Sebaceous Cyst
more about Sebaceous Cyst
Epidermoid cyst
Normal Abnormal
• These are skin cysts that form from blocked oil
glands in the skin. They are commonly found
on the labia majora of the vulva, back, and
trunk, but can also be found on other parts of
the body. The cysts generally have a round
appearance. A black, dark portion of the cyst
is visible on the skin. If squeezed, the cysts
exude a stringy, cheesy white material. If the
cysts become infected, they will become red
and tender. Sebaceous Cysts are primarily a
cosmetic problem or a nuisance if they form in
body regions that are easily irritated, such as
the armpit. These cysts are benign and do not
develop into cancer.
• The total sac of the Sebaceous Cyst must be
removed. If the cheesy material is just
squeezed out, the cyst will reform. The
removal of the cyst is usually performed by a
physician. Sometimes a small incision is
required. In the case of infected cysts,
antibiotics may be prescribed.
• Good hygiene may prevent the formation
ofSebaceous Cysts. Daily showers or baths
with antibacterial soap are recommended. It is
important to wash the back. Some individuals
are predisposed to development of these
cysts, so even careful hygiene does not
prevent them.
Sebaceous cysts are sacs just beneath the skin that are filled with an oily, white, semisolid material called
sebum. If the sebum becomes infected, the cyst will be red and painful. Sebaceous cysts are commonly
seen on the scalp, labia, scrotum, chest, and back, but can be found anywhere on the body.
Epidermal cysts are also known as epithelial or infundibular cysts and present as intradermal or
subcutaneous tumours that grow slowly and occur on the face, neck, back and scrotum. Trichilemmal cysts,
also referred to as pilar cysts, are clinically indistinguishable from epidermal cysts. They were formerly called
sebaceous cysts but do contain keratinous rather than sebaceous material. Trichilemmal cysts are usually
multiple. There is often an autosomal dominant inheritance. The cysts generally have a round appearance.
A black, dark portion of the cyst is visible on the skin. If squeezed, the cysts exude a stringy, cheesy white
material. If the cysts become infected, they will become red and tender. Sebaceous Cysts are primarily a
cosmetic problem or a nuisance if they form in body regions that are easily irritated, such as the armpit.
These cysts are benign and do not develop into cancer.
The skin has tiny glands under the surface which makes sebum. This is the 'oil' that makes the skin smooth.
If a gland's duct (channel) becomes blocked the sebum is still made. This then fills up the blocked pore to
form a cyst. The matter inside the cyst has the appearance of toothpaste. Sebaceous cysts tend to develop
in teenagers because of an interaction among hormones, sebum, and bacteria. During puberty, the glands in
the skin produce excessive sebum. In skin that is prone to acne, the sebum and dead skin cells clog the hair
follicles and form comedones, or clogged pores. A comedone may break through the pore wall underneath
the skin and release its contents. This causes a pimple or pustule. If this substance is released deep into the
skin it will cause a sebaceous cyst.
Virtually every adolescent experiences some comedones, or clogged pores. Generally, acne starts around
the age of 10 to 13 years and lasts 5 to 10 years. Around the age of 14 or 15 years, approximately 40% of
adolescents have acne that is serious enough to require a visit a healthcare provider. Acne happens in both
male and female adolescents, but males are more likely to have a severe form of acne. Some people
develop acne for the first time as an adult. Certain forms of acne tend to run in families. If an adolescent's
parents or older siblings have severe acne, the adolescent has a higher risk of developing severe acne.
Acne is more common in Caucasian Americans than in African Americans or people of Asian descent.
Epidermoid cysts are benign and do not have to be treated. If a patient elects to have a cyst removed, the
entire cyst wall and its contents must be removed. If not, recurrence of the cyst is certain. If a cyst becomes
infected, treatment may include administering antibiotics and then surgically removing the cyst. The total sac
of the Sebaceous Cyst must be removed. If the cheesy material is just squeezed out, the cyst will reform.
