Cysts are harmless but will not disappear without treatment. They may grow in size over time, and occasionally become inflamed or infected. Some people choose to leave their cysts alone. Others choose to remove cysts that are increasing in size or are aesthetically displeasing. It is often sensible to remove cysts early, before symptoms occur or worsen. Sebaceous cyst removal is a practical and safe choice for anyone experiencing pain or discomfort. Resist the temptation to pop or squeeze a cyst as it will invariably refill and may even cause an infection.
Your dermatologist can usually diagnose a cyst just by how it looks. The treatment options will then be discussed and includes monitoring, antibiotic treatment or surgical removal. Your trained dermatological surgeon will be able to perform your choice of treatment to the highest standard.
For uncomplicated cysts, we often perform removal using the minimal excision technique. This is a simple and effective technique which leaves minimal scarring and a very low rate of recurrence. Instead of simply squeezing out or draining the contents of the cyst, the entire cyst wall and cyst contents are removed, minimizing any risk of the cyst coming back. Once numbing injection is placed around the cyst, the procedure is usually fast and painless. A small cut is made on the surface of the skin to remove the much larger cyst below. The resulting scar is usually small and cosmetically pleasing.
Infected cysts often present as red, hot painful and swollen lumps on the skin. These are usually first treated with antibiotics, steroid injections or drainage. Once the inflammation resolves, your dermatological surgeon will advise complete cyst removal to prevent it from becoming symptomatic again.
Do contact us if you have a problematic sebaceous cyst requiring fast and effective treatment. We are able to offer same-day removal service for uninfected cysts in our on-site day surgery facility. This can remove the bump from your skin and leave you blemish free in hours. The resulting wound is usually small and and will fade over time to leave a faint scar.