Skin cysts can appear in many different forms and for various reasons. Often, these are harmless and only affect your appearance. But sometimes they can have a bigger effect on your health. Cysts are lumps or pockets filled with pus, fluid, and other material. They can be small bumps or larger lumps. They can cause problems if they become large, infected, or are growing in a sensitive area. Whether or not the cyst is harmless, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Krathen can find the right treatment for you so that you get back to optimal skin beauty and health.
What Causes a Cyst?
There are many different reasons why cysts appear on the skin. Most often, it is due to clogging of the sebaceous glands or an infection. There are various types of cysts. Treatment options will vary depending on the type of cyst that you have.
Types of Cysts
- Ingrown Hair
- Cystic Acne
- Pilar Cyst
- Sebaceous Cyst
- Chalazion
- Pilonidal Cyst
Treatments for Cysts
If you notice a cyst then meeting with a dermatologist should be your first step. At Essential Dermatology in Natick, MA, Dr. Krathen will examine your cyst and recommend a treatment plan. Options include cortisone injections, surgical removal, or draining the cyst.
Cysts FAQs
What are the symptoms of cystic acne?
Cysts can resemble a specific type of skin infection, known as a “boil.” These fluid-filled red lumps may hurt or feel tender when you touch them. They may contain a white/yellow head, and ooze and crust over.
What are pilar cysts?
These smooth and flesh-colored bumps tend to develop on your scalp. You may notice them when you are washing, combing, and styling your hair. They develop from the sac-like follicles where your hair grows. While these cysts tend to grow slowly, they can become very large or rupture. These cysts can also grow in other areas, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs.
How do sebaceous cysts differ from pilar cysts?
These distinctive types of cysts are often mistaken for each other because they look and “behave” similarly. However, true sebaceous cysts grow from the sebaceous glands – not the hair follicles. Sebaceous cysts do not favor the scalp, and can crop up most anywhere. Unlike keratin-filled pilar cysts, sebaceous cysts secrete oil or sebum. Lastly, while pilar cysts can grow extremely large, sebaceous cysts have characteristic features, such as a tiny, dome-shaped opening that oozes oil when squeezed.
What are the complications of an ingrown hair cyst?
These cysts may cause irritation, be itchy, sting, and become swollen. It’s important to take a “hands-off” approach to these cysts. If you keep touching the cyst or pop it, you are inviting a bacterial infection or permanent scars. Contact us right away if you notice that your cysts are growing, leaking pus, or if your pain and swelling are becoming worse. These are signs of infection that require the attention of our specialists.
Is a chalazion the same thing as a stye?
No. While both of these swollen bumps appear on your eyelids, a chalazion when oil glands clog up. Most styes develop from bacterial infections. While styes can hurt and cause tearing, chalazia typically are not painful. Another difference is that styes tend to develop at the edge of the eyelid or eyelash root, whereas chalazia grow farther back on the eyelid.
Am I at risk of developing a pilonidal cyst?
These cysts, which contain hair and skin debris and often arise near the tailbone, are most common among individuals who sit for prolonged periods of time or those who have an inactive lifestyle. Having a thick, coarse hair type is also a risk factor. These cysts tend to recur, and it’s important to wash well and regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid prolonged sitting to manage these often painful cysts, associated with friction and pressure that can force hair to puncture the skin.
Are cysts contagious?
While cysts may be vulnerable to bacterial infections, they are generally not caused by bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can be passed from person to person.
Can cysts turn into cancer?
Cysts are largely harmless. It is very rare for them to contain precancerous or cancerous cells. However, complex cysts differ from simple, fluid-filled cysts. They are solid or thick-walled and should be evaluated to rule out other serious conditions.
Schedule a Consultation
Cysts can be hard to deal with, causing discomfort and sometimes pain. To get rid of it, talk to Dr. Krathen at Essential Dermatology about treatment options. Call our office at (508) 545-9713 or request a consultation by filling out our online form. To book an appointment, schedule your visit as a new patient using our online scheduler or as an existing patient using the Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway.
