We’ve all seen those shocking videos online—someone has a giant lump on their head, and a doctor pops it, and… well, it’s gross but weirdly satisfying. The image above shows one of those cases. What you’re looking at is most likely a sebaceous cyst that got badly infected.
Let’s talk about what that really means—in simple, everyday words.
So… What Is That Lump?
A sebaceous cyst is basically a small pocket under your skin that fills up with oil your body makes (called sebum). Think of it like a balloon under your skin, filled with thick stuff your body couldn’t release normally. Gross, but true.
These cysts can show up almost anywhere on the body, but they love areas like the scalp, face, neck, and back.
When Things Go Wrong: Infection
Normally, a cyst isn’t painful. It’s just there—like an unwanted guest. But if it gets infected, that’s when the trouble starts:
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It swells up
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It turns red and shiny
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It feels hot and painful
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It may leak pus (yep, that yellowish goo)
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It can even smell bad
In the image, that lump is very angry-looking—red, shiny, and filled with what looks like infected pus. That’s a clear sign it needs medical care.
Please… Don’t Pop It Yourself
Look, we know it’s tempting. You see that white head and think, “I’ll just squeeze it and get it over with.” Don’t do it.
Trying to pop a cyst at home can:
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Push the infection deeper
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Make it more painful
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Cause a scar
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Lead to a worse infection
Doctors like Dr. Pimple Popper (yep, the one in the image!) have the tools, training, and clean environment to safely drain and treat it. Leave it to the pros.
How Do Doctors Treat It?
It depends on the situation:
✅ If it’s not infected:
The doctor might just watch it, or remove it with a small surgery.
🚨 If it’s infected (like this one):
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The doctor will numb the area
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Make a small cut
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Drain all the gunk (so satisfying to watch, right?)
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Sometimes prescribe antibiotics
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They might remove the sac so it doesn’t come back
Can You Prevent It?
Not always. But keeping your skin clean and managing oily skin or acne can help a bit. If you ever feel a lump forming, get it checked early before it turns into a mini volcano.
Real Talk
Having a cyst—especially an infected one—can feel embarrassing, painful, and scary. But you’re not alone. Tons of people get them, and doctors deal with them every single day.
Don’t ignore it. Don’t poke at it. Just see a skin doctor and get it sorted.
