Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. By your description, you may have developed folliculitis/infection of the hair follicles in the area, leading to the lumps also responsible for the swollen lymph nodes. Hair loss in the area would be due to the drying up of the infected area during healing. In this case, it will grow back. There may be underlying dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, any trauma, parasitic infections (lice, etc.), and allergic dermatitis that could have started it. Other conditions of hair fall with scarring must be ruled out. Keep a check for similar complaints in family or contacts. Any increase when exposed to sunlight or outdoors (dust, pollen), any history of allergies, any recent cosmetic procedure, dye/colouring? You will need a course of oral antibiotics like Augmentin and apply antibiotic cream with fusidic acid. Any discharge or scabs to be gently cleaned before application. Review with a dermatologist if there is no improvement in 2 to 3 days to rule out other causes. A blood check may be required to check infection and also blood sugar levels, and to rule out other causes as required by doctor. Any discharge may be sent for culture and sensitivity test. For pain and/or fever treat with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol as needed. Do follow-up with a dermatologist. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Dinah Levillard