Swollen peduncle in tufted rooster

[Trish1974]

I just noticed my 1 year 3 month old araucana rooster's right peduncle is red and swollen. He has been losing and growing new tufts on his right side over and over for a few months now. I thought it was some kind of odd molt (they are a slow maturing breed) and didn't think anything of it, but now realized it hasn't been happening on the left side. What's even more strange is he originally had one very large tuft on the right to start out with, but since the molting and regrowing of that tuft it has turned into several smaller tufts (pin feathers in pic). I know these aren't the best pictures but the camera pointing at him makes him nervous and he won't stand still. Any idea what is going on and what I could do for him? He's otherwise acting normal, but that thing has got to hurt! Its swollen up like a balloon; bigger than a large pea:

Left peduncle for comparison:

What his single right tuft used to look like:

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to separate him from the flock until those pin feathers have matured. Flock mates may be pecking and pulling his pin feathers causing irritation. Everything else about him indicates good health.

 

[Trish1974]

Is there anything I can do in case that is an abscess, or is there anything I can give him orally or topically to prevent that from getting infected? It is a little less red today, but it is rather alarming at how far that peduncle is sticking out. I tried to get a few more pictures, but it just doesn't look as bad in the pics as it does in person.