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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #13280
46 days ago
99

hard pimple on cheek - #13280

Drishti

I am really worried about this hard pimple on my cheek that showed up last week. At first, I thought it was just a regular acne thing, but this pimple is like a tiny rock! It’s kinda painful and feels like it’s deep under my skin. I tried some over-the-counter creams, thinking they’d work their magic, but no luck—this hard pimple on my cheek just seems to be getting bigger. I even changed my skincare routine and cut back on my dairy, thinking that might help, but nothing’s changing. It’s kinda frustrating because it’s really affecting my confidence, especially when I go out. Also, I’ve been feeling some itching around it. Is that normal for a hard pimple on the cheek? Just yesterday, I squeezed it a bit (totally guilty) and some pus came out, which kinda grossed me out. Should I be doing that? I heard you shouldn’t pop them but like, what if it’s just gonna stay there forever like a little monster on my face? I’m wondering if I need to see a doc about this hard pimple on my cheek or just keep trying home remedies? Any advice would help!

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Doctors’ responses

A hard, painful pimple on your cheek that feels like it’s deep under the skin might not be a typical acne lesion. It could be a cystic acne, which occurs deeper in the skin and is often inflamed. This type of acne is common and can be more persistent and painful compared to other types because it forms cysts. You mentioned having squeezed it and noticed some pus, which suggests some degree of infection or inflammation; however, squeezing can irritate the area further, potentially leading to scarring or spreading bacteria. Avoid squeezing or picking at it moving forward.

Although temporary lifestyle changes, like reducing dairy intake, can sometimes help manage acne, they might not have an immediate effect on a cystic lesion. Over-the-counter creams often don’t penetrate deep enough to help resolve cysts effectively. In this case, you may benefit from seeing a dermatologist who can confirm the diagnosis and potentially prescribe treatments like topical retinoids, oral antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline, or even oral isotretinoin in persistent cases. They might also consider an intralesional corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation quickly.

The itching, alongside the painful and hard characteristics, does warrant a closer look from a professional to rule out any other skin conditions or infections. While cystic acne isn’t generally an emergency, a doctor should evaluate a persistent hard lesion to make sure it’s not something else, like a sebaceous cyst or a lipoma. If the lesion changes rapidly, becomes immensely painful, or shows signs of spreading infection, such as warmth, increased swelling, or you feel unwell, seek medical attention promptly. Keep your skincare routine gentle and hydrate the skin—dryness can exacerbate irritation. Be mindful of stress, as it can also aggravate acne.

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