Found Pus Filled Bump On Back. Could It Be Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Posted on Fri, 14 Dec 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 Answered on

Fri, 4 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I definitely need an opinion. I had a bump on my back I felt on Monday night. My mom said it was a pimple so she popped it and it had clear fluid coming out of it. It got very red and inflammed and now is red and oozy around the boarders and raised in the middle. It does not look good at all, and I'm worried its basal cell carcinoma and not a pimple. I left a bandaid on it and it ooze yellow fluid on the bandaid as well

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the image attached. A clearer and closer picture would have been more helpful. It seems to be a blocked and infected hair follicle - folliculitis. However, a direct examination is an integral part of diagnosis.
It is likely to improve over a few days with proper antibiotics which you can get prescribed from your dermatologist.
It does not seem to be anything related to a malignancy like good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply.. I have attached another picture for you to see
Thanks,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (32 minutes later)

Thanks for the better images. It seems to be a superficial infection only which is likely to subside in next 5-7 days. Please do not worry.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (19 hours later)

I am afraid that there was a raised freckle where I thought a pimple was and I accidentally picked the mole thinking it was a pimple. It is possible for a freckle to bleed and puss out clear fluid and then become infected like in my photos? I am almost positive I had a raised freckle in the area of the wound

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

The mole if picked can cause bleeding and the area can become infected if left exposed to air. This seems to be a minor skin infection only.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar