Cysts

What is a cyst?

You can develop a cyst just about anywhere, but they’re most common on the face, neck, and torso. They can range in size from microscopic to a few inches wide. Generally, cysts are benign, but you need an examination for confirmation. 

Many types of cysts exist, including:

Epidermal Inclusion Cysts

Epidermoid cysts appear as lumps or bumps beneath the surface of the skin. They are caused by sacs forming under the skin that fill with sloughing skin cells and oil gland secretions. They can grow quite large and if they become inflamed can be quite painful.

Trichilemmal cyst

These “pilar” cysts generally form on the scalp and usually come in groups. They have a thick wall, so excision is relatively easy.

Milia

These small cysts are usually found around the eyes and present as small firm whitish lesions. These generally arise for no apparent reason, but there are some diseases and dermatologic treatments that can trigger their development. 

Lipoma

A lipoma is a benign collection of fat cells growing beneath the surface of your skin. These are classified as tumors but are generally harmless. These can sometimes be painful or enlarge rapidly. If bothersome, these can typically be removed in the office. Larger and deeper lesions may require the assistance of a general surgeon for removal.Hidrocystomas

These benign cystic tumors develop from the sweat glands of the body. They usually appear on the face, particularly the eyelid, or scalp.

Why do cysts form?

Cysts form due to genetics, infectious disease, or an underlying medical condition. Usually, though, cysts don’t cause symptoms and go unnoticed and don’t require treatment.

If you have a cyst that’s in a cosmetically bothersome place or that causes pain, it may need treatment. Your cyst may rub against clothing or feel like a strong lump or bump.

How are cysts treated?

Most cysts don’t require any treatment. But, if you have a cyst that is painful or symptomatic, the team at Idaho Skin Institute tailors treatment to your particular case, depending on your cysts size and symptoms.

Incision and drainage can resolve many cysts quickly. During this procedure, your dermatologist makes a small incision through the skin and cyst wall and removes the cyst contents causing it to shrink. This treatment is quick but often fails to prevent the recurrence of the cyst.

In some cases, your dermatologist may inject the cyst with a medicine that reduces swelling and inflammation. Minor office-based surgery to remove the entire cyst is an option for larger or recurrent cysts. The surgery is in-office and generally prevents cysts from recurring.

If you have a bothersome cyst, don’t hesitate to contact Idaho Skin Institute. Call the office or book online today.