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Cysts under the skin called epidermoid cysts are tiny, noncancerous lumps. Although they can appear anywhere on the skin, the face, neck, and trunk exhibit them the most frequently.
Epidermoid cysts rarely create issues or require treatment because of their gradual growth and frequent lack of pain. If a cyst concerns you due to its appearance or if it is painful, ruptured, or infectious, you may decide to have a doctor remove it.
Although they are distinct, epidermoid cysts are frequently confused with sebaceous cysts. Less frequently occur true sebaceous cysts. They come from the glands that secrete the lubricating oil that keeps hair and skin smooth (sebaceous glands).
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an epidermoid cyst include:
- A tiny, round bump beneath the skin that typically appears on the face, neck, or trunk.
- A little blackhead obstructing the cyst’s primary orifice.
- If the area is inflamed or infected, there will be redness, swelling, and soreness.
- Occasionally, a thick, stinky, yellow substance pours from the cyst.
Epidermoid cysts are mostly benign and don’t need to be treated. See a doctor if you experience any of the followings due to the epidermoid cyst:
- It grows very fast
- It takes place in an area that has frequent irritations
- It breaks, hurts, or gets infected
- Feeling uncomfortable of your skin for purely aesthetic motives
- Is in an odd place, like a finger or toe.
Causes
Your body constantly sheds the thin, protective layer of cells that make up the epidermis, the top layer of your skin. The majority of epidermoid cysts develop when these cells proliferate rather than slough off when they travel deeper into your skin. Cysts can occasionally develop as a result of skin damage or irritation to the outermost layer of a hair follicle.
The cyst’s walls are created by epidermal cells, which subsequently secrete the protein keratin into the cavity. The thick, yellow fluid that occasionally flows from the cyst is keratin. It’s possible that a damaged skin oil gland or hair follicle is the cause of this aberrant cell development.
Although they are distinct, epidermoid cysts are frequently confused with sebaceous cysts. Less frequently occur true sebaceous cysts. They come from the glands that secrete the lubricating oil that keeps hair and skin smooth (sebaceous glands).
Risk factors
Although almost anybody can get one or more epidermoid cysts, having specific hereditary condition, skin injury and passing puberty period are variables that increase your risk.
Diagnosis
Usually, a cyst examination by a doctor will reveal the condition. Your doctor may also scrape out a sample of skin to inspect it under a microscope or take a biopsy of it to send to the lab for thorough examination.
Although epidermoid cysts resemble sebaceous cysts, they are not the same. Damage to the outer layer of skin (epidermis) or the hair follicles causes true epidermoid cysts.
Treatment
Generally, if a cyst doesn’t hurt or interfere with your appearance, you can leave it alone. If you decide to get therapy, discuss your options with your doctor, including:
- Injection. During this procedure, a medication that lessens swelling and irritation is injected into the cyst.
- Incision and drainage. Your doctor uses this technique to make a tiny cut in the cyst and carefully squeeze out the contents. Although it is a very short and simple procedure, cysts frequently return after this therapy.
- Minor surgery. The entire cyst can be removed by your doctor. To have the stitches taken out, you might need to visit the doctor’s office again. Minimal surgery is risk-free, efficient, and typically keeps cysts from reappearing. The operation could be postponed by your doctor if your cyst is inflamed.
