Sebaceous cysts are benign, closed, dense sacs that lie in the skin and often form a dome-shaped lump attached to the epidermis that can be moved to the underlying tissues. These cysts mainly form on the face, neck, shoulders, or chest (hairy parts of the body). These cysts are very common and can occur in people of all ages. These cysts are not contagious and there is no risk of developing into cancer (in other words, they are benign). However, these cysts can become infected and become severe. To start the healing process, start with Step 1 below.
Step
Part 1 of 4: With Conservative Care
Step 1. Use a warm compress on the cyst
Towels that have been warmed to 37-40 °C (100-105°F) can be applied 3-4 times a day for no more than 10-30 minutes until the cyst drains. This method widens blood vessels and increases local tissue perfusion for the delivery of nutrients needed for healing. The increased blood flow also removes inflammatory exudate and waste products from the area of swelling.
- In addition, warmth reduces pain by acting as a reciprocal irritant that masks the pain of inflammation.
- Sebaceous cysts can be left alone if they do not bother the patient; Most sebaceous cysts are harmless and only aesthetically pleasing. However, if the cyst becomes infected, you should seek medical care.
Step 2. Keep the cyst clean
Be sure to regularly and thoroughly wash the skin with a non-irritating antimicrobial soap under running water. Dry the skin with a clean cloth or towel and cover it with a sterile bandage – keep the bandage dry at all times.
- Antiseptic drugs that can be purchased without a prescription (such as povidone-iodine) can also be used but are not mandatory. Use the remedy once daily and each time the bandage gets wet and/or soiled until the skin forms a healing crust.
- Avoid using cosmetic and skin care products on the cyst area. These products can cause further irritation and infection.
Step 3. Never pop a sebaceous cyst yourself
This type of cyst drains naturally; trying to pop a sebaceous cyst puts you at risk for further infection and can lead to permanent scarring. Resist temptation -- if the sebaceous cyst bothers you, go to the doctor to have it removed.
If the sebaceous cyst ruptures due to the healing process or accidentally bursts, which causes the skin to tear; wash the area thoroughly with running water and a non-irritating antimicrobial soap
Step 4. Seek medical care if infection occurs
If signs of infection occur -- pain, swelling, redness, and warmth -- contact your doctor immediately for appropriate medical treatment. This treatment is a very routine procedure and nothing to worry about; however, if left alone, you can develop septic, which is a very, very serious condition.
Even if your cyst doesn't appear to be infected, you may want to see a doctor. A very simple incision will be made and the cyst can disappear in just a few minutes. In the end you will wonder why you waited so long
Part 2 of 4: With Untested Home Remedies
Step 1. Try tea tree oil
Oil made from tea tree is a great antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment. This oil can kill the bacteria that cause infection. However, know that there is little science to support a link between tea tree oil and cysts.
To use this remedy, just put a drop or two of tea tree oil on the lesion and cover it with a plaster. Use tea tree oil once a day, in the morning, and leave the lesions open at night
Step 2. Use castor oil
Castor oil contains ricin, a chemical that is very effective against bacteria. Soak a piece of cloth in castor oil and place it on the cyst. Place a hot compress on a cloth moistened with castor oil, and hold it for 30 minutes. The heat will help the oil seep into the skin more easily. Ricin will kill the bacteria that cause infection.
Again, science on this subject is still lacking. This oil may have the potential to fight bacteria, but its effect on cysts is questionable. It probably won't be harmful, but it might also be ineffective
Step 3. Use aloe vera
Aloe vera contains phenolic compounds which have antibiotic properties. Apply aloe vera gel directly to the lesion and gently rub it in until it is absorbed into the skin. Do this every day, until the infection clears up.
Aloe vera is a treatment that has been used for centuries. Aloe vera is one of the most powerful natural healing agents. However, again, there is no science to show that this is a sure and perfect treatment for curing cysts
Step 4. Try witch hazel
Witch hazel contains tannins, which will remove excess oil that coats the skin and will increase blood flow. The additional blood flowing to the area will help the infection heal faster, as more antibodies are carried to the area of infection.
- Apply a small amount of witch hazel gel (one pea-sized drop) directly to the lesion and rub it gently. Do this every day for about a week.
- Again, science on this subject is still lacking and only effective according to theory.
Step 5. Experiment with apple cider vinegar
The main compound found in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid. This acid is antiseptic so it kills bacteria that cause infection. However, this is very common and not specific to cysts. In other words, don't just rely on this medication alone.
- Apply vinegar on the cyst area and cover it with a bandage. Remove the bandage after 3 or 4 days. You will find that a hard layer has formed over the lesion.
- When the crust is removed, the pus will drain out along with the bacteria. Clean the area and apply a new, vinegar-free bandage. After 2 or 3 days, the cyst should have healed.
Step 6. Use dandelions
Boil a bag of dried dandelion herbs in four cups of water. Boil gently for 45 minutes after boiling and drink the tea 3 or 4 times a day. Continue doing this treatment for about a week.
Dandelion is a spice that contains taraxacin, a natural antibiotic. However, the science on this subject only ends there. Medical treatment is much more effective for removing cysts than any herbal treatment
Part 3 of 4: With Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get antibiotics
Antibiotics that are effective against infection will be prescribed as soon as possible by your doctor. Make sure you finish the medication so the infection doesn't weaken and recur. Your cyst will begin to disappear within a week at the earliest.
