Eradicating Epidermoid Cysts

You have a small round bump under your skin on your face. It isn’t painful but it is not very attractive. You could have an epidermoid cyst.

Epidermoid cysts are noncancerous small bumps beneath the skin that are most common on the face, neck or trunk. Slow growing and often painless, epidermoid cysts rarely cause problems or need treatment. But many people choose to have the cyst removed by a doctor if its appearance is bothersome or if it’s painful, ruptured or infected.

Many people refer to epidermoid cysts as sebaceous cysts, but they’re different. Epidermoid cysts are small, round bumps under the skin. The surface of your skin is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that your body continuously sheds, but epidermoid cysts form when these cells move deeper into the skin and multiply rather than slough off.

True sebaceous cysts are less common. They arise from the glands that secrete oily matter that lubricates hair and skin (sebaceous glands). Most epidermoid cysts don’t cause problems or need treatment. However you should see your doctor if the cyst grows rapidly, ruptures, becomes infected or bothers you for cosmetic reasons.

Keep in mind that for safe removal of the cyst, incision and drainage may be needed for an infected cyst. Once the infection has subsided, the cyst can be surgically removed.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, an epidermoid cyst may become concerning if it has characteristics like:

§  Signs of infection, including pain, redness, swelling and/or drainage.

§  A faster rate of growth.

§  A diameter larger than five centimeters.

It might be difficult for the average person to determine whether a lump/growth is a cyst or something else. Please see a dermatologist for a correct diagnosis.

Though epidermoid cysts can appear at any age, it tends to affect people between the age of 20 and 60 years old. The cysts rarely appear before puberty. They are more common in men than in women.

Epidermoid cysts aren’t contagious. They don’t go away by itself completely unless removed surgically by an excision. But an epidermoid cyst may shrink in size and remain asymptomatic for some time where treatment is unnecessary.

Though epidermoid cysts can occur at random, some genetic conditions may be associated with development of the cysts such as:

§  Gardner syndrome (Familial Colorectal Polyposis).

§  Gorlin syndrome (Basal Cell Nevus syndrome).

§  Favre-Racouchot syndrome.

Some medications may be associated with an increased risk of developing epidermoid cysts like BRAF inhibitors, imiquimod and cyclosporine.

Epidermoid cysts are formed from the follicular infundibulum, a part of the hair follicle. The cysts form when the follicular infundibulum is disrupted or when the surface of the skin becomes implanted below the skin through an injury or trauma to the area, like a scratch, surgical wound or a skin condition such as acne.

The main symptom of an epidermoid cyst is a small moveable lump under the skin. The lump is usually not painful. However, in some cases, cysts can get inflamed or tender to the touch. The skin surrounding the area of the cyst can get red and/or warm.

Some cysts may reduce in size and become asymptomatic, while others continue to grow until treatment. Without treatment, you may have the epidermoid cyst for the rest of your life.

Epidermoid cysts are diagnosed through simple examination of the skin. In some cases, a biopsy is required to rule out other skin growths.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you have an epidermoid cyst, he or she can order other tests such as an ultrasound (to determine the contents of the cyst), a punch biopsy (to see if it is cancerous), and a CT scan (to confirm the diagnosis and determine the plan for removal).

In many cases, the cysts can be left untreated and monitored since they aren’t causing any symptoms. But if a cyst becomes inflamed and painful, your health care provider may treat the cyst with an injection of steroid medication, an incision and drainage or surgical excision. Never try to burst the cyst and drain it yourself because the cyst may grow back.

If your epidermoid cyst becomes infected, you might need antibiotics. Risks of surgical excision of a cyst include a small chance of bleeding, infection or a small scar where the cyst was. Warm compresses over the cyst will help reduce inflammation and pain.

Never try to diagnose the cyst on your own and treat it. Consult your healthcare provider if you find a lump under your skin. It could be an epidermoid cyst or some other kind of cyst. Don’t rely on the Web. Don’t be afraid to trust your physician regarding the correct diagnosis.