The removal of the cyst is usually performed by a physician. Sometimes a small incision is required. In the
case of infected cysts, antibiotics may be prescribed. Good hygiene may prevent the formation of
Sebaceous Cysts. Daily showers or baths with antibacterial soap are recommended. It is important to wash
the back. Some individuals are predisposed to development of these cysts, so even careful hygiene does
not prevent them.
Sebaceous cyst: Introduction
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More information about Sebaceous cyst
1. Sebaceous cyst: Introduction
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Treatments
5. Alternative Treatments
6. Misdiagnosis
7. Types
8. Complications
9. Prognosis
A sebaceous cyst is a type of cyst that forms in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
Sebaceous cysts are common, noncancerous, and are generally not a serious condition.
A sebaceous cyst, also sometimes called an epidermal cyst, forms when keratin, a protein that
makes of the epidermis, blocks a sebaceous gland. This creates a contained sac that fills with a
fatty white substance secreted by the sebaceous gland called sebum. The contents of the
sebaceous are often referred to as resembling cottage cheese. Sebaceous cysts can be caused
by skin trauma, swollen hair follicles, high levels of testosterone, and some hereditary
syndromes.
The primary symptom of a sebaceous cyst is a painless nodule or pale lump in the skin.
Complications can include infection of a sebaceous cyst that results in further symptoms. For
more information on symptoms, refer to symptoms of sebaceous cyst.
A diagnosis of a sebaceous cyst is generally made by its appearance. However, a biopsy may
be performed to check for other conditions, such as infection or skin cancer. It is possible that
recognition and diagnosis of a sebaceous cyst is delayed or missed because symptoms of the
condition are often mild and cause no discomfort or can resemble other diseases. For more
information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of sebaceous cyst.
Often a sebaceous cyst requires no treatment, and it may disappear by itself. If a sebaceous
cyst becomes very large or infected, treatment may include medications, local applications of
heat, and surgical incision. Sebaceous cysts that are removed or go away on their own can
reappear. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of sebaceous cyst. ...more »
Sebaceous cyst: Cyst producing sebum. More detailed information about
the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Sebaceous cyst is available below.
Sebaceous cyst: Symptoms
Symptoms of a sebaceous cyst include the development of a painless round bump in the skin.
Sebaceous cysts vary in size and are generally pale colored and are movable under the skin.
Sebaceous cysts can appear anywhere on the body except on the palms of the hands and the
soles of the feet. They tend to arise in places that are hairy, such as the scalp and a ...more
symptoms »
Sebaceous cyst: Treatments
Because sebaceous cysts are often harmless and cause no pain, they may require no
treatment. They may also go away on their own.
Occasionally, a sebaceous cyst may become infected, or it may grow large enough to cause
embarrassment or discomfort by rubbing on clothing or interfering with daily activities.
Sometimes using a warm compress a couple of ...more treatments »
Sebaceous cyst: Misdiagnosis
A diagnosis of sebaceous cyst may be delayed or missed because the nodules may be small
and often do not cause discomfort. However, it is important not to assume that skin nodules or
growths are harmless. A sebaceous cyst can look similar to more serious conditions, such
as skin cancer,actinic keratosis, MRSA infection or boils. Skin nodules or growth ...more
misdiagnosis »
Symptoms of Sebaceous cyst
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• Painless smooth skin lump
• Thick yellowy sebum in the lump
• Sebaceous cysts may appear in various places:
o Back sebaceous cyst
o Scalp sebaceous cyst
• more symptoms...»
See full list of 8 symptoms of Sebaceous cyst
Treatments for Sebaceous cyst
• Watchful waiting - many sebaceous cysts are harmless and need no treatment until they
cause any symptoms.
• Surgical removal of sebaceous cyst
• Treatment of sebaceous abscess:
o Antibiotics
o Surgical drainage of abscess
• more treatments...»
