What Does A Painful Bump On The Back Of The Head Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2015

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

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a small bump on the back of my head abut 2 inches from my ear, the pain is really bad. went to the doctor and was told he thinks it is a cyst under the skin. He suggested warm compresses, was up all night and by the morning pain seems to go away. Now it is back again and seems to have moved closer to my ear kind of behind the ear. should i asked the doctor for anibiotics. we really don't know for sure what it is.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Depends upon type of disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank You for contacting HCM. My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Most common differential in your case is sebaceous cyst & abscess. If its a sebaceous cyst then it is a benign condition that causes no harm BUT treatment includes surgical excision under local anesthesia. While if its an abscess then it gets resolved by use of antibiotic therapy. If your local doctor confirmed it as a cyst then management would be done by a general surgeon while in case of abscess, antibiotic therapy be taken.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

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