A few years ago I felt a pea-sized lump under the skin of my cheek. There was no blackhead or zit apparent above it, but being a curious sort, I went into the bathroom and gave it a hard squeeze. There was a “pop” sound, and out came a squiggle of some white goo. So I squeezed again, and out came some more. And more. And more. Until I had about a foot-long worm of the stuff in the sink.
This gunk wasn’t your normal blackhead sebum, which tends to have a black head, and is sort of yellowish and solid. This stuff was pure white and much less viscous. Now, the lump returns about every month, always explodes out with a “pop”, is always white and quite voluminous (though nowhere near as much as the last time), but smells of the after-shave cream I use. There is never a blackhead or a zit there.
So what is this gunk? Is it an accumulation of after-shave cream? If so, how does it get in? How on earth is it being stored - is there a huge chasm under my skin, or a tunnel? Why isn’t there a blemish associated with this thing? And finally - is there anything I can do about it? It’s gross.
I had something like that on my arm a while back. It was like that because there was a small cut that had become infected and a bit swollen. (I didn’t, erm, smell the gunk though) But it only lasted a few weeks, not as long as the one that you have, though. I’d see a doc.
And they can blend right in to your normal skin terrain and you only notice the ball when you press on it. I have a small one under my arm that only flares up every couple of months, and yes, it smells like my underarm deodorant. You should talk to your doctor or dermatologist about it. It’s not good to risk infection with something on your face.
She won’t thank me for saying this but my missus has one of these on her shoulder. I get the pleasure of squeezing it every month or so - I’ll have to have a sniff the next time. You and her can go off to the lepers’ corner of the pub next time we’re out for a pint and chat about it to your little infected hearts’ content.
I agree that good apostrophe etiquette is worth rewarding. I have nothing further to say, except that I can feel a hard lump on my left jawbone that I think–no, never mind…
I wish my husband’s sebaceous cysts would smell like health and beauty products. I would be squeezing those bad boys all the time. Unfortunately they do not smell like deoderant or shaving cream AT ALL.
Most sebaceous cysts I have encountered (on myself and other people) smell like super-concentrated dirty gym bags. I do have a small sebaceous cyst on my left shoulder that smells like Sea Breeze (or whatever astrigent/skin conditioner I happen to be using this week). It looks like a normal sebaceous cyst though.
Reading this thread right after finishing the What is THAT?! one, I have come to the conclusion that humans are the most disgusting creatures in the universe.
Jeez you people! Smelling your zits and cysts? That’s just a little on the “wrong” side, if you ask me. Do you guys smell your earwax too? Or your shit? Sheesh!
