Different Types Of Skin Cysts: Meaning, Symptoms, Facts, and Treatment

Perhaps many of us are worried when they notice lumps or bumps in the skin, called cyst. Did you know that they are more common in men than in women? They can develop for many reasons -- and sometimes for no obvious reason.

Skin cysts do not usually hurt, but can become tender, sore and red if they become infected. Another sign of infection is having foul-smelling pus coming out of the cyst.

To determine skin cyst, it is a round, dome-shaped lump. It's yellow or white, often with a small dark plug through which you might be able to squeeze out pus.

They grow slowly. Also cysts can range in size from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across.

So how skin cysts are formed? Some of the cells in the top layer of skin produce keratin, a protein that gives skin its strength and flexibility.

In general, these cells move up to the surface of the skin as they start to die so they can be shed. But the cells sometimes move deeper into your skin and multiply, forming a sac. They secrete keratin into the middle of the sac, which forms a thick, yellow paste. This can ooze out of the cyst if it's burst.

Different Types of Skin Cysts

Epidermoid cysts (one of the main types) are commonly found on the face, neck, chest, shoulders or skin around the genitals. This type of skin cysts can affect young and middle-aged adults, and are particularly common in people with acne. They do not usually run in families.

Pilar cysts can be form around hair follicles. They're often found on the scalp. Normally they can affect middle-aged adults, particularly women. Unlike epidermoid cysts, they run in families.

Chalazion or meibomian cyst is another type of cyst that they can form on the eyelid.

Skin Cysts Treatments

Most of the time skin cysts don’t need treatment, as mentioned above they’re usually painless and nothing to worry about, except when they get sore or infected.

In this matter, if you experiencing some pain along development of the cysts and embarrassment that bothers you it is worth to get an appointment and get check to your doctor.

So as early as possible you will know if there is serious problem about your skin conditions.

Sometimes cysts will go away on their own. Holding a warm flannel against the skin will encourage the cyst to heal and reduce any inflammation.

See your doctor if you think the cyst is infected. You may need a course of antibiotics. Cysts can be removed at some specialist surgeries who offer this service.

If your surgery does not offer minor surgery facilities, you may be referred to a specialist, or you could pay for private treatment. Here are some options for treatment:

Draining the cyst. The doctor cuts the cyst and pushes out the gunk inside. Cysts can still return after this.

Injecting medicine into the cyst to reduce swelling if it’s tender, swollen or growing,

During a cyst removal, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the skin. A tiny cut is then made in the skin and the cyst is squeezed out.

This procedure will leave a scar. The cyst may also grow back, particularly if it was removed from the scalp or scrotum.

Things to keep in mind:

Do not be tempted to burst the cyst. If it's infected, you risk spreading the infection, and it can grow back if the sac is left underneath the skin.

Always keep it clean by washing with warm soap and water.

You can also try putting a bathwater-warm washcloth on it for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a day, to help soothe it and speed healing.

If it starts to drain make sure to wrap it in a bandage then make an appointment with your doctor.

Source: WebMD

Different Types Of Skin Cysts: Meaning, Symptoms, Facts, and Treatment

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