OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Seeking Insights on This Skin Mass

6/20/2025, 4:20:26 PMMale25-34

My dermatologist suspects that I have an epidermal inclusion cyst, but I'm uncertain about its placement.

WellnessFamily MedicineInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

6/20/2025, 4:20:41 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you have a lot on your mind regarding the skin mass your dermatologist suspects is an epidermal inclusion cyst. It's completely understandable to feel uncertain, especially about something related to your health.

Key Points:

  • An epidermal inclusion cyst is usually a harmless bump under the skin that forms from a blocked hair follicle or skin pore. They are often round, firm, and may feel soft to the touch.
  • While they typically do not cause serious health issues, understanding their features and placement is important for diagnosis and treatment.

Explanation: Epidermal inclusion cysts are common and can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most frequently found on the face, neck, torso, and sometimes the scalp. They can sometimes become inflamed or infected, which may cause discomfort, but they often do not require treatment unless they cause symptoms or for cosmetic reasons.

Next Steps:

  1. Observe the Cyst: Take note of its size, color, and any changes such as redness or pain. This can help you convey crucial information during your next visit.
  2. Avoid Squeezing or Picking: It's important to keep your hands off the cyst to prevent irritation or potential infection.
  3. Follow Up with Your Dermatologist: If there's any change in your cyst (size, discomfort, etc.), be sure to report this to your dermatologist at your next appointment.
  4. Ask Questions: When you meet with your dermatologist next, don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions to clarify your uncertainties about the cyst's nature and the recommended next steps.

If you have more concerns or symptoms, please share them, and I can provide further guidance!

Related Questions

Understanding the Absence of Hunger Signals

I am a 25-year-old Caucasian woman, standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds. I do not take any medications and have no underlying health issues, although I do smoke. Lately, I have noticed a strange absence of what I consider typical hunger sensations. The feeling of hunger in my stomach rarely occurs and, when it does, it vanishes quite quickly. Occasionally, I find myself feeling extremely fatigued, dizzy, or lightheaded, prompting me to lie down. In these moments, after I eat, I realize that I had indeed been hungry, even though my stomach hadn’t indicated it. When I start eating, I either feel satiated very quickly or still find myself feeling hungry. This seems to happen when I have not consumed a sufficient amount of nutrients, or perhaps my stomach simply failed to communicate my hunger. I tend to encounter three distinct scenarios related to my energy levels, which I'll summarize under the umbrella of tiredness: 1. I experience no hunger sensations, along with no fatigue or other symptoms. 2. I notice a brief feeling of hunger, which may or may not be accompanied by tiredness. 3. I have no indications of hunger but feel tired; upon eating, my stomach finally starts to register the hunger once I begin consuming food. My diet mainly consists of home-cooked meals that I consider healthy, but I also indulge in fast food and homemade sweets occasionally. Typically, I consume two meals a day, skipping breakfast as I don’t feel hungry until lunchtime. I usually rise around 5 am, which is too early for my appetite to kick in. Is it typical to not experience hunger signals in your stomach?

NutritionAgingWellness
Male25-34
5 minutes ago

Effects of Pantoprazole on CBC and CMP Results

Hello everyone! I’m a 34-year-old male from the USA weighing 200 lbs, and I’ve been prescribed Pantoprazole to manage my symptoms related to silent reflux. My rheumatologist has requested that I undergo a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) as part of my routine health monitoring. My concern is whether the use of Pantoprazole might interfere with or alter the results of these tests. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

WellnessFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
6 minutes ago

Understanding the Burning Sensation in My Back

At 29 years old, I’ve recently started to feel an unsettling burning and prickling discomfort in my back that has persisted for several hours. This sensation is quite alarming, bordering on itchiness, yet I can’t find any visible wounds, bruises, or insect bites that could explain it. Additionally, as someone who has been diagnosed as prediabetic, I can’t help but wonder if this might hint at an onset of diabetes. My anxiety is growing since it seems to be happening more frequently.

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
26 minutes ago

Is This Practice Safe?

I have a query that might be best suited for a pharmacist: Recently, I came across a discussion in another forum regarding someone who opened a Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) capsule, mixed it with water, and consumed it gradually throughout the day. They mentioned taking approximately 40% of the contents first thing in the morning, then dosing little by little thereafter, instead of swallowing the capsule all at once in the morning. I’m curious if this method is deemed safe? I plan to speak with my prescribing physician if I consider trying it out, but I couldn’t help but wonder if this is a common practice among others. What do you think? For context, I am a 26-year-old woman, 5’1”, currently prescribed 70mg of Vyvanse (generic).

SupplementsLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male25-34
56 minutes ago

Underwent an Ultrasound: Hydration and Fasting Experience

Age: 24 Weight: 40 kg Location: London, UK Today, I underwent an ultrasound examination, and as part of the preparation, I consumed a considerable amount of water. Although the recommendation was to drink around 5 cups, I surpassed that by taking in 6 to 7 cups prior to the appointment. I even added an additional bottle of water, equivalent to 2 cups, as I didn't quite feel adequately hydrated. In addition to hydrating, I had to refrain from eating anything, allowing only water during the fasting period. The ultrasound took place between approximately 1 PM and 3:30 PM, and since then, I've made over ten trips to the restroom. Afterward, I treated myself to some food, including chocolate, saltine crackers, lemon, and bananas. Currently, I’m taking it easy; however, I am experiencing a mild headache along with some discomfort in my temples and the back of my neck.

WellnessLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male25-34
56 minutes ago