 [ Symptoms ] how do you tell the difference between a cyst and something else  i found a nickel sized lump on my bikini line that hurts and is solid with a little give at the touch like cysts i have had before do but the skin above it is redish and looks bruised is it possible it is something more like a tumor or just a cyst that caused a bruise when forming [ Disease ] well it certainly could be a cyst or it could be half a dozen other things i can think of off the top of my head our skin is prone to developing many types of weird lumps and bumps the good news is most of the time these go away on their own sometimes they burst and emit fluid other times they just seem to disappear as long as you do not develop a fever or an angry hot red rash in the area it is probably ok to take a wait and see attitude with this bump at your bikini line you can put some warm compresses on it to see if that helps draw out any exudate gunk from the cyst or whatever it is do not squeeze or puncture the bump in an attempt to drain it that is a great way to get an infection instead just monitor the lump if it bursts on its own that is fine    put some antibiotic ointment on the wound assuming you are not allergic to antibiotic ointment and cover it with an adhesive bandage do that for a couple of days or until the wound has finished draining in the unlikely event you develop a fever an angry rash in the area or if the bump does not go away within a couple of weeks then get a medical professional to look at it wishing you well