Sebaceous Cyst

Definition

Sebaceous cyst is a smooth, movable round lump just beneath the skin that are filled with an oily, white, semisolid material called sebum. If the sebum becomes infected, the cyst will be red and painful. They can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common places where it occurs is the scalp. Other places where it occurs are face, ears, labia, scrotum, chest, back or groin area. They can vary in size from few millimeters to few centimeters in diameter. They are not contagious and do not cause any serious problems. They are not cancerous even. They are very rare in children but are common in adults.

Causes of Sebaceous Cysts

Sebaceous cysts are caused when the surface skin cells move deeper into the skin and multiply. These cells form the wall of the cyst and secrete a soft, yellowish substance called keratin, which fills the cyst. If the wall of the cyst is ruptured, the keratin is discharged into the surrounding skin, which causes irritation and inflammation.

Sebaceous cysts most oftenly arises from swollen hair follicles. Some of the its causes are discussed below:

• Bacteria and other organisms, which cause infections and inflammation when they are trapped within the hair follicles.
• Hormones, particularly the hormone called androgen.
• Increased production of sebum, the oily substance within the hair follicles.
• Changes in the lining of the hair follicles.

Symptoms of Sebaceous Cysts

Some of the common symptoms of sebeceous cysts are:

• Release of a grayish white or brown discharge with a cheesy consistency.
• Painless smooth skin lump.
• A thick yellowy sebum in the lump.
• Tenderness, redness, or increased temperature of the skin may be encountered over the area of infection.

Treatment of Sebaceous Cyst

Sebaceous cysts usually dont require any treatment as they dissapear on their own with time and they are not at all dangerous. You may treat it only if it is irritating you a lot or the problem has become very severe. They are usually treated by a physician by making a small incision in the skin and emptying the contents of the cyst and its wall. However, sometimes they grow very large and interfere with your day to day life and in that case, they may appear again and may need to be removed surgically.

If the skin around the cyst also has become infected then you may need to treat it with steroid medications or with antibiotics.