Are epidermoid and pilar cysts harmful?
Not usually. If they do not bother you then it is best just to leave them alone. Sometimes a person with an epidermoid or pilar cyst requests that it be removed. This is usually for one of three reasons. • Cosmetic reasons. For example, the cyst is in an obvious site on the skin and looks unsightly. • They are sometimes easy to ‘catch’ and traumatise. This typically occurs on the scalp when combing hair. • If the cyst has become infected or irritating. Epidermoid and pilar cysts are benign. That is, they are not cancerous, do not spread to other parts of the body or cause any serious problems. Very rarely, a skin cancer may develop from an epidermoid or pilar cyst.
