Keep going strong, even on the days when a health problem feels bigger than it should. Most problems get smaller once they are dealt with.
This photo shows a man with a large, round, red swelling on his upper back near the shoulder blade, with a small yellowish head on top.
It is most likely an epidermoid cyst. These grow slowly under the skin when a pore or follicle is blocked and keratin builds up inside a small sac.
The doctor is marking the skin next to it, which is often done before a procedure so the opening is placed in the right spot.
Cysts on the back can stay small for years and then swell quickly when they become irritated, which makes them sore when lying down or carrying a bag.
