Cysts are pockets underneath the surface of the skin that usually contain fluid and skin cells. They can occur anywhere on the body and are much more common in adults than children. The most common types of cysts appearing on the surface of the skin are epidermoid cysts and trichelemmal cysts. These pockets are not cancerous and do not typically cause major health problems. However, they can grow or become painful. Some may also become inflamed or infected. In those cases, treatment of cysts may be recommended.
Causes of Cysts
The cells form the walls of the cyst and secrete keratin into the middle to fill the cyst up. This process may begin for a number of reasons, including a blocked hair follicle, ruptured sebaceous gland or trauma to the skin.
Treatment for Cysts
Cysts may require treatment if they become infected or painful. In some cases, cysts may also be removed for cosmetic reasons, if they are in a visible location. Treatment for cysts usually involves the following:
- Incision and drainage of the cyst.
- Medication to shrink the cyst
- Surgical removal of the cyst
Draining takes place using a sharp, sterile object to pierce the surface of the cyst and remove the substance inside. If the cyst is inflamed and painful, corticosteroid medication may be injected into the area, causing the cyst to shrink. Total excision surgically removes the cyst, dramatically decreasing the recurrence rate.
Benign Growth
Many benign growths such as seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, sebaceous hyperplasia, warts, hemangioma and other growth are also evaluated and treated by dermatologist.