What is a Sebaceous Cyst?
Dear Reader, A sebaceous cyst is a catch-all term for a benign, harmless growth that occurs under the skin and tends to be smooth to the touch. Ranging in size, sebaceous cysts are usually found on the scalp, face, ears, and genitals, but can occur anywhere on the body. They are formed when the release of sebum, a medium-thick fluid produced by sebaceous glands in the skin, is blocked. Most of the time, sebaceous cysts don’t require medical attention: they can either disappear on their own or stay the same size without causing any problems. If cysts become infected or grow to a bothersome size, health care providers can remove them or prescribe treatment with steroids or antibiotics. Cysts can recur if they are not removed completely.
A sebaceous cyst is a lump that is found on the body. It contains a closed sac that contains an oily substance that resembles cheese. This substance is called sebum. Often the contents of a sebaceous cyst have a foul odor. The primary symptom of a sebaceous cyst is a bump that can occur on any part of the body. However, they tend to show up on the face and neck; some people develop them in the breast or abdomen area, and they may also show up in the genital area. Sometimes, a sebaceous cyst becomes infected. When this occurs, symptoms of infection may include redness and tenderness; sometimes the skin over the cyst may become warm or hot. Likewise, a foul, cheesy-looking substance may begin to drain from the bump. In general, a sebaceous cyst is very easy to diagnose. An experienced medical professional can usually tell what it is by simply looking at it. However, doctors sometimes order biopsies in order to make sure a patient doesn’t have another condition that looks similar. Treatme
The epidermis, the top layer of your skin, is made up of a thin protective layer of cells that you continuously shed. Most sebaceous cysts form when these surface cells, instead of shedding normally, move deeper into your skin and multiply. This often happens in areas where there are small hair follicles and large sebaceous glands, such as your genitals, upper back, neck, and face. The multiplying cells form the walls of the sebaceous cyst, and secrete keratin into the interior. Keratin makes up the thick “cheesy” substance that sometimes drains from the cyst. Several factors contribute to the abnormal proliferation of cells, including: • Impaired sebaceous glands: Sebaceous glands are located just above hair follicles. They produce sebum, the oily substance that coats your skin and hair. Your sebaceous glands can easily be impaired by inflammatory skin conditions like acne. Ruptured sebaceous glands are likely sites for sebaceous cysts. • Hair follicle damage: A follicle is a small po
