Sebaceous cysts are usually hard, filled with fluid, and appear like bumps under the layer of the skin. They are generally movable and traditionally found in the torso, neck, and face. Usually, healthcare professionals call them sebaceous cysts, epithelial cysts, or epidermal cysts.
Usually, skin cysts are non-cancerous and benign, and they do not cause many health problems. They are neither painful, but they become painful only if they are damaged, inflamed, or infected. If in case the cyst bursts, then it might cause infections or health issues.
Most skin cysts do not require any treatment, and the only thing you can do is clean them and not interfere with them. A doctor will suggest removing the cyst only if it is causing some discomfort to you. This discomfort may be due to infection because the cyst is restricting your everyday activities, or because of pain. If you remove the cyst, it may leave a small scar.
When doctors try to remove the cysts, they usually dismiss them completely, which might reappear if the sac remains. If the cysts get infected, then they might require more treatment under specialists.
If the cyst becomes infected, it may turn reddish due to inflammation. Some infectious cysts also have a whitish appearance due to the pus, which might smell unpleasant. You should immediately go to the doctor if you suspect any cyst infection and they will give you some antibiotic medication. In the meantime, you can do the following:
• Apply warm water compress
• Keep it clean by washing it regularly with mild microbial soap
• Do not clean it with any cosmetic products
Some people also try to use home remedies such as aloe vera, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar, but still, there is no confirmed news about their effectiveness for this purpose.
Most cysts do not develop many kinds of complicated issues; the only complication that might appear is a skin infection which only happens if there are bacteria that have entered the cyst. However, in rare cases, cysts can reach something more profound and connect to the underlying tissue. If you see that your lump is fixed, then you should immediately go to a doctor. An experienced doctor will be able to guide you better. Home treatment should be avoided at all costs.
Skin cysts normally develop when the cells move inward rather than moving to the skin's surface or shedding away, which is a normal process. The top layer of the skin is called the epidermis, and the topmost layer is the area where the skin eventually sheds away. There is no apparent cause of the cyst. In some cases, it is due to genetic reasons, and in some cases, it also gets developed around hair follicles which might also have a genetic basis. Getting it treated as soon as possible is advisable to avoid infection.