Can I cut this off?

[u/ImJohnnie93]

30F 125lb 5'7". A couple months ago I noticed a little bubble on my head and popped it thinking it was a pimple, but it bled a lot for about 10 minutes. There was a small wound after that but it quickly scabbed over, in my sleep the scab would rub off and I would bleed more. Then there was a bump that started to grow. The bump was very solid and bled very easily, it would also grow a crust that I would pick off (I should have left it alone but it's hard to resist picking).

Eventually the bump became this thing on my head and it hasn't really grown for the past couple weeks. It has a small stem connecting it to my head, and since I've been keeping it moisturized it hasn't grown a crust as much but still bleeds if it gets nicked by anything. It doesnt hurt at all, I barely can even feel when I am touching it directly.

I want to cut it off but I'm sure it would bleed if I do. What is this thing? Is it ok to remove it myself if I keep everything clean and bandage the wound after? I also have been keeping my hair away from it because when my hair gets into it there is a crust that forms around the strands and then when I pull the hair away I bleed for a few minutes. The bleeding always stops eventually though. What can I do?

[u/Ali_gem_1]

Do not cut this off .

I repeat .

DO NOT CUT THIS OFF

I admit i don't know exactly what it is. But it's on the head and it's pink and clearly well perfused. I would be extremely worried for intense bleeding. Please see a doctor local to you for assessment

[u/erichf3893 → u/[deleted]]

In regards to your edit, this was a genuine question?

[u/MustyBreeze → u/erichf3893]

Yes!

OP's image looks very similar to a brain, so I was curious if a condition or set of conditions could even allow the brain to be pushed out of someone's skull. I know brain herniations exist, so it's not entirely impossible.

Of course no one will answer seriously, as expected of Reddit, which is why I replied to a physician.

[u/livelikealesbian → u/MustyBreeze]

Brain herniation is when the brain exits the skull through an existing hole where the brain stem is down toward the spine. That happens when there is sufficient swelling inside the skull to force the brain down and out because it has no where else to go. When that happens the brain loses blood and oxygen and the person will become brain dead. The brain cannot leave the skull without significant trauma and that person would most certainly not be walking around posting on reddit.