A sebaceous cyst is about as tempting to popular every bit a pimple — just agree that idea before you do.

Popping a sebaceous cyst at home by yourself could increase your chance for inflammation, infection, and discomfort. In short, this is a cyst your doctor is improve off removing.

Keep reading to notice out more about sebaceous cysts and how you should and shouldn't treat them.

The term sebaceous cyst can exist misleading. These cysts don't arise from sebaceous (sweat) glands, merely instead from cells above a pilus follicle known as the infundibulum.

For this reason, doctors now commonly call them epidermoid cysts. Some ways to recognize these cysts include:

  • Location. These cysts are about ordinarily plant on the face, neck, abdomen, and dorsum.
  • Compressibility. You lot tin can usually press on the cyst, and it'll movement toward the peel.
  • Center appearance. The cyst may take a visible opening in its middle that's commonly blackness in colour. Doctors call this area a punctum.
  • Contents. If a sebaceous cyst accidentally ruptures, it'll likely release a foul-smelling, thick, yellow substance that'south a combination of fats and proteins.

Men are twice as probable to have sebaceous cysts than women. Those ages 30 to xl are besides about likely to have this type of cyst.

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Inflamed sebaceous cyst. Photography courtesy of Steven Fruitsmaak/Wikimedia

Epidermoid or sebaceous cysts are inclusion cysts. This means they accept a capsule effectually the cyst.

If you lot don't remove the sheathing or cell wall in its entirety, information technology's likely that the cyst will grow back. Also, the cell wall tends to abound back thicker afterwards an attempted partial removal or rupture, making the cyst harder to remove at a later fourth dimension.

Removing the cyst at dwelling house also increases your risk of scarring. Doctors volition use special techniques to try to reduce this likelihood.

Risk of infection

But the possibility the cyst could return is just one of the reasons you shouldn't remove one yourself. Another reason is the risk of infection.

Doctors use sterile instruments and make clean techniques to preclude infections, and attempting to remove the cyst at home can make you more vulnerable to them.

If you have a sebaceous cyst, there is some risk that you can disturb it through everyday activities. This includes your clothes rubbing against the cyst or accidentally striking the cyst on a hard surface. This oft depends on where your cyst is located.

If you have a cyst that appears inflamed, some of your at-abode treatment options include:

  • Warm compresses. Applying a warm shrink to the cyst may help to reduce redness and discomfort.
  • Cleaning the affected area. Cleaning the affected surface area with mild lather and water can help minimize the risk of bacteria entering the cyst. Y'all don't necessarily accept to use a cast to the expanse — only keeping it clean and dry out can help.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. If the cyst is painful, taking OTC hurting relievers such equally ibuprofen tin assistance reduce symptoms.

The most common method a doctor volition use to remove the cyst is surgical excision, or consummate removal.

Typically, your medico will only remove a cyst if it's non infected. Otherwise, it can be difficult for them to determine the cyst's edges.

If the cyst is infected, your medico may inject antibiotics into the cyst and recommend waiting to remove it until the infection has subsided.

The removal process

Unless the sebaceous cyst is very big in size, your doc tin can ordinarily remove it in their office. To remove the cyst, they typically follow this process:

  1. Inject the cyst with a local anesthetic to reduce pain and minimize bleeding.
  2. Apply a cutting device, such equally a scalpel, to remove the cyst. What's most of import is to remove the cyst with its wall intact (non ruptured). This arroyo will reduce the likelihood that the cyst will return.
  3. Stitch the incision closed with stitches to minimize scarring and promote healing.

Some doctors will apply a dissimilar arroyo to remove the sebaceous cyst, which involves using a special device that creates a punch biopsy. This tool has a circular cutting stop where your doctor can remove the cyst evenly.

Y'all should see your doctor if you experience the following symptoms related to a sebaceous cyst:

  • pain
  • redness
  • swelling
  • warmth to the impact

These symptoms may indicate that your cyst has become infected and requires handling. Although information technology's tempting, recall to avoid manipulating or squeezing the cyst.

If y'all've had a sebaceous cyst removed, follow your dr.'s instructions to proceed the area make clean and dry. If you have infection symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Cancer risk

For the most role, sebaceous cysts are beneficial (noncancerous). In very rare instances, they can become cancerous.

For example, squamous jail cell carcinoma, a rare type of pare cancer that oft begins on the eyelid, can ascend in a sebaceous cyst.

If you observe changes in the cyst's appearance, including any of the following, talk with your doctor:

  • bleeding
  • oozing
  • colour changes
  • swelling

Sebaceous cysts are rarely a medical concern, but they can be a corrective ane and are sometimes uncomfortable.

If you have a sebaceous cyst that you lot're concerned almost, speak with your doctor about potential removal options. To minimize your infection risk, don't attempt to do it yourself at dwelling house.

Leaving sebaceous cyst removal to your physician will increase the likelihood that the cyst will not return.