How Do You Treat a Large Infected Bump in the Pit of Your Arm Where You Shoot Up

Skin Cysts, Lumps, and Bumps

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop just about anywhere on the body, but not every skin bump or lump is a cyst. Find out how to tell the difference, and how to get treatment for cysts, lumps, or bumps that are bothering you.

A cyst is a closed pocket under the skin filled with some type of fluid or other material. Cysts may form inside the body (for example, on the ovaries in women) or on the outside, such as under the skin. Lots of skin bumps, though, are not truly cysts, even though many people commonly refer to them that way. These hard nodules that appear beneath your skin may be cause for concern, but most of them are harmless. However, cancerous cysts do occur, so have any growth that is causing you pain or increasing in size diagnosed by a doctor. How a cyst is treated will depend on what kind of cyst it is and whether its presence is limiting you in any way.

Epidermoid Cysts

These types of skin cysts are very common, usually popping up on the face, neck, or trunk. Epidermoid cysts are lined with cells that produce keratin, a cheesy-white protein that fills and stretches the cyst. What can be done to treat epidermoid cysts? They may not need any treatment if they stay small, but epidermoid cysts enlarge or become inflamed, they may need to opened and drained, and the cyst wall completely removed.

Cherry Angiomas

Cherry angiomas are quite common, but they're not really cysts. Though it's not understood why they occur, they seem to happen more frequently to people over the age of 30. Cherry angiomas are dilated overgrowths of tiny blood vessels, bright red in color and smooth in texture. They don't require any treatment, but if you don't like the way they look, they can be removed via surgery, a laser, or a burning or freezing procedure.

Dermatofibromas

A dermatofibroma, or fibrous histiocytoma, is another type of skin bump that's very common, not cancerous, and also not a true cyst. A dermatofibroma is a hard bump that generally forms on an arm or leg in a spot where the skin has been damaged in some way (perhaps bitten by a bug or stuck by a thorn), but in many cases, it's not clear why dermatofibromas occur. They vary in color from yellow to brown to pink. Dermatofibromas are not a threat to your health, so they don't need to be treated. While they can be removed via freezing, this procedure may leave a scar.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a condition that occurs when hair follicles anywhere on the body become inflamed and infected as a result of irritation from friction (something rubbing against them). A small cyst can form at the site of an inflamed hair follicle, creating a hard little pimple that may be covered with a crusty film; other symptoms include itching and a rash. Folliculitis is an infection, so topical or oral antibiotics are often how to treat a cyst of this type. Applying warm, damp compresses can help drain the infection from the affected follicle.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is characterized by tiny, hard bumps that occur in groups on the skin. These tiny skin bumps most often appear on the outside of the upper arms and the thighs, but may develop anywhere on the body when keratin hardens within hair follicles. The bumps are usually flesh-colored, but may be slightly pink. Risk factors for keratosis pilaris include a family history of the condition, dry skin, and atopic dermatitis. Keratosis pilaris may get better as you get older, but topical treatments that include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin, urea, lactic acid, or other peeling agents may help to reduce its appearance.

Keratoacanthoma

Also called a KA, a keratoacanthoma is a non-cancerous skin growth quite common in older adults with light-colored skin. These bumps suddenly appear, grow quickly (to as large as several centimeters in diameter within weeks), and then eventually disappear, leaving a scar. They can show up on the arms, hands, midsection, or face. Keratoacanthomas often occur in people who have had too much sun exposure. Because it can be hard to differentiate them from squamous cell skin cancer, keratoacanthomas should be evaluated and treated with surgery or a topical cream that destroys these skin cells.

Lipomas

Lipomas appears as a soft, pliable lump of fat under the skin and are often found on the back, shoulders, neck, or arms. These extremely common skin lumps occur for a number of reasons, including prior injury to the area, but there may be a hereditary link. Lipomas most often strike people between the ages of 40 and 60. They aren't dangerous and don't require treatment, but surgery, liposuction, or a steroid shot may be used to help get rid of them. Rarely, a cancerous growth can at first appear to be a simple lipoma.

Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts typically form in the wrist adjacent to nerves. Just about anyone can develop a ganglion cyst, and doctors don't know what causes them. They're extremely common, but generally nothing to worry about — they are not cancerous. However, ganglion cysts may be painful, and symptoms can vary greatly — some may be soft to the touch, while others feel like a hard little bump. Ganglion cysts only need to be treated if they are painful or keep you from activities. Surgery may remove the cyst; non-surgical treatment options include wearing a splint and taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Neurofibromas

A neurofibroma is a non-cancerous tumor that can form from nerves found just below the skin's surface. The cause of neurofibromas is unknown, but they're most common in younger adults and may appear in groups. Surgery is often needed to treat a neurofibroma; the extent of the surgery will depend on the location of the skin cyst and whether it is affecting any major nerves.

How Do You Treat a Large Infected Bump in the Pit of Your Arm Where You Shoot Up

Source: https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/is-it-a-cyst-or-something-else.aspx

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