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What Causes Small And Hard Lump On Back Of Head?
Question: Hello. My daughter is 18 yrs old and today she noticed a lump on the back of her head along the hair lining. I felt it and it is a small hard lump. She complains that it hurts but with a tense sensation. It just starting hurting today. She is concerned of what it might be. What do you think it can be? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Most probably a sebaceous cyst.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query about your daughter who is 18 years old.
To recapitulate: Your daughter noticed a small hard lump on the back of her head along the hair line - hurts with a tense sensation starting today - concerned.
The commonest reasons or such a lump at the hairline is a sebaceous cyst and the feeling of tight sensation indicates that there may be mild infection making it tight today and hence noticed too.
I would advise you to keep it under observation. If it shows further symptoms and signs of infection like enlargement in size, pain, tenderness, redness or so, consult your Doctor as she needs an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines.
If no further progress or if it regresses, it may resolve over some time.
Other rare reason can be a lymph node and usually secondary to scalp infection of some nature like dandruff, seborrhoic dermatitis and so on.
If she has a healthy scalp this may not be a lymph node.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Most probably a sebaceous cyst.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query about your daughter who is 18 years old.
To recapitulate: Your daughter noticed a small hard lump on the back of her head along the hair line - hurts with a tense sensation starting today - concerned.
The commonest reasons or such a lump at the hairline is a sebaceous cyst and the feeling of tight sensation indicates that there may be mild infection making it tight today and hence noticed too.
I would advise you to keep it under observation. If it shows further symptoms and signs of infection like enlargement in size, pain, tenderness, redness or so, consult your Doctor as she needs an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines.
If no further progress or if it regresses, it may resolve over some time.
Other rare reason can be a lymph node and usually secondary to scalp infection of some nature like dandruff, seborrhoic dermatitis and so on.
If she has a healthy scalp this may not be a lymph node.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My daughter says the lump hurts all the time and especially when she swallows, the lump hurts
Brief Answer:
Clinical evaluation, investigations and prescription
Detailed Answer:
This is a worry then, if there is a constant pain - hurts all the time and especially when she swallows.
I would advise her to visit a Doctor, get a clinical evaluation, Ultrasonography and FNAC if seen as a lymph node and a prescription based medicines for the symptoms (patient says) and the signs (the Doctor will see).
Clinical evaluation, investigations and prescription
Detailed Answer:
This is a worry then, if there is a constant pain - hurts all the time and especially when she swallows.
I would advise her to visit a Doctor, get a clinical evaluation, Ultrasonography and FNAC if seen as a lymph node and a prescription based medicines for the symptoms (patient says) and the signs (the Doctor will see).
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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