Bump on the neck
December 4, 2009 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr.med. Tobias Theben
Hello, I have had a bump on the back of my neck, on the right side, for 2-3 years. At the beginning, it was very large, about 3 times bigger than it is now. I went to the doctor and he said it was just a pimple. I tried to squeeze it out, and small white pieces came out that smelled bad. As the bump got smaller over time, I worried less. Occasionally, I still try to squeeze it and only the same white stuff comes out, but in small amounts, which also smells bad. In my opinion, the bump doesn't feel like a pimple, it is deeper under the skin and very hard. Do you have any idea what it could be? Is it dangerous?
Dear Patient,
The described bump on the neck, from which white pieces are emptying, is most likely a sebaceous cyst, also known as a sebum cyst.
These are sac-like, slowly growing small sebum-filled sacs under the skin that develop when sebaceous glands cannot empty properly, often in individuals with thicker hair. Sebaceous cysts often develop on the head, but also on the face, neck, and along the so-called "sweat groove", starting at the neck, where many waste products of the body (cellular debris) traditionally accumulate.
Unfortunately, the only remedy is surgical removal of this sebum cyst. This should also be done preventively, as sebaceous cysts tend to eventually become infected and then become purulent. They usually do not heal with mere external applications. It should be ensured during the surgery that the entire sebaceous cyst is removed, as leaving small remnants can lead to the formation of a new one.
If you have had a sebaceous cyst before, there is unfortunately an increased risk of developing more - so be prepared - beyond the normal level of good body hygiene, there is unfortunately not much that can be done preventively.
I wish you a speedy recovery, as the problem, as you describe it, is unlikely to be permanently resolved without intervention.
Yours sincerely, Tobias Theben
