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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Be Concerned For Lump Under The Skin That Releases Pus?

I have had a lump under my skin for about a year. Yesterday morning when I got out of the shower it looks like there was a white head on the lump. I squeezed it and white thick smelly pus came out even though the lump appears to be gone, I was still able to squeeze pus out last night and this morning. What is this and should I be concerned?
Tue, 7 Jan 2014
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
From your description, you seem to be having a cyst called as a sebaceous cyst. It is a collection of sebum( oil gland secretion) along with the skin cells under the skin. It could rupture on its own or after manipulation to discharge thick, smelly contents. If left on its own, it could get infected. It is better to get it excised by a dermatosurgeon or a general surgeon. It is not an emergency but since it will not resolve on its own, you have to eventually get it removed.
Hope this answers your query.
Take care.
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Should I Be Concerned For Lump Under The Skin That Releases Pus?

Hello, Welcome to healthcare magic. From your description, you seem to be having a cyst called as a sebaceous cyst. It is a collection of sebum( oil gland secretion) along with the skin cells under the skin. It could rupture on its own or after manipulation to discharge thick, smelly contents. If left on its own, it could get infected. It is better to get it excised by a dermatosurgeon or a general surgeon. It is not an emergency but since it will not resolve on its own, you have to eventually get it removed. Hope this answers your query. Take care.