You should see a doctor if you think you have a cyst, because some cysts need treatment and a small proportion of them are cancerous.
However, you should definitely see a doctor if your cyst displays any of these symptoms: Yellow discharge, which could indicate an infection. Pain, tenderness, or redness. A rapid change in size, color, or shape.
If left untreated, benign cysts can cause serious complications including: Infection – the cyst fills with bacteria and pus, and becomes an abscess. If the abscess bursts inside the body, there is a risk of blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Apply a bandage. If the lump begins to drain pus, apply a bandage to keep the draining material from spreading. Change the bandage daily. If a large amount of pus drains from the lump, or the lump becomes more red or painful, you may need to see a doctor.
They may be yellow or white and have a dark plug through which you might be able to squeeze out the pus. If you notice any unusual lumps on your body, it's important to seek medical attention right away so that your doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend treatment if necessary.
If a large cyst ruptures, it is a medical emergency because the rupture can cause heavy bleeding. The bleeding can be internal, so you may not see it. Call 9-1-1 for these symptoms: Severe abdominal pain with or without nausea, vomiting, or fever.
Occasionally, cysts can rupture, or break open, causing heavy bleeding or severe pain. If you have any of the following symptoms of a ruptured cyst, head to the ER right away: Pain with vomiting and fever. Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly.
Will A Cyst Go Away On Its Own? A cyst will not heal until it is lanced and drained or surgically excised. Without treatment, cysts will eventually rupture and partially drain.
Epidermoid cysts often go away without any treatment. If the cyst drains on its own, it may return. Most cysts don't cause problems or need treatment. But if a cyst is a concern to you for any reason, see your healthcare provider.
If a small cyst becomes inflamed, your healthcare provider may inject it with a steroid drug to reduce swelling. A healthcare provider may drain a cyst that is large, tender, or inflamed. Larger cysts may need to be removed if they cause hair loss on the scalp, or interfere with clothing.
If the cyst becomes infected it must be drained or incised in order to heal. Although antibiotics may help to improve the infection, it will not resolve the infection without draining the cyst first. It's important to seek medical attention if the area begins to swell, produce pain, drains pus or you develop a fever.
Treatments for a skin cyst
Skin cysts do not need to be treated if they're not causing any problems. But treatment may be recommended if you have: an infected skin cyst – you may be given antibiotics.
Once the pus is drained, antibiotics may not be needed unless the infection has spread into the skin around the wound. The wound will take about 1 to 2 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the abscess.
A cyst may need further treatment if it becomes: Inflamed and swollen -- the provider may inject the cyst with steroid medicine. Swollen, tender, or large -- the provider may drain the cyst or do surgery to remove it. Infected -- you may be prescribed antibiotics to take by mouth.
Symptoms of an abscess
It's more difficult to identify an abscess inside the body, but signs include: pain in the affected area. a high temperature. generally feeling unwell.
Incision and drainage in the Emergency Department is indicated whenever a patient presents with a tender sebaceous cyst consistent with an abscess. The procedure will relieve the patient's pain. Antibiotics without drainage are ineffective in treating abscesses.
Most cysts do not develop complications. The most likely complication is a skin infection, which can occur if bacteria enter the cyst. Cysts are not fixed to anything deeper or below the skin, and the cyst and the area of skin around it is moveable.
Cysts can remain stable or they may steadily grow. Sometimes they will become inflamed or suddenly break open (rupture).
Avoid excision when the cyst is inflamed. A minimum of 4 weeks should be allowed after a drainage procedure. Most inflamed sebaceous cysts (inflamed due to sebum) are not infected and will settle spontaneously over 4 weeks.
In some cases, a ruptured cyst can cause more severe symptoms. These can include severe pain in the lower belly and bleeding. Symptoms like these need treatment right away. You may need care in the hospital if you have severe symptoms from a ruptured cyst.
If the abscess does not heal on its own, a health care provider might need to lance and drain it for it to heal. Other abscesses will require surgical drainage procedures performed in the emergency room. If the abscess is left without care and proper incision and drainage, it will worsen.
It might be tempting, but don't try to pop or drain the cyst yourself. That can cause infection, and the cyst will probably come back. Keep it clean by washing with warm soap and water. Try putting a bathwater-warm washcloth on it for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a day, to help soothe it and speed healing.