A sebaceous cyst is a common skin bump filled with oils; this article covers causes like blocked glands, symptoms, diagnosis, and various treatment options available.
Spotting a little bump under your skin that’s skin-colored or maybe a bit yellowish? You might be dealing with what’s known as a sebaceous cyst. We’re going to dive into what causes these things, what they look like, and what your treatment options are.
We’ll get into all the nitty-gritty details soon, but before we jump in, here’s what we’re going to cover:
- What is a Sebaceous Cyst?
- What Causes Sebaceous Cysts?
- What Are the Symptoms of Sebaceous Cysts?
- How Are Sebaceous Cysts Diagnosed?
- What Are the Treatment Methods?
What is a Sebaceous Cyst?
A sebaceous cyst is basically a small, usually harmless bump that forms under your skin. It’s filled with a cheesy-looking substance, kinda gross, right? This substance is made up of oils. The color of the cyst itself is typically skin-toned, yellowish, or even whitish. And, good news, it’s usually pretty mobile under the skin.
Most of the time, these cysts aren’t anything to worry about. They can pop up pretty much anywhere on your body, especially in areas with lots of those lovely oil-producing glands, like the face, scalp, and back of your neck. But you’ll commonly find them chilling on the face, neck, and torso.
It’s important to know that these cysts are different from epidermoid cysts, which develop from the skin itself, or pilar cysts, which come from hair follicles. These differences might seem small, but they’re key to figuring out what’s going on with your skin. That said, even experts can confuse them sometimes!
What Causes Sebaceous Cysts?
So, like we mentioned earlier, sebaceous cysts happen when a sebaceous gland, um, gets blocked. These glands are responsible for making sebum, which is that oily stuff that keeps your hair and skin moisturized.
When one of these glands or its duct gets blocked, preventing the sebum from reaching the surface of your skin, a cyst can form. This blockage might happen because of some kind of trauma, like a wound, a scratch, surgical complications, or even skin conditions. For example, acne can sometimes lead to a follicle getting blocked.
Interestingly, these cysts are more likely to develop slowly. I remember once, I had a tiny bump on my back for months, didn’t think much of it. Turns out, it was probably one of these slowly growing cysts, eventually I went to see a doctor, and it was nothing to worry about.
There can be other causes for sebaceous cysts as well. These include:
- If the ducts aren’t forming correctly, then the glands can become misshapen or oddly shaped.
- Cell damage caused by surgery.
- Genetic conditions, such as Gardner’s syndrome.
Plus, sometimes they just pop up for no apparent reason at all.
Speaking of the things that cause cysts, we should talk about other things that might cause similar kinds of lumps. For instance, what about lipomas or even swollen lymph nodes? Lipomas are collections of fatty tissue and they’re usually quite soft to the touch, while swollen lymph nodes might be a sign of an infection or another medical issue. Knowing the differences can help you decide when it’s really time to see a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of Sebaceous Cysts?
The main symptoms of a sebaceous cyst include:
- A small, painless, and round lump under the skin. In some cases, though, these cysts can get pretty big and cause some discomfort or pressure.
- The cyst will be white or yellow in color. They’re filled with keratin and oils, which give them that hue.
- They can show up anywhere on the body, but they’re most common on the face, scalp, neck, and torso.
Now, here’s something to keep in mind: sometimes, a sebaceous cyst can get inflamed. When that happens, it gets swollen, painful, and red. The area around it might feel warm to the touch, and you might even see some pus draining from it. Sounds pretty nasty, doesn’t it? But, uh, this doesn’t always mean it’s serious.
How Are Sebaceous Cysts Diagnosed?
Usually, a doctor can diagnose a sebaceous cyst just by giving it a good look and feeling it. But, in some cases, they might order some extra tests, just to be sure. These tests can include:
- An ultrasound.
- A CT scan.
- A biopsy.
The doctor might order these tests if the cyst is surgically removed, if it’s larger than 5 cm, if it reappears quickly after being removed, or if there are signs of infection. Oh, and also if they’re worried that it might be cancerous, even though that’s rare.
What Are the Treatment Methods?
Many sebaceous cysts don’t need any treatment at all. You can just leave them alone. However, other cysts might need to be treated with steroids or surgical removal, especially if they’re causing problems or keep coming back.
These are some of the surgical options that a doctor may use to remove a sebaceous cyst:
- Conventional wide excision: Basically, they cut the whole thing out, but it can leave a noticeable scar.
- Minimal excision: They take the cyst out without leaving a big scar, but there’s a chance it might come back.
- Laser with punch biopsy excision: They use a laser to make a small hole in the cyst, drain it, and then remove the outer walls.
If the cyst is inflamed, your doctor might give you antibiotics before removing it surgically.
Key takeaways
- Sebaceous cysts are common, usually harmless skin bumps filled with oils.
- They often don’t require treatment but can be removed surgically if bothersome.
- Diagnosis is typically done through physical examination, with additional tests ordered in certain cases.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Are sebaceous cysts contagious?
No, these cysts aren’t contagious. You can’t catch them from someone else, or spread them to other parts of your body through contact.
Can I pop a sebaceous cyst myself?
It’s generally not a good idea to try and pop a sebaceous cyst yourself. This can lead to infection, inflammation, and scarring. It’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Will a sebaceous cyst go away on its own?
Sometimes, a sebaceous cyst can go away on its own, especially if it’s small. However, many cysts will persist unless they’re treated.
Testimonials
I had a small bump on my face for ages and I thought it was just a pimple that wouldn’t go away. Turns out it was a cyst. I was so relieved when the doctor told me it wasn’t serious and could easily be removed. The procedure was quick, and the scar is barely noticeable now. I’m so much more confident without that bump staring back at me in the mirror every day.
I’ve had multiple cysts on my back for years. They never really bothered me until one of them got infected. The pain was unbearable! I went to the doctor, got antibiotics, and had the cyst removed. The relief was immediate. Now I make sure to keep an eye on any new bumps and get them checked out right away. Don’t wait until it gets painful, folks.
I was so embarrassed when I discovered a large cyst on my neck. It was so visible, and I felt like everyone was staring at it. I put off going to the doctor for months because I was scared of surgery. But finally, I bit the bullet and had it removed. The whole process was much easier than I expected, and I’m so glad I did it. The doctor was amazing and made me feel so comfortable. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
So, there you have it, the lowdown on sebaceous cysts. They’re usually nothing to stress about, but it’s always good to know what you’re dealing with, right? Back when I was a teen I noticed a small lump on my head that gave me terrible headaches, I was so scared when I went to the doctor, I thought it was a brain tumor! He just looked at it and said it was a pilar cyst, probably from irritation of the scalp and totally benign. It was amazing to learn more about it and how to avoid it, so I hope you’ve found this helpful too.
