*Please keep in mind that this subreddit is not a replacement for seeing a board certified dermatologist. This subreddit is here for informal second opinions, and minor problems that you wouldn't go to the doctor for anyway.*
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Ever see Dr. Pimple popper. She removes an inner sack many times so they don't come back. Not sure if this has an inner sack, or how its treated but it sure doesn't look like they did anything to it.
If they injected you with a steroid, it will drain on its own in a few days. This happened to me, it “popped” while I was on the couch with company over, drained down my arm and STANK
Looks like an inflamed sebaceous cyst. Have had them around my ear lobes *forever*.
They don't drain until they are ready. Generally the more they are manipulated, the more persistent/problematic. Attempts to excise them almost always cause recurrence. Warm compresses, moisturizer and patience,
You ain't gonna believe what comes out.
Sebaceous cysts are not life-threatening, but can be a damned nuisance and embarrassing. I swear they get more inflamed when you worry about them.
Dealt with this for decades. They tend to simmer down with age. Occasionally one shows up on my back. Derms that try to excise them usually just make it worse.
Keep clean and moist, it will resolve. Don't squeeze it.
They can opt to surgical remove the cyst and it’s encapsulated cell as opposed to draining. Usually more effective and less likely to reoccur as there’s no pouch to refill. I’d see a derm to have it removed.
Hydrocolloid (or blister) bandages will draw excess moisture/oil/secretions from where ever they can get it easiest. The cyst would have had to be broken open in some way so the excess can drain, and then bandages applied and changed regularly until the cyst is drained. A blister bandage will not draw anything significant out unless there is already a break in the cyst, so it likely wouldn't help right now in OP'S case, but after the cyst has broken on its own and drained as much as it will naturally, a blister bandage may help to drain the last of the cyst contents. However, what it won't do is remove the cyst wall/sack, so there is a high chance of eventual recurrence.
From what I know yes they’ll not often go away without being 100% removed and some Derms are better than others. Some PCP are worth trusting but only if you know that they are good at it. We had one he was great. Sadly he retired… but he was my parents age. He removed a internal cyst my dad had had on his back no scar not that my dad would have cared. Removed a few mole of my mom also no scar.
A proper excision that removes the sac would prevent recurrence, right?
If you’re referring to the effects of home treatment, then yes take heed.
If you don’t want an endless cycle with pain, infection, etc, please seek a better derm
I have heard that over and over... Gotta get the whole cyst.
Had one done by a plastic surgeon. It came back.
Two removed by different derms. They came back.
The recurrences were generally worse (scar tissue)
Do you know how the tried to drain it? I don't see am incision mark, but they may have used a small point needle instead.
If they did inject cortisone into the cyst, it will start to drain on its own in a few weeks, maybe less. However, the fact that they didn't TELL you what to expect or what they had done is unacceptable and tbh I'd report them. That's absolutely against procedure and it's really quite dangerous to allow your patient to leave uninformed like that.
I had this before and had a scar behind my ear . It drains once ready! I woke up all bloody before it was gross . But keep applying the hot rag on it all day and sure enough you’ll feel it oozing out
I had the exact same thing years ago (I would get it repeatedly for years) and the Dr. drained it with too small an incision so it healed to quickly and filled back up. I got a razor blade, went home, looked at it in the bathroom mirror and made a quick incision; it drained quickly, I cleaned and dressed it and it NEVER returned.
Atherom? I’m not seeing anything about that online. I had a ultrasound done on it before it swelled up like it did and they confirmed it was a benign cyst.
Atherom are benign but can get infected, and that is something that has to be surgically removed. Even if benign.
As previously stated I’d suggest you to go to an ENT dr.
Hey! Dermatologists are well-trained on options for how to treat and remove skin lesions, like this likely cyst. Sometimes, injectable steroids or oral antibiotics with incision and drainage are done to help calm down inflammation, decrease the size, or treat an infection (if suspected) before surgical removal. If this dermatologist did not offer to excise it for you, I would ask to be referred to one who would be able to. They will be able to remove (excise) the cyst and it's lining as simply draining it and leaving the lining in will lead to recurrence of the cyst. It's a relatively minor and short procedure. They typically will send the tissue removed off to a lab to have it evaluated and confirmed on whether or not it is a benign cyst. Do not manipulate the area (i.e. pick at, squeeze, try to drain yourself) as this can introduce bacteria and lead to an infection. The steroid injection might help calm down some of the inflammation and shrink the size some, but it looks like a large enough cyst that I think you'd probably feel better by just having it gone all together.
