A cyst is a type of growth that can occur anywhere on your body, inside and outside. Dermatologists primarily deal with cysts on or within the skin, such as epidermoid cysts and sebaceous cysts.
Each cyst is filled with fluid, air, pus, or other organic substances. While it may be tempting to pop a cyst on your skin by yourself, you shouldn’t do so: Without removing its entire sac, a cyst can grow back even larger than before.
The vast majority of skin cysts are noncancerous, but there are multiple reasons why you might choose to get treatment for them anyway. The Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery team evaluates your cyst to decide on the best course of treatment.
Many cysts are not only benign but painless. While it might be bothersome having a bump on your skin, it might not be a big deal if the cyst is small and uninflamed.
It’s up to you if you want to treat a cyst for cosmetic purposes. However, you should also schedule an appointment at the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery if your cyst:
Some cysts intermittently drain on their own, with yellow material coming out of their heads. Any yellowish drainage from a cyst is usually broken-down keratin that has seeped into the growth.
Treating a cyst often requires careful surgical extraction of the growth and its sac. While many cysts go away without treatment, you can choose to pursue professional care for any cyst that is particularly bothersome, irritated, unsightly, or painful.
The simple surgery for cysts, called excision, takes place in the office at Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery. You don’t need to be asleep for the procedure. Instead, the team numbs the cyst and a margin of tissue around it with local anesthesia.
If you have a cyst that is particularly inflamed, another option for treatment is an injection to reduce the inflammation. You can also have your cyst incised and drained, but this method usually leads to cyst regrowth.
For more information on cyst removal and treatment, call the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery or book an appointment online today.