If you find yourself plagued with a mysterious lump or bump on your skin, you may have developed a cyst. These fluid-filled sacs can form in many parts of the body, from just beneath the skin’s surface to internal organs (as in the case of ovarian cysts). Cysts can lead to embarrassment, physical discomfort, and infections.
Although most cysts that affect the skin don’t pose a serious threat to your health, you should understand why they form, when they might call for medical evaluation and treatment, and how you can boost your chances of a cyst-free future. Start by consulting the following questions and answers on the subject.
What Kinds of Skin Cysts Can People Develop?
Many common types of skin cysts occur as a result of infection. For instance, cystic acne involves the growth of large, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin in response to hormonal imbalances and bacteria.
Other types of cysts grow due to some sort of trauma or blockage. A blocked oil gland in the eyelid, for example, can produce a swollen area called a chalazion. Protein accumulations can cause epidermoid cysts on the neck or pilar cysts on the scalp. Ingrown hair in the buttock cleft can create a pilonidal cyst.
Fluid-filled skin lumps that don’t produce their own distinct outer membrane outer sac or membrane count as pseudocysts rather than actual cysts. One common pseudocyst example, folliculitis, occurs when a hair follicle becomes infected and filled with pus.
Why Do People Get Skin Cysts?
Anyone can get a cyst. For many people, however, genetics may play a prominent role in their vulnerability to various kinds of cysts. For instance, a genetic predisposition to oily skin could make you more susceptible to cystic acne. A relatively uncommon kind of neck lump called a branchial cleft cyst develops before birth.
Any kind of physical damage that impairs the skin’s normal drainage mechanisms can allow fluid to build up and create a cyst. In people who spend long hours sitting, for example, pressure on the posterior can contribute to the development of a pilonidal cyst. Trauma to a joint can cause a ganglion cyst to develop outside the joint.
When Do Skin Cysts Call for Medical Treatment?
Some cysts resolve themselves and disappear without treatment, while others may linger indefinitely without causing any discomfort or complications. A cyst that shows clear signs of infection such as redness, pain, or pus drainage most likely merits evaluation and treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids.
Doctors refer to an infected cyst as an abscess. If you develop an abscess, resist the urge to pop, squeeze, or drain it yourself. You can easily make your infection worse or cause the abscesses to burst beneath the skin, potentially pushing the bacteria into your bloodstream. Let your doctor perform this procedure safely.
If you have a large cyst that keeps refilling with pus after drainage treatment, your doctor might recommend minor surgery to remove the entire sac that contains the cyst. Healthy tissue can then grow in the cyst’s place. However, surgical cyst removal can scar your skin.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk for Skin Cysts?
Although you can’t make yourself immune to cysts, you can still reduce your risk of developing certain types of cysts, especially those that involve bacteria and oils. A gentle eyelid cleaning routine can help you avoid the blocked oil glands that produce chalazion, while scrupulous personal hygiene may help you avoid pilonidal cysts.
If you have a cyst or some other lump that you think may need evaluation, visit any of our locations at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists. Our experienced team can diagnose your condition, and administer treatment if necessary, and answer any further questions you may have.
