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Have Nickel Sized Irregular Red Blotch On Back And Spine. How To Treat It?

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Posted on Fri, 2 Nov 2012
Question: my 11 year old healthy daughter has a nickel-sized irregular red bumpy blotch in the middle of her back, on the spine. it has a whitehead looking XXXXXXX within the red area, but not in the center. what could it be and how should i treat it?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Asra Ishtiaq Ahmed (3 hours later)
Hello there,

Thanks for writing to us.

Considering that the area involved is the middle of her back, I would highly appreciate if you provide me a photograph of the same. You may use the site's uploader to post a picture there.

It is a prerequisite to rule out any underlying spinal problem like myelomeningocele i.e. a spina bifida at one end of the spectrum to something less dramatic like a sebaceous cyst or a lipoma. A spina bifida would have persisted as a swelling since birth. A lipoma is a painless and mobile swelling that can either remain of the same size or progressively grow and become grossly evident. A sebaceous cyst is a skin coloured swelling and keeps recurring at the same place, has a "white head" as you mentioned and is usually associated with slight yellowish white discharge. It could just be a boil but such swellings are painful and regular in shape.

So in order to be absolutely sure, please provide a clear photo so that we can guide you regarding further management.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Asra Ishtiaq Ahmed

OBGYN

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 689 Questions

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Have Nickel Sized Irregular Red Blotch On Back And Spine. How To Treat It?

Hello there,

Thanks for writing to us.

Considering that the area involved is the middle of her back, I would highly appreciate if you provide me a photograph of the same. You may use the site's uploader to post a picture there.

It is a prerequisite to rule out any underlying spinal problem like myelomeningocele i.e. a spina bifida at one end of the spectrum to something less dramatic like a sebaceous cyst or a lipoma. A spina bifida would have persisted as a swelling since birth. A lipoma is a painless and mobile swelling that can either remain of the same size or progressively grow and become grossly evident. A sebaceous cyst is a skin coloured swelling and keeps recurring at the same place, has a "white head" as you mentioned and is usually associated with slight yellowish white discharge. It could just be a boil but such swellings are painful and regular in shape.

So in order to be absolutely sure, please provide a clear photo so that we can guide you regarding further management.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Take care