Flucloxacillin is one of the most common antibiotics used in cases of infected sebaceous cysts. Take a 500 mg pill every 8 hours, for a week, to cure the infection
Step 2. Surgical operation
Surgical surgery is a simple operation in which the cyst is completely removed. Don't worry -- the area around the lesion is numbed with a local anesthetic. Here is what you need to know:
- After anesthesia is performed, the surgeon will make an oval incision on either side of the center of the lesion, or a single incision in the center of the lesion. If the cyst is small, the doctor can puncture it instead of cutting it out.
- The keratin around the cyst will be squeezed out. Retractors will be used to hold the edges of the incision open while the doctor uses forceps to remove the cyst.
- If the lesion is still intact when removed, it means the surgery was a success and the healing rate will be 100 percent.
- However, if the lesion ruptures, a curettage procedure will need to be performed and the remaining tissue will need to be cauterized. The wound will be closed with stitches after the procedure is complete.
- In cases where the cyst is infected, the same antibiotic treatment will be prescribed for a week to treat it.
Step 3. Treat the area after the surgery
All of the recommendations in the first section also apply to post-surgical operations. The most important thing is to keep the area clean and not to touch it. As long as you take care of the area, there won't be any complications.
Find out if stitches are used to close the wound. If so, it's very important to remember when stitches need to be removed (1 - 2 weeks at most). Note: some types of sutures can be absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed
Step 4. Use an herbal antiseptic as your cleanser, if you prefer
You can use any of the ingredients below:
- Guava leaves. Boil whole guava leaves in a clay pot filled with boiling water for 15 minutes. Refrigerate until it reaches a tolerable temperature - warm temperatures are ideal. Use this solution to wash the wound.
- Aloe vera. After being washed and dried, apply a lot of aloe vera sap to the wound on the skin and let it dry. You can do this several times a day if you want.
- Just in case, you should always test small amounts of all these household remedies to see if any allergic reactions occur. A good area to test for allergies is on the forearm on the same surface as the palm of your hand - the light, thin skin on this area makes it easier for you to feel and tell if there is itching and redness.
Part 4 of 4: Understand the Causes and Complications of Sebaceous Cysts
Step 1. Recognize that abnormal cell proliferation is the cause of sebaceous cyst formation
The surface of the skin is composed of keratin, a thin layer of cells that protects the skin. The keratin layer is constantly peeling off and being replaced by new clusters of cells. Instead of normal exfoliation, cells can move deeper into the skin and continue to proliferate. Keratin will be secreted into your body, so a cyst is formed.
These cysts are harmless -- just not aesthetically pleasing. Only if a tumor or infection occurs is this abnormal proliferation something to be concerned about
Step 2. Be aware that these cysts can be triggered by hair follicle damage
Sounds harmless, right? Even just a hair follicle can create a sebaceous cyst. If you were worried that you might be suffering from a serious health problem, know that it could actually be just a strand of hair.
If this is the cause, the tiny pockets of modified skin found within the dermis, which is the second layer of skin, are referred to as hair follicles. Every hair grows from each of these pouches. Follicles that are damaged due to constant irritating factors or surgical wounds will become damaged and form scars, resulting in blockage
Step 3. Be aware that these cysts can also be developmental defects
During the process of fetal development, stem cells that were originally responsible for forming skin, nails, or hair can end up trapped inside other cells. These trapped cells will continue to form keratin within the cells, which over time will become cysts.
If you have repeated cysts, talk to your doctor about your options. For the record, these cysts are more disturbing than worrying
Step 4. Know that infection can make the cyst more serious
If the cyst ruptures, bacteria can contaminate it, resulting in infection. The cyst will be painful and will begin to resemble a pimple. This cyst will release pus as well as wet keratin deposits. The area around it will be red and slightly swollen. If this happens, you need to seek medical care.
If left untreated, this infection will continue to get worse and will eventually affect your body as a whole. While the cyst itself is nothing to worry about, an infected cyst requires treatment
Step 5. Know that inflammation can easily occur
Even if the cyst is not infected, it can still become inflamed. If the cyst is constantly exposed to irritating factors, such as rubbing against a rough cloth, the cyst will become inflamed.
- Fortunately, it's usually fairly easy to reduce inflammation, either with an NSAID (such as Tylenol) or by simply eliminating the irritating factor.
- Inflamed cysts are difficult to remove, as the area is prone to infection. If surgery is needed, it will be postponed until the cyst is no longer inflamed.
Step 6. Know that the cyst can burst
A ruptured cyst will trigger an immune reaction if foreign material penetrates your skin. This will cause a collection of pus, called an abscess, to form. This is more likely to occur with large cysts. A ruptured cyst is better treated by a doctor.
A ruptured cyst needs to be kept as clean and hygienic as possible. Visit your doctor for advice on how to treat the cyst and what medical treatment you should undergo
Tips
- Cysts located in the genital area can cause very serious discomfort when urinating or during sexual intercourse. This is because the cyst is inflamed and painful. Check with your doctor if you experience further complications.
- Sebaceous cysts are non-infectious and non-malignant. If it's not infected, there's nothing to worry about.
- The prognosis is excellent for sebaceous cysts; most cysts do not require treatment, and excision is usually curative.
- The substance found in cysts usually has a toothpaste-like consistency and is basically keratin (the compound that makes up hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin) that is wet.