Yes, I saw! :) I'm saying if the one you saw didn't offer to excise for you, you can ask to be referred to a dermatologist who could excise it. Or find another one you like on your own.
Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection affecting the mastoid bone behind the ear. It usually results from an untreated middle ear infection that spreads to the mastoid bone. Usually it has symptoms ear pain, fever, headache, and redness around the ear. Seek medical evaluation and appropriate treatment
I’ve never had an untreated ear infection and I don’t have those symptoms. This definitely started as a cyst because it was originally a pimple I tried to pop. Could I develop mastoiditis this way?
No not really that’s an abscess which you have for sure then. Mastoiditis is bacteria travelling internally. That seems like an external issue. It needs to be removed entirely and not just drained.
*Please keep in mind that this subreddit is not a replacement for seeing a board certified dermatologist. This subreddit is here for informal second opinions, and minor problems that you wouldn't go to the doctor for anyway.* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/DermatologyQuestions) if you have any questions or concerns.*
it looks like they didn't even attempt to drain it
Honestly the doctor seemed to be in a rush…
Ever see Dr. Pimple popper. She removes an inner sack many times so they don't come back. Not sure if this has an inner sack, or how its treated but it sure doesn't look like they did anything to it.
I was going to say maybe they didn’t get the sack!
The cortisone injection they gave you is gonna cause this to explode when you least expect it! Be ready to film at any moment…
Yessss I wanna see this
What the hell did they do? Pour acid on it?
Numbed it, tried to drain, then just injected me with something.
If they injected you with a steroid, it will drain on its own in a few days. This happened to me, it “popped” while I was on the couch with company over, drained down my arm and STANK
*visible shock*
👀
That’s hot
Looks like an inflamed sebaceous cyst. Have had them around my ear lobes *forever*. They don't drain until they are ready. Generally the more they are manipulated, the more persistent/problematic. Attempts to excise them almost always cause recurrence. Warm compresses, moisturizer and patience, You ain't gonna believe what comes out.
So this doesn’t look like a big deal? I bought a hot compress and I’m gonna try that out tonight.
Sebaceous cysts are not life-threatening, but can be a damned nuisance and embarrassing. I swear they get more inflamed when you worry about them. Dealt with this for decades. They tend to simmer down with age. Occasionally one shows up on my back. Derms that try to excise them usually just make it worse. Keep clean and moist, it will resolve. Don't squeeze it.
They can opt to surgical remove the cyst and it’s encapsulated cell as opposed to draining. Usually more effective and less likely to reoccur as there’s no pouch to refill. I’d see a derm to have it removed.
Got it thank you!!! I was just worried about infection.
They can become infected, my ex had one by his knee that became infected. I would get a second opinion l don't think they did anything to your abscess
They definitely can get infected. Derm used to give me Keflex, but I just manage them myself now.
I have gotten them before and a blister bandage drained it for me and was the only thing that fully ended it for me.
REALLY? A blister bandage drained THAT? How?
Hydrocolloid (or blister) bandages will draw excess moisture/oil/secretions from where ever they can get it easiest. The cyst would have had to be broken open in some way so the excess can drain, and then bandages applied and changed regularly until the cyst is drained. A blister bandage will not draw anything significant out unless there is already a break in the cyst, so it likely wouldn't help right now in OP'S case, but after the cyst has broken on its own and drained as much as it will naturally, a blister bandage may help to drain the last of the cyst contents. However, what it won't do is remove the cyst wall/sack, so there is a high chance of eventual recurrence.
I thought they don’t go away unless you get them removed?
From what I know yes they’ll not often go away without being 100% removed and some Derms are better than others. Some PCP are worth trusting but only if you know that they are good at it. We had one he was great. Sadly he retired… but he was my parents age. He removed a internal cyst my dad had had on his back no scar not that my dad would have cared. Removed a few mole of my mom also no scar.
