Some days start harder than others. When that happens, it helps to breathe and begin again, one calm step at a time.
This photo shows a woman sitting on the exam table with a large, round swelling on her upper back, just next to the shoulder blade.
It is most likely an epidermoid cyst. These cysts form when a hair follicle or pore becomes blocked and slowly fills with keratin, a soft protein made by the skin.
The upper back has many oil glands and is hard to see and wash properly, so blocked pores there often go unnoticed for months.
When a cyst like this becomes inflamed, it can grow quickly, turn red and tight, and feel sore when leaning back against a chair.
A doctor will first look at the lump closely and press gently around it to check its size, depth and how tender it is.
To treat it, the area is numbed, a small opening is made, the contents are drained and the cyst wall is removed so it is less likely to return.
Afterwards the wound is covered with a clean dressing, kept dry for a day or two and checked for any signs of infection while it heals.
Regular washing of the back, loose breathable clothing and not squeezing bumps at home all help prevent new cysts from forming.
Breathe and begin again, because most problems are easier to solve than they first look. The videos below show back cysts being treated by professionals.
