Painful lump on scalp

Aoi Tsuki

A few inches from my left ear, under my hair, is a little lump about the size of a pea, maybe a little bigger. It's been there a while - anywhere from months to years, can't even remember how long I've been idly poking at it - and it's never bothered me...till last night, when I scratched that area and was surprised to find it hurt like hell. It keeps smarting for a few minutes after I've poked it, too. Wikipedia seems to indicate that it's probably a pilar cyst (Web MD is too interested in ladyparts cysts for me to find any useful info on scalp ones) that's gotten infected.

So, my question to you guys: will this go away on its own? Or do I need to go get it evaluated for possible removal/antibiotics? That would be expensive at the moment, as we probably won't get our new insurance cards anytime within the next couple of weeks.

Paladin

you can probably wait till you get your insurance as long as you keep a mental note to check out a dermatologist or primary care provider as soon as you get the card. It would help to know if you have family members that have it or if it exists in other areas. Try not to fool with it or bring it into contact with any trauma, as it probably can't be removed while infected, if that's what it is. Based on the location and what I assume is an image analysis, you're probably right, but it could be an epidermoid cyst or other, which needs a physician to confirm and treat as there may be complications. Of course, if any rapid change occurs in its appearance or nature or you start feeling general symptoms you should think about your options to see a doctor sooner.

bowen

It won't go away on it's own. And it probably is a pilar cyst (it doesn't necessary have to be infected to hurt when touched).

You can, as paladin said, wait until your cards show up. A week or two probably isn't going to change anything.

supabeast

You can call your insurance company and get them to give you your plan information over the phone. They might also be able to send you a PDF of a card.

y2jake215

I had the same sort of thing, it turned out to be a cyst. I tried to ignore it, it leaked intermittently for months until I finally accidentally popped it, went to a dermatologist, and got it drained. I should've scheduled to have it removed then, but I waited. It came back about 5 months later, did the same thing, only worse, and eventually hair started to fall out around it.

I'd go see a dermatologist as soon as you're able, but yeah, a few weeks for the insurance cards to show up won't make that much of a difference - I waited months and months the first time. You most likely won't need any antibiotics either. They'll probably just ask you if you want them to drain it or make an appointment to remove it. For me it was a relatively painless procedure that took about 15 minutes.

Aoi Tsuki

Good to hear. I wish it wasn't buried under so much hair; our best guess is that it's not quite the same color as my skin.