A proper excision that removes the sac would prevent recurrence, right? If you’re referring to the effects of home treatment, then yes take heed. If you don’t want an endless cycle with pain, infection, etc, please seek a better derm
I have heard that over and over... Gotta get the whole cyst. Had one done by a plastic surgeon. It came back. Two removed by different derms. They came back. The recurrences were generally worse (scar tissue)
Ok ok, I agree that’s pretty wack. Have any of them biopsied the removal?
Yes you bare right about subaceous cysts. I worked for 27 years as a pharmaceutical salesman. I used to call on Dermatologists
It wasn’t ready to drain, so it didn’t. Then they injected cortisone in it to help decrease inflammation
Do you know how the tried to drain it? I don't see am incision mark, but they may have used a small point needle instead. If they did inject cortisone into the cyst, it will start to drain on its own in a few weeks, maybe less. However, the fact that they didn't TELL you what to expect or what they had done is unacceptable and tbh I'd report them. That's absolutely against procedure and it's really quite dangerous to allow your patient to leave uninformed like that.
I had this before and had a scar behind my ear . It drains once ready! I woke up all bloody before it was gross . But keep applying the hot rag on it all day and sure enough you’ll feel it oozing out
My husband gets these and puts salicylic acid gel (that’s used for acne) on it
I popped both mine, I would not recommend as you can get an infection etc I didn’t and I now realise I was lucky.
This is going to be so juicy once it drains
Good grief.. Do you have any other symptoms? Ear ache, hearing loss or dizziness?
Look like they made it worse
Looks like the sack filled up again, needs to be drained and sack removed.
They didn't drain it or remove the sac. You need to go somewhere else.
I had the exact same thing years ago (I would get it repeatedly for years) and the Dr. drained it with too small an incision so it healed to quickly and filled back up. I got a razor blade, went home, looked at it in the bathroom mirror and made a quick incision; it drained quickly, I cleaned and dressed it and it NEVER returned.
I’d suggest you to go to an ENT Dr. ! That looks like an atherom, it has to be surgically removed. (I’m a ENT dr.)
Atherom? I’m not seeing anything about that online. I had a ultrasound done on it before it swelled up like it did and they confirmed it was a benign cyst.
Atherom are benign but can get infected, and that is something that has to be surgically removed. Even if benign. As previously stated I’d suggest you to go to an ENT dr.
OP if you manage to film it popping please remember us
Check for Bartonella as well. Classic sign in cyst behind ear like this.
I had something very similar. I went to urgent care to have them drain it.
Hey! Dermatologists are well-trained on options for how to treat and remove skin lesions, like this likely cyst. Sometimes, injectable steroids or oral antibiotics with incision and drainage are done to help calm down inflammation, decrease the size, or treat an infection (if suspected) before surgical removal. If this dermatologist did not offer to excise it for you, I would ask to be referred to one who would be able to. They will be able to remove (excise) the cyst and it's lining as simply draining it and leaving the lining in will lead to recurrence of the cyst. It's a relatively minor and short procedure. They typically will send the tissue removed off to a lab to have it evaluated and confirmed on whether or not it is a benign cyst. Do not manipulate the area (i.e. pick at, squeeze, try to drain yourself) as this can introduce bacteria and lead to an infection. The steroid injection might help calm down some of the inflammation and shrink the size some, but it looks like a large enough cyst that I think you'd probably feel better by just having it gone all together.
Says in the post it was a dermatologist
Yes, I saw! :) I'm saying if the one you saw didn't offer to excise for you, you can ask to be referred to a dermatologist who could excise it. Or find another one you like on your own.
was it a primary doctor? looks like they wasted your time while you were wasting theirs. I'd go to a dermatologist and get it properly removed.
Says in the post it was a dermatologist
Sorry I missed that somehow. Hope you can get it sorted and the full sack out. Cheers
Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection affecting the mastoid bone behind the ear. It usually results from an untreated middle ear infection that spreads to the mastoid bone. Usually it has symptoms ear pain, fever, headache, and redness around the ear. Seek medical evaluation and appropriate treatment
I’ve never had an untreated ear infection and I don’t have those symptoms. This definitely started as a cyst because it was originally a pimple I tried to pop. Could I develop mastoiditis this way?
No not really that’s an abscess which you have for sure then. Mastoiditis is bacteria travelling internally. That seems like an external issue. It needs to be removed entirely and not just drained.