Cysts on the face are usually a blockage of sebum or keratin that occurs in the skin and hair follicles. These cysts usually feel like a small bean stuck under the surface of the skin, and are often surrounded by small red and white areas. While a cyst may look similar to a pimple, it is deeper in the skin and shouldn't be "squeezed" like you would a blackhead. Fortunately, there are several ways to help speed up the healing of the cyst, as well as medical methods to completely remove it.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Trying Home Remedies
Step 1. Try using a warm compress
Wet the washcloth with warm water. Avoid using hot water, as it can scald your skin. Gently press the washcloth on the cyst and the area around it. Leave it on until the washcloth cools down. You can repeat this step twice if your washcloth cools too quickly. You can also do this procedure several times each day.
- A warm compress can help break down the protein or oil in the cyst and speed up healing. However, not all cases can be handled this way.
- Some reports suggest that this procedure can reduce the life of the cyst by half.
Step 2. Don't try to pop or pop your cyst yourself
Popping or squeezing a cyst can make your cyst worse. This is because the cyst can go deep into the skin, and if you try to perform the procedure yourself (without the help of an experienced doctor), you will likely not be able to do it effectively. On the other hand, this can exacerbate inflammation and make the cyst come back in a more severe condition than before due to incomplete drainage and inadequate healing. Therefore, let the doctor do this procedure rather than you trying it yourself.
Step 3. Recognize the signs of complications
If the cyst is infected or inflamed, you should see a doctor for treatment guidelines. Watch for and look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness around the cyst
- Redness around the cyst
- The skin around the cyst feels warm
- Cysts secrete a grayish-white fluid that often has a foul odor
- All of the signs above are indications that your cyst may have become infected or inflamed.
Step 4. Turn to medical treatment if your cyst doesn't go away on its own within a month
Go to the doctor immediately if your cyst has complications, or does not heal on its own (especially if this bothers you because of the pain it causes or because it interferes with appearance). You can choose from a variety of medical options for treating cysts on the face.
Method 2 of 2: Trying Medical Treatment
Step 1. Make an appointment with a dermatologist
If your health care coverage calls for a referral to a specialist, make an appointment with a general practitioner first. Tell the doctor about your medical history accurately, and also explain the history of your facial cyst in detail.
Step 2. Get a cortisone injection into the cyst you have
This can help shrink the cyst by reducing inflammation. In this case, giving cortisone can speed up healing. This procedure can be done easily and quickly which can be completed with just one visit to the doctor.
Step 3. Ask about incisions and fluid collection
Because cysts are usually filled with fluid, when the doctor punctures the surface of the cyst, the fluid inside will drain out (or be removed), thereby speeding up the healing process. However, one drawback is that this method cannot prevent cysts from coming back. On the other hand, although this method is very effective if used for a short period of time, often the cyst will come back at a later date. However, it's still worth a try and may be the treatment you've been looking for!
- The doctor will pierce the cyst with a sharp object and remove all the keratin, sebum or other substances from the cyst, so that the cyst can be healed.
- The incision and fluid collection should be followed by cleaning and dressing to prevent infection. Follow the instructions given by your doctor after you undergo this procedure to maintain cleanliness in the area.
- Never remove a cyst at home or do it yourself, because if not done properly it can cause scars.
Step 4. Switch to surgical options if your cyst doesn't heal
If your cyst doesn't heal, and you've tried other ways to treat it but to no avail, it may be time for surgery. Usually, doctors are only willing to perform surgery if there is little or no inflammation around the cyst. Consequently, if your cyst becomes inflamed, you may need to be given a corticosteroid injection to reduce the inflammation before surgery.
- You may choose to undergo a less severe surgery by removing only the front of the cyst wall and leaving the rest to heal on its own.
- Alternatively, the entire cyst can be removed surgically. This can prevent recurrence of the cyst or other problems in the future. This procedure requires stitches to be left for about a week after surgery. After a week, go to the doctor to have the stitches removed.
- If you choose to have the cyst completely removed, if possible ask your doctor to make an incision through the mouth to avoid scarring. This is a new surgical technique that is increasingly being used by people, because it will not interfere with the appearance of the face.
Step 5. Follow the postoperative instructions carefully
After undergoing surgery, carefully follow all instructions from the surgeon so that the healing process is optimal. Since the cyst is removed from the face, proper healing is very important so that you avoid facial damage in the future. Possible complications that occur after surgery include scarring, infection, and/or damage to the facial muscles.
