What can the open sore on head be?

Question

Hello doctor,

My husband has an open sore on his head. It is the size of a softball with redness under it and it is causing a shocking pain into his ear. It is swollen and has caused soreness in his neck and swollen adenoids. It looks like it has mucus or pus, which is trying to come out, but nothing does. He has been squeezing it like a pimple and soaking it with hot water and Epsom salt. Previously he got bit by a spider twice and the wound had to be cut open and drained, but it has never got like this before. I can send pictures for your reference.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. It just appears (attachment removed to protect patient identity) to be an infected sebaceous cyst that is infected now. I see you have tried to drain it. It should be seen by a physician ideally either in an urgent care or dermatologist or by a surgeon as soon as possible. They will have to remove the capsule of the cyst. If it is still swollen then it will need drainage again and this time by a professional to remove the entire capsule intact. He would also need antibiotics, preferably Keflex (Cefalexin), Bactrim (comprises of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim) or Doxycycline, for treatment since it looks infected. I would not suggest delaying it. It is not an acute emergency, but it is a relative urgent matter.