Painful Lump On The Side Of The Head. Flaky Skin. What Is It?

Posted on Tue, 22 May 2012

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

Tue, 22 May 2012 Answered on

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : i have a lump on the left side of my head at the base of my skull that has been there about 2 years now. skin flakes off of it like dandruff. it is painful to the touch & about 1 inch in diameter. do you know what this might be? I am 60 years old.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The lump on the scalp that is painful and scaly is likely to be due to seborrheic dermatitis or sebaceous cysts or a scalp fungal infection. Scalp cyst or folliculitis are the other possibilities.
A direct examination by a dermatologist will help in the proper diagnosis. The treatment will depend on the cause.
Applying a clotrimazole- betamethasone cream after hot fomentation on the area may provide you some symptomatic relief for short term.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

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