Symptoms of Sebaceous Cysts
Wondering how to identify a sebaceous cyst or tell it apart from other skin lesions, such as acne? Here are some common signs your skin lump is a cyst:
- Blackhead — A tiny blackhead plugging the central opening of the cyst
- Drainage — A thick, yellow, smelly material that sometimes drains from the cyst
- Inflammation — Redness, swelling, and tenderness in the area
- Location — Lumps show up on face, neck, scalp, back or torso
Diagnosis of Sebaceous Cysts
Your doctor will perform a physical examination of your skin lumps and discuss your symptoms with you. This is often all it takes to determine whether you have sebaceous cysts.
If the lump is unusual in some way, though, it may need to be tested to confirm it isn’t actually a cancerous tumor. This can include:
- Size — a lump that’s 5 centimeters or bigger
- Regrowth — the lump grows back quickly after being removed
- Infection — redness, soreness, pus, and other signs of possible infection
If you show symptoms that warrant further testing, the doctor may order diagnostic tests such as:
- CT scan — to spot abnormalities
- Ultrasound — to determine what the cyst contains
- Punch biopsy — removal of small part of cyst to analyze it for cancerous cells
Treatment and Prognosis for Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous cysts are benign, so their prognosis is very good. In many cases, they will cause no significant symptoms. But it is possible that they may grow larger, cause discomfort, or look unattractive.
To treat the cyst, your doctor may recommend various medical solutions including:
- Removal — Surgical excision may be performed in the office under local anesthetic
- Drainage — The cyst may be drained, especially if it is infected or abscessed
