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).
Successful cyst removal involves removal of the whole sac. This can be done safely under local anaesthetic. A small incision is made over the cyst and the balloon is “peeled” out from under the skin. The skin can then be stitched together to leave a small scar.
Cyst removal may be performed under general anesthesia or sedation depending on the size and location. The surgeon will make an incision on the skin above or near the cyst to either drain or remove it. The skin may be sutured closed and covered with steri-strips and a gauze dressing or surgical glue.
While some cysts may resolve themselves on their own, others resolve themselves in a way that can leave permanent scars on the skin – including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, atrophic scarring, and other damage. Scarring on the skin is a significant risk, as it's usually difficult to reverse scarring.
When your cyst is removed you'll be given a local anesthetic to numb your skin. Your healthcare provider will make a cut and squeeze out the protein inside. If the entire cyst is removed, the cyst likely will not come back; but if part of the lining remains, the cyst will likely recur.
During a cyst removal, the doctor will mark and numb the area around the bump. You'll get a few Lidocaine injections that may slightly sting, but that's the worst part. After that, you won't feel the procedure.
A cyst will not heal until it is lanced and drained or surgically excised. Without treatment, cysts will eventually rupture and partially drain. It may take months (or years) for these to progress. Once they rupture, the painful sebaceous cyst will likely return if the pocket lining is not removed entirely.
Sometimes, nothing will happen if you don't get a cyst removal. They aren't harmful to your health, so if they don't bother you, they can remain just as they are. However, on occasion, a cyst will burst, which can create a more painful and challenging medical situation, especially if your cyst is infected.
Some cysts are cancerous and early treatment is vital. 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).
That's not the best way to deal with your cysts. Don't punch and squeeze them — the right way is to completely remove the sac. If you leave the sac in the skin, the cyst will likely come back.
Cysts are closed capsule or sac-like structures, typically containing a liquid, semisolid, or gaseous material, much like a blister. There are many types, such as acne cysts and ganglion cysts, and kidney cysts. Cysts vary in size from microscopic to very large. Very large cysts can displace internal organs.
Epidermoid cysts form when surface skin cells move deeper into the skin and multiply. These cells form the wall of the cyst and secrete a soft, yellowish substance called keratin, which fills the cyst. Sebaceous cysts form inside glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum.
Though it may be tempting to try to pop the cyst on your own, it is actually one of the worst things you can do to it. Most cysts are practically impossible to pop by squeezing or picking at them with your fingers. In the process of trying to pop it, you can end up sending bacteria and sebum below the hair follicles.
Very large cysts that are causing symptoms may also need surgical removal, and in the cases where the cyst is thought to be cancerous, a biopsy of the cyst wall may be necessary, which can be followed by surgical removal.
Most cysts are benign, but some can also develop into cancer. “Depending on the cyst location and type, some can be precancerous and need to be followed or removed. It can be like a polyp in the colon, each type having varying risk of developing into cancer,” Dr. Choti said.
Epidermal inclusion cysts sometimes remain small in size and asymptomatic for up to several years. However, they can also increase in size with time, and also may become uncomfortable or irritated, at which point, you should discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Cysts can remain stable or they may steadily grow. Sometimes they will become inflamed or suddenly break open (rupture). This poses a risk for infection.
Most sebaceous cysts can be ignored, since they are not dangerous. Some go away on their own; others grow slowly, but unless they are bothering you, or get infected, you don't need to do anything about them. To rule out cancer, your doctor may send a cyst specimen to be examined under a microscope.
Cosmetic Reasons – If your cyst is on your face or another visible part of the body, you may want to remove it to restore your self-confidence. Infection – If you notice that your cyst is irritated, red or swollen, you may have an infected cyst that needs treatment.
If arachnoid cysts are not treated, they may cause serious, permanent nerve damage if the cyst(s) injures the brain or spinal cord. This can happen if the cyst(s) get larger or if there is bleeding into the cyst. Treating the symptoms of arachnoid cysts usually makes the symptoms go away or improve.
If your incision is left open, it may take from a few weeks to several months to heal. After the incision has healed, you will have a scar where the cyst was removed. This will fade and become softer with time.
There are no proven or reliable ways to dissolve a sebaceous cyst naturally. You should never try to pop or drain a sebaceous cyst yourself, as this can cause infection. It's OK if they drain on their own, however. A sebaceous cyst could resolve within about four weeks or grow or become inflamed or infected.