Cysts
What Is A Cyst?
A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with a cheese-like or oily material. Sebaceous cysts are commonly seen on the scalp, labia, scrotum, chest, and back, but can be found anywhere on the body. A foul odor is also often present in keratin, the substance that fills sebaceous cysts. Keratin is a protein that creates the sebaceous cysts. The bumps or lumps you can feel under your skin are actually the sac of cells that form the sebaceous cysts, and are often the result of swollen hair follicles, or skin trauma. The scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites for sebaceous cysts, though they may occur anywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In males a common place for them to develop is the scrotum and chest.
Sebaceous cysts are more common in hairier areas, and they can result in hair loss on the skin surface immediately above the cyst. The main symptom is usually a small, non-painful lump beneath the skin. Small lumps or bumps that occur just under the skin of the genitalia, breast, abdomen, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body are the most common symptom of sebaceous cysts. Sebaceous cysts may occasionally become infected and form into painful abscesses. It is important that the entire sac of a sebaceous cyst is excised by a doctor or medical professional to help prevent a recurrence. Large cysts may reappear and may have to be surgically removed.
Treatments
The treatment for a cyst depends upon the cause and the location of the cyst. Cysts that are very large and result in symptoms due to their size may be surgically removed. Sometimes the fluid contained within a cyst can be drained, or aspirated, by inserting a needle or catheter into the cyst cavity, resulting in collapse of the cyst. Radiologic imaging may be used for guidance in draining (aspirating) cyst contents if the cyst is not easily accessible.
Surgical removal of a cyst is sometimes necessary. If there is any suspicion that a cyst is cancerous, the cyst is generally removed by surgery or a biopsy is taken of the cyst wall (capsule) to rule out malignancy. In certain cases, aspirated fluid from a cyst is examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present in the cyst.
Sebaceous Cysts Treatment and Prevention Tips
- Do not squeeze, scratch, drain, open (lance), or puncture the lump.
- Keep the area clean by washing the lump and surrounding skin well with an antibacterial soap.
- Apply warm, wet washcloths to the lump for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using oil-free skin care products can help prevent milia.
- Prophylactic tetracycline or erythromycin ointment is applied once, 1 hour after delivery.