Giant Ball of Ick (Photos Omitted)

For about a month now, I have had this huge constellation of pimples right under my nose. It started out as a red welt, then developed a white head, which turned into several white heads, and now they have merged into one really really big one. I know this isn't what you want to read, but it is about the only thing on my mind -- aside from class, prelim reading, and next month's conference paper, that is. I have tried all the tricks I can think of to make it (them?) go away: heat, ice, fingernails, and $50/tube prescription medicine. Nothing has worked. I really thought that I wouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing after I turned thirty! I'm even wondering if I should take it to a doctor to make sure it isn't some kind of malignancy. Any suggestions?