Sebaceous cyst

What is Sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous cyst is a harmless cyst filled with sebaceous matter and it is a swelling occurs under the skin. It may caused by blocked sebaceous glands, swollen hair follicles, or trauma to the skin and it mainly occurs in the area like scalp, face, ears, and genitals. In beginning it is harmless but may be painful if it is infected. Epidermal cyst; Keratin cyst; Epidermoid cyst, these are it’s synonyms.

Sebaceous cysts are common in adults but uncommon in the children. It is not a canerous and it should not touch and try to remove otherwise may be infected, tenderness or may become severe.

Causes of Sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cyst may occur because of sebaceous glands and swollen hair follicles. Trauma to the skin may also trigger this cyst. A sac of cells is developed  into which a protein called keratin is secreted.
These cysts are mostly occurs in the part of the body like scalp, face, ears, and genitals and trunk. These cysts are slowly growing and harmless but may be severe if infected by touching.

Symptoms of Sebaceous cyst

Painless small lumps or bumps which arises under the skin in the area like scalp, face, ears, and genitals and trunk are the normal symptom of sebaceous cyst. Following are the other symptoms of sebaceous cyst-

• redness and tenderness
• increased temperature of the skin in the affected area
• some time infection may occur
• grayish white, cheesy, foul smelling material may discharge from the bump or lump

Treatment of Sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cysts are not dangerous and these cysts are painless and therefore doesn’t disturbs to the people. It doesn’t require treatment because they get clear on their own. But some time they may become severe and may disturb your daily life because of infection then it may be remove by the surgical treatment. In small cases it may be treated by injection of steroid medications and certain antibiotics.