A sebaceous or epidermal cyst is a lump that forms in the outermost layer (skin) of your skin. It establishes when an oil-producing (sebaceous) gland in your skin is obstructed, developing a hollow sac filled with fatty, yellowish compound that appears like home cheese. These cysts frequently include swollen hair follicles or lumps that result from skin injury. Sebaceous cysts are generally safe, but an infected sebaceous cyst can be an issue.
Symptoms
A sebaceous cyst is a movable, pain-free bump that is often slow-growing under your skin. However, often, it can end up being infected due to injury or repeated contact with bacteria from your hands. Typical symptoms and signs of an infected sebaceous cyst include tenderness, soreness, hot sensation over the impacted skin, and fluid with waxy and oily look. As for the typical skin cysts, you can also drain pipes tacky and grayish white things with bad smell from the lump.
Call your doctor if any of these symptoms occur:
- Increased inflammation around the afflicted area
- Worsening swelling and pain
- High fever (100.4 ° F/38 ºC or greater)
- Pus draining pipes from the cyst
Is It Dangerous?
Usually, this condition causes no serious problems. Infected sebaceous cyst need to be removed to prevent any more problems. While for sebaceous cysts that are not infected, an elimination is not a must, due to the fact that some cysts disappear with warm compress treatment or disappear by themselves.
If your cyst ruptures, you will experience symptoms like an infected boil and you need immediate treatment. In addition, an infected sebaceous cyst can be very painful and swollen. It may be hard to operate on, so your doctor might recommend you to wait till the inflammation decreases. Fortunately, no complications occur after surgical drain or cyst elimination for the most parts. Nevertheless, some people likewise report that sebaceous cysts can sometimes come back. Therefore, appropriate post-surgery care needs to be followed.
Medical Treatment
1. Antibiotics
Your doctor will most likely recommend antibiotics such as Flucloxacillin to treat your infected sebaceous cyst, which you should take as directed. You might feel much better after a few days, but you will be encouraged to continue ending up the entire course.
2. Get Surgery
Surgical removal of the cyst is sometimes essential. If the cyst is little with less intensity, your doctor will then apply a lance to drain and remove the cyst. For relatively larger cysts, the doctor will cut in oval from both sides or on the center to remove the cyst. Don’t fret about the pain, because a local anesthetic will be administered around the area to prevent you from experiencing any pain.
3. Post-Surgery Care
The most crucial thing to do after your surgery is to keep the area clean. There will be no complications, as long as you do not touch your wound unnecessarily. If the sutures are dissolvable, you will not need to go back to for removal of sutures.
In addition, organic cleaning can be applied to help faster healing. Guava leaves can be boiled in water to make antiseptic wash for you wound. Keep in mind to cool the solution before using. In addition, aloe vera leaves with thick and relaxing sap can be straight used on the wound, then just leave the sap on the wound and let dry. One thing to keep in mind is to test any homemade solution on the skin before using to prevent any allergic reaction.
Home Remedies
1. Warm Compress
Effect: Moist heat promotes blood circulation to your infected sebaceous cyst and accelerate recovery process. A warm compress dilates the capillary and enhances transport of nutrients to the area so that damaged tissues heal quicker. It likewise helps rinse toxic substances and debris triggering inflammation.
Usage tips: Soak a little towel in warm water. Wring the towel to get rid of excess water. Use the warm towel over your cyst for 10-20 minutes. Do this two to four times daily.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Effect: Tea tree oil helps in reducing the formation of frequent sebaceous cysts. It is a recognized antimicrobial representative that has fantastic anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory results.
Usage tips: Place one to two drops of tea tree oil on your infected sebaceous cyst. Cover with band-aid. Take off the Band-Aid after 8 to 10 hours and avoid sleeping with the band-aid on during the night. You can repeat this procedure in the next early morning.
3. Castor Oil
Effect: Castor oil counters itching and inflammation. It has actually a chemical called ricin which has anti-bacterial properties.
Usage tips: First, soak a clean piece of cloth in castor oil, then cover the cyst and location a warm compress. Hold for about half an hour. You can also carefully rub some castor oil over your cyst a couple of times daily.
4. Aloe Vera
Effect: Aloe vera is a popular home treatment that not only benefits the skin however your general health as well. With anti-bacterial home, it can alleviate pain and skin pain triggered by an infected sebaceous cyst. As pointed out above, aloe vera helps to speed up the injury healingprocess.
Usage tips: Apply some aloe vera gel directly on your sebaceous cyst. Carefully rub onto the area to help the gel penetrate into the cyst. Do this one or two times a day.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Effect: Apple cider vinegar is known for its strong antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It is an efficient cleansing agent that assists get rid of bacteria in wounds.
Usage tips: Soak a cotton ball in some apple cider vinegar and after that apply it to your cyst. Let it stay for a long time before removing. If you experience a stinging sensation, dilute with some water to make a solution and use it on the cyst. Do this 3 to four times daily.
