Staying steady and strong does not mean never feeling worried. It means taking a breath, facing the problem and letting the right people help.
This photo shows a raised, red lump on the back of the shoulder, with a small yellowish head slightly off center and redness fading into the skin around it.
It most likely is an inflamed epidermoid cyst. The shoulders and upper back are a very common place for these cysts in adults, especially in men.
They develop when a hair follicle becomes blocked and keratin collects beneath the skin inside a thin sac. The sac keeps filling, so the lump grows over time.
An inflamed cyst on the shoulder can feel sore when wearing a backpack, lifting the arm or lying on that side, and it may swell quite quickly.
A doctor will look at the lump, feel how firm and deep it is and ask how long it has been there before deciding on the best treatment.
Professionals numb the skin, make a small opening, drain what is inside and remove the sac, which lowers the chance of the cyst returning.
Afterwards the area is cleaned and bandaged. Keeping it clean, changing the dressing as advised and resting the shoulder for a few days helps healing.
Showering after workouts, wearing clean, breathable shirts and not squeezing bumps at home all help prevent new cysts on the shoulders.
Stay steady and strong and get it checked. The videos below show cysts on the shoulder being treated by professionals.
