Q:

About a few months ago, I noticed a lump around my groin in between my thigh and my outer labia. It seemed to be an ingrown hair or something because it popped and released some yellowy white puss followed by blood. I thought that was that, but about a month later it appeared again. So i followed the same procedure and hoped for the best. well, a couple of weeks after that I noticed the bump coming back, but this time it didn't form a head. Nonetheless, I squeezed on it and nothing happened. I kept prodding at it for a couple days (big mistake) well, about three days ago it burst open and bled. I covered it with a band aid and the next time I looked at it, I noticed something sticking out of the wound. it just looked like a piece of whatever was inside the bump was under pressure and was now trying to escape out of a tiny hole. It has been this way for several days now. I keep it clean with hydrogen peroxide and neosporen, but it's causing me some discomfort. I know I should go to the doctor but I don't have insurance and I am afraid!

 

A:

This does sound like a type of sebaceous cyst, which is a skin structure inflammation that can get infected and drain, as you are describing. However, without seeing it, that is only a guess.

It is scary to have something that is not going away, but you'll have far greater piece of mind if you get it taken care of. If you are an enrolled WWU student for six or more credits, you can be seen at no charge at the Student Health Center. If you have 3-5 credits, you can pay the health fee ($70) to be seen. If you have less than 3 credits, you can call Planned Parenthood for an appointment and they would take a look at this for a sliding fee scale charge.

~The Doc