Some moments are uncomfortable, but pushing through them is what gets us to the other side. Relief often comes right after the hardest part.
A large, red swelling on the shoulder is one of those moments. It can grow quickly, feel hot and tight, and hurt with every movement of the arm.
Swellings like this are usually inflamed cysts or abscesses. They start around a blocked follicle and fill up when bacteria get trapped under the skin.
As the pressure builds, the skin stretches and turns bright red, and a yellow head may appear where the contents are close to the surface.
Squeezing it at home is risky. It can spread the infection deeper into the tissue and make the swelling even larger and more painful.
