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Suggest Treatment For Raised Spot On The Arm
Posted on
Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Answered on
Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have a spot on my arm that is the size of a small pea. It is raised off the skin, has a reddish ring and milky white center. It does NOT itch or hurt. I think I had an ingrown hair there at one point but I can't really recall ...
Brief Answer:
It looks like a small local infection.
Detailed Answer:
Sometimes the site of hair follicles can become infected. This looks like a small local infection with pus in it. I would recommend that you apply moist heat to it several times a day. This can be done by holding the area under very warm (hot but not so hot that it will burn your skin) water for several minutes, or applying a washcloth soaked in hot water (you can do this in the sink, frequently reheating the cloth under the hot water). Most bacteria have very specific temperatures that they can multiply in, and the heat will not be favorable to them. Also, this brings more blood to the area, with white blood cells that will kill the bacteria. Do this for a few days until it is apparent that the boil is resolving.
If the boil starts to get worse instead of better, I'd advise you go to a clinic where they will XXXXXXX it under aseptic conditions and allow it to drain.
Topical antibiotics are ok, but may not be able to penetrate the closed skin to get to the bacteria.
Oral antibiotics, which they may recommend if you go in to get it drained, should be avoided unless it is obvious that the infection is spreading.
So try heat several times a day (before work, lunch time, after work, bedtime) for 3 days and see if it starts to resolve.
I hope this information helps.
It looks like a small local infection.
Detailed Answer:
Sometimes the site of hair follicles can become infected. This looks like a small local infection with pus in it. I would recommend that you apply moist heat to it several times a day. This can be done by holding the area under very warm (hot but not so hot that it will burn your skin) water for several minutes, or applying a washcloth soaked in hot water (you can do this in the sink, frequently reheating the cloth under the hot water). Most bacteria have very specific temperatures that they can multiply in, and the heat will not be favorable to them. Also, this brings more blood to the area, with white blood cells that will kill the bacteria. Do this for a few days until it is apparent that the boil is resolving.
If the boil starts to get worse instead of better, I'd advise you go to a clinic where they will XXXXXXX it under aseptic conditions and allow it to drain.
Topical antibiotics are ok, but may not be able to penetrate the closed skin to get to the bacteria.
Oral antibiotics, which they may recommend if you go in to get it drained, should be avoided unless it is obvious that the infection is spreading.
So try heat several times a day (before work, lunch time, after work, bedtime) for 3 days and see if it starts to resolve.
I hope this information helps.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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