Sebaceous cyst symptoms & treatment

What is a sebaceous cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a small, slow-growing bump under the skin that is usually harmless. Sebaceous cysts can appear on the scalp, face, ears, back, or groin area. Sometimes if you do not treat sebaceous cysts, they can become very large and could become uncomfortable, which could warrant surgery for sebaceous cyst removal.

Sebaceous cysts involve the sebaceous glands, which secrete oil and other fats that lubricate the hair and skin. Eating fats or oils does not make your sebaceous glands produce more oil or increase the risk of getting a sebaceous cyst.

Sebaceous cyst symptoms

The main symptom of a sebaceous cyst is a lump under the skin. Most sebaceous cysts are harmless and rarely need treatment. Sebaceous cysts may go away on their own, but they often come back. See your doctor if you have a skin lump that shows any of these signs:

• Warmth, redness, pain or swelling (could indicate an infected sebaceous cyst)
• Rapid growth
• Constant irritation
• Location on a finger or toe

Don’t try to remove sebaceous cysts yourself by bursting and draining them. This could spread an infection, and the cyst could grow back.

What causes sebaceous cysts?

Sebaceous cysts can develop if the sebaceous glands get damaged or blocked. This usually happens from some sort of trauma like a scratch, a surgical wound or a skin condition like acne.

Diagnosis of sebaceous cysts

Sebaceous cysts are sometimes confused with epidermoid cysts or epidermal inclusion cysts, which are related to skin cells. Although your doctor can usually tell if you have a sebaceous cyst by its slightly yellowish color, they can only confirm the diagnosis after studying what’s inside.

Testing for sebaceous cysts

Sebaceous cysts are rarely cancerous. But if your doctor suspects your cyst is abnormal and possibly cancerous, they may order the following tests:

• Ultrasound imaging to see what’s inside the cyst
• A punch biopsy to remove a small amount of tissue from the cyst and test it for cancer
• A CT scan if your doctor thinks you may need surgery to remove the sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cyst treatment

If a small sebaceous cyst becomes enlarged and inflamed, your health care provider may inject it with a steroid drug to reduce swelling. Another sebaceous cyst treatment option is to drain the cyst. If your doctor believes you have an infected sebaceous cyst, you might need antibiotic medication.

Sebaceous cyst removal

Sebaceous cyst removal may be in order if it causes hair loss on the scalp or interferes with clothing. You also may want your doctor to remove a sebaceous cyst for cosmetic reasons.

If removal is the best option for sebaceous cyst treatment, you’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb your skin. If the entire cyst is removed, it’s unlikely to come back.

Treatment for cysts/cyst removal methods:

• Laser-aided excision: The sebaceous cyst is drained when a laser makes a small hole in it.
• Conventional wide excision: Your health care provider will make a cut and squeeze out the contents. This procedure leaves a long scar after the sebaceous cyst is removed.
• Minimal excision: Sebaceous cyst removal using a smaller cut.
• Punch excision: The sebaceous cyst and a small area of normal skin around it are removed using a scalpel that looks like a small cookie cutter.

Find a dermatologist

Aurora Health Care operates dermatology clinics in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Greenfield, Sheboygan, and throughout eastern Wisconsin. If you think you may have sebaceous cysts, find a dermatologist near you.