Man's 'goose egg' head cyst explodes and showers Dr Pimple Popper in thick, white pus - as the expert jokes it has 'good projection'

  • Eric, 34, from New York, developed the lump after suffering an accident at work
  • Said it gets in way of everyday tasks, is incredibly tender, and causes discomfort
  • He will appear in tonight's episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper 

A man's eight-year-old head cyst explodes with thick, white pus in a stomach-churning episode of Dr Pimple Popper.   

Tonight's TLC show features Eric, 34, from New York, who usually enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle with his wife Ronelle and 10-year-old daughter, Evie.

But over the years Eric's outdoor adventures have been limited as the result of a big, bulbous bump on the top of his head - which first developed after an accident at work. 

'It's essentially half a golf ball, sticking right out of my head,' he explains. 'About eight years ago I was at work and I was struck by the bucket of an excavator. I woke up on the ground and I had a big goose egg on my head.' 

Eric (pictured), 34, from the US, has his eight-year-old head cyst removed in tonight's stomach-churning episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper

Eric (pictured), 34, from the US, has his eight-year-old head cyst removed in tonight's stomach-churning episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper

The father says his outdoor adventures have been limited as the result of a big, bulbous bump on the top of his head. Pictured, during the procedure

The father says his outdoor adventures have been limited as the result of a big, bulbous bump on the top of his head. Pictured, during the procedure

Eric explains the lump (pictured) first developed eight years ago when he was struck by the bucket of an excavator while at work

Eric explains the lump (pictured) first developed eight years ago when he was struck by the bucket of an excavator while at work

Not only does the bump get in the way of everyday tasks, it's also incredibly tender, and Eric admits it causes him a lot of discomfort. 

'It's very painful now,' he says. 'If I'm doing something and I hit it, it's the equivalent of taking a fork and poking yourself in the head, real quick but real good.' 

Even with his family by his side, Eric is nervous about rupturing the bump, and is reluctant to take part in family activities. 

'We like to be outdoors, but there are trees, there are branches, there are hazards all over the place,' Eric admits. 'I'm always aware that the bump is there.' 

'If I do hit it hard enough, I'm definitely worried about it rupturing or even an internal bleed. It could turn into something worse.' 

Despite all of the grief the bump causes Eric, it has brought him and his daughter closer together. 

Eric says the bump (pictured) gets in the way of everyday tasks, is incredibly tender, and admits it causes him a lot of discomfort

Eric says the bump (pictured) gets in the way of everyday tasks, is incredibly tender, and admits it causes him a lot of discomfort

At first glance, Dr Sandra Lee (pictured) says the growth looks like a pilar cyst, a benign growth that occurs predominately on the scalp

At first glance, Dr Sandra Lee (pictured) says the growth looks like a pilar cyst, a benign growth that occurs predominately on the scalp

'The bump is something my daughter and I have shared because it's been there the entirety of her life,' he explains. 

'We play this silly game, the Daddy power on, Daddy power off button. She'll tap the button and I'll shutdown for just a second. It's small and it's stupid but it makes the both of us ridiculously happy.'

Finally ready to say goodbye to the on/off button, Eric arrives at the LA clinic to have it examined, diagnosed and removed. 

WHAT IS A PILAR CYST? 

Pilar cysts are common growths that form around a hair follicle, and are typically found on the scalp.

They form because the cells in the top layer of skin produce keratin, the protein that gives skin its strength and flexibility.

Normally, these cells move up to the surface of the skin as they start to die, so they can be shed.

But sometimes, these cells can move deeper into the skin and multiply, forming a sac - a 'bag' filled with fluid.

They secrete keratin into the middle of the sac, which forms a thick, yellow paste. This can ooze out of the cyst if it is burst.

Unlike other types of cysts, pilar growths strongly run in families, and are largely harmless.

They typically affect middle-aged adults, and women more than men.

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'It's not uncommon for a bump to occur where there has been trauma,' the expert  explains. 

'It looks like what we call a pilar cyst, a benign growth that occurs predominately on the scalp.' 

Dr Lee prepares to remove the bump there and then, but it's a bittersweet moment for Eric, who is glad to get rid of the bump, but will miss playing with his daughter. 

'Saying goodbye to the on/off button is bittersweet because it's something my daughter and I have shared, but it shouldn't be there so I do hope Dr Lee is right,' he adds. 

After numbing Eric's scalp, Dr Lee makes a small incision and confirms his diagnosis: It's a pilar cyst. All that is left to do is squeeze the contents free. 

'Watch out, it might be a little bit under tension,' Dr Lee says as she starts squeezing.

Suddenly, the cyst bursts, spraying the expert with thick, gooey white pus all up her arm, to which Eric exclaims: 'Oh good lord, I'm sorry.'

Ever the professional, Dr Lee continues squeezing, letting the worm-like pus wiggle out of Eric's bump. 

'Pilar cysts are probably the cysts that tend to get me the most, and that's because it has a thicker wall sack and it's particularly satisfying to squeeze it and get it out whole!' she jokes.

As Dr Sandra Lee squeezes the cyst, it bursts (pictured), spraying the expert with thick, gooey white pus all up her arm

As Dr Sandra Lee squeezes the cyst, it bursts (pictured), spraying the expert with thick, gooey white pus all up her arm

After emptying the cyst's rotten contents, the expert snips away at the sack, finally freeing Eric of his eight-year-old egg. 

'It's almost surreal,' Eric says post-surgery. 'I've had this thing for a decade and just suddenly it's gone. One last thing to worry about.' 

A whole month after his procedure, Eric feels and looks like a new man. He's ready and able to go out into the world and try new activities with his daughter. 

'Now that the bump is gone, and I'm not feeling that pain and everything, I feel free,' a thrilled Eric says. 

'My daughter and I, we don't have the Daddy power on button anymore, but we can always come up with another game!'

Dr Pimple Popper airs Thursdays at 10pm tonight exclusively on TLC

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