Cysts: They’re unsightly and painful, but are they a threat to your health? It’s always concerning when you notice a skin change, but with cysts, you might not need to hit the panic button right away.
Our team of experts at Sanford Dermatology has everything you need to know about cysts, where they come from, and what they ultimately mean for your health.
A cyst is an abnormal pocket of fluid that can form in many areas of your body, including your skin, genitals, and even your internal organs. Some cysts are so small they almost go undetected; others are larger and filled with liters of fluid.
The “why” behind your cyst often depends on the location of your cyst.
For example, pilonidal cysts form at the top of your buttocks due to repetitive friction and rubbing from skin folds, clothes, or sitting for long periods — that’s why truck drivers are among the most at risk for this type of cyst.
You might also have cystic acne on your face, back, or chest. Cystic acne occurs when your pores become bogged down with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells triggered by hormonal fluctuations and/or increased oil production.
Other contributing factors and potential causes of cysts include:
The first sign of a cyst is usually a noticeable lump in the skin, but depending on the severity of the cyst, it may also ooze fluid or pus, feel sore or tender to the touch, and become red or swollen.
Your cyst may feel hard or soft, and you may only notice it when you put pressure on it. Whatever your symptoms are, and regardless of what’s caused it, cysts don’t go away on their own. In fact, they tend to get bigger if left untreated. Some untreated cysts can become abscesses and burst inside your body, releasing infection into your bloodstream.
That’s why we strongly encourage you to have every skin change evaluated by one of our experts.
Is it a simple cyst, or is it something more serious, like a tumor? Both can form anywhere on your body, and both can be either benign or cancerous (malignant). One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is to look inside. A cyst is filled with fluid, but a tumor is an abnormal mass, tissue, or swelling. Cysts also appear uniform when examined with ultrasound or a CT scan.
If we notice solid components inside the lump, we might suspect it’s a malignant growth, but the only way to know for sure is with a biopsy.
If your lump turns out to be a cyst, the good news is that it’s typically neither a health threat nor difficult to treat. We carefully evaluate your cyst and discuss your symptoms in detail before making treatment recommendations.
Most minor benign cysts respond well to heat therapy, which encourages them to drain and heal naturally.
More complex cysts that are larger, infected, or painful may require:
We also focus on prevention, helping you take steps to keep your skin healthy and avoid developing cysts in the future.
If you’ve recently discovered a lump in your skin, or you’ve been ignoring one for too long, don’t wait another day to schedule a consultation at any of our three conveniently located offices serving Greater Sanford, Pittsboro, and Lillington, North Carolina. Our experts are standing by to answer your skin health questions and connect you with the best treatments available.
