Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Have A Hard Spot On Head. Have Discharge From That Hard Spot Often. What Can It Be?

Have noticed a hard spot on the top of my head above the ear feels like a tightness which stretches from the spot to the back of my neck right behind my ear where my hairline ends, sometimes the spot is soft and I had held a heating pad to it on high for a few days and afterwards had noticed a discharge that was hard sort of like the dead skin after a scar heals and was easily removable u cannot tell that there is an issue just by looking or feeling that section of my head
Thu, 2 May 2013
Report Abuse
Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to HCM.
After reading your query I can make out two of the diagnosis as you haven't told us exact time since the hard spot is their and any symptoms of pain or redness over the same.
1. Infected Sebaceous cyst: this is due to a blockage in a sebaceous gland(produce oil in the skin) which leads to collection of cheezy material in it. It is not accompanied by any pain or redness in general if it is not infected.
2. Pyoderma/ Folliculitis- This is again due to blockage in a sebaceous gland but along with inflammation and infection of hair root. It is accompanied by pain and redness.
As you applied heating pad over any of the above so it caused discharge to come out of it. Any how don't try to scratch it or pinch it, if still there is pain or discharge then can take pain killer or antibiotic under medical guidance and also avoid heating pads as it can cause further inflammation and other complications.
Hope this information will help you
Dr Sanjay K Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Back pain


Loading Online Doctors....
Have A Hard Spot On Head. Have Discharge From That Hard Spot Often. What Can It Be?

Hi, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to HCM. After reading your query I can make out two of the diagnosis as you haven t told us exact time since the hard spot is their and any symptoms of pain or redness over the same. 1. Infected Sebaceous cyst: this is due to a blockage in a sebaceous gland(produce oil in the skin) which leads to collection of cheezy material in it. It is not accompanied by any pain or redness in general if it is not infected. 2. Pyoderma/ Folliculitis- This is again due to blockage in a sebaceous gland but along with inflammation and infection of hair root. It is accompanied by pain and redness. As you applied heating pad over any of the above so it caused discharge to come out of it. Any how don t try to scratch it or pinch it, if still there is pain or discharge then can take pain killer or antibiotic under medical guidance and also avoid heating pads as it can cause further inflammation and other complications. Hope this information will help you Dr Sanjay K Kanodia MD (Dermatology)