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Sebaceous Cyst

DrGanesh DP 2
Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Specialist in General Surgery

Condition

Sebaceous Cyst in a Nutshell

  • Sebaceous cysts are commonly found on the face, neck, upper chest and upper back.
  • Sebaceous cysts will often appear as a small lump or bump on your skin. It does contain cancerous cells.
  • Sebaceous cysts are formed when the sebaceous ducts  or glands are blocked.
  • When left untreated, a sebaceous cyst can become infected, forming an abscess.
  • In certain cases, sebaceous cysts may become cancerous and surgery to remove the cyst as well as a biopsy is recommended.

Table of Contents

Sebaceous Cyst

What Is A Sebaceous Cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a small lump or bump on the skin which is non-cancerous. It is most frequently found on the face, neck, upper chest and upper back. However, they can occur anywhere else on the skin.

Usually, a sebaceous cyst grows gradually and does not cause any pain. However, they may become infected or inflamed and the overlying skin turns red, sore and tender. A bad-smelling, cheese-like material can sometimes also drain from your cyst. In these cases, treatment can reduce the discomfort you experience and improve the appearance of your skin.

What Causes A Sebaceous Cyst?

Sebaceous cysts develop from the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, an oily substance that helps protect the skin and hair.

A cyst can form when the gland or its duct becomes blocked, preventing sebum from leaving normally. Several factors can contribute to this blockage, including:

  • Trauma to the skin, such as a scratch or wound
  • Previous surgery affecting the skin
  • Skin conditions such as acne
  • Swollen hair follicles
  • Certain genetic conditions, including Gardner’s syndrome and basal cell nevus syndrome

Not every sebaceous cyst has an obvious cause. A doctor can assess the lump and determine whether it has the typical features of a sebaceous cyst.

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How Do I Know If I Have A Sebaceous Cyst?

A sebaceous cyst often appears as a small lump underneath the skin. It is commonly found on the face, neck, upper chest or upper back, although it can occur elsewhere.

A typical cyst may:

  • Feel like a rounded lump beneath the skin
  • Grow gradually over time
  • Remain painless when it is not inflamed
  • Have a small opening or visible point on the skin
  • Produce foul-smelling, greyish-white material if it drains

The area may look different when the cyst becomes inflamed or infected. Redness, warmth, tenderness, swelling and pain are signs that the cyst may need medical attention.

It is important not to assume that every lump is a sebaceous cyst. Other types of skin growths can have similar appearances, so a medical assessment can help establish the correct diagnosis.

How Is A Sebaceous Cyst Diagnosed?

A sebaceous cyst is usually diagnosed by a doctor in a physical examination of your skin. Our doctor may perform biopsy to rule out other skin growths. This means a tissue sample of your skin is taken and sent to the laboratory for detailed examination.

When Can You Tell If Your Sebaceous Cyst Is Infected?

There are several signs to tell if your sebaceous cyst or skin lump is infected. A sebaceous cyst is considered infected when it is:

  • Displaying signs of redness
  • Tenderness to the touch
  • Signs of pain
  • Pus draining (or leaking) from the cysts

Sebaceous cysts can become infected, should the cyst rupture, it can lead to a boil-like infection that will require immediate treatment.

Typically, no complications or side effects occur after drainage or surgery. However, even after successful surgery to remove these skin lumps, they can sometimes recur.

Is An Infected Sebaceous Cyst An Emergency?

Although they are not usually life-threatening, you should seek medical help if you notice a sebaceous cyst on your body. Take note of lumps or unusual spots on your skin that are sore, red or inflamed and warm to the touch. Seek medical attention and have a doctor examine the affected area.

Do not attempt to treat the sebaceous cyst on your own, as this could lead to an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. Typically, infections can be easily treated, but immediate medical help may be required if the infection worsens and causes severe symptoms.

Severe symptoms may include:

  • A high or prolonged fever
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, weakness or trouble walking
  • Persistent bleeding from the affected area
  • Issues swallowing
  • Trouble breathing
  • A severe pain that is non-responsive to over-the-counter pain medications
  • Black skin surrounding the cyst

What Happens If An Infected Skin Cyst Is Untreated?

While sebaceous cysts are rarely cancerous, the risk of it turning malignant exists as such early treatment is vital as with the case above. If left untreated, benign cysts can cause severe complications, including infection – the cyst fills with bacteria and pus and becomes an abscess.

If the abscess bursts within the body, it poses a risk of blood poisoning (septicaemia).

Will An Infected Cyst Go Away With Antibiotics?

Antibiotics can treat an infected cyst either through oral medication or application as a cream, or both. If antibiotics prove ineffective in clearing up the infection, the cyst will need to be drained through a small cut (incision). Local anaesthesia will be used to numb the area before the incision and drainage.

What Antibiotic Is Best For An Infected Cyst?

Most infected sebaceous cysts or skin lumps are the result of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or staph. To fight this infection, our doctor may prescribe oral, topical, or intravenous antibiotics.

Our doctor will decide which antibiotic is best for you as not every antibiotic is going to work since some varieties of staph have become resistant to particular antibiotics. Our doctor may send a sample of pus from the boil to a lab to determine the antibiotic that would be most effective.

“If you are considering purchasing over-the-counter medications for your infected sebaceous cysts, my advice is to avoid doing so. Most over-the-counter medications are focused on pain relief. There are no antibiotics suitable when you are purchasing them off the shelves. It is best to seek medical treatment when you are experiencing an infection,” advises Dr Ganesh.

How Long Does An Infected Cyst Take To Heal?

A cyst will not heal until it is saucerised and drained or surgically excised. Without treatment, cysts may eventually rupture and drain partially, and this can take months or years. Once cysts rupture, the painful sebaceous cyst is at risk of returning.

To prevent this, the pocket lining should be completely removed. Surgically removing the sebaceous cyst is the best way to prevent a recurrence.

Is An Operation Required If My Infected Skin Cyst Bursts?

In most cases, skin cysts should be removed before they become infected. In the event that your infected skin cyst has ruptured or burst, contents from the burst sac might remain on your skin and potentially cause a cycle of inflammation and regrowth of the cyst over time. 

In such cases, the recommended way to deal with an infected & ruptured skin cyst is to opt for saucerisation, where drainage is carried out and the region that is infected will be surgically removed to prevent recurrence of the cyst. This may cause potential scarring, but it will prove effective in ensuring that the source of the inflammation is removed permanently.

Treatment Options for a Sebaceous Cyst

Treatment for a sebaceous cyst depends on its individual characteristics and whether it is causing any problems. While some cysts may only need monitoring, others may require treatment if they become infected, painful or persistent.

  • Depends on the Cyst: Treatment depends on the cyst’s size and location, symptoms, and whether it is inflamed or infected.
  • Monitoring Small Cysts: Small cysts that are not causing problems may simply be monitored without immediate treatment.
  • Managing Infection: If a cyst becomes infected or inflamed, the immediate priority may be to control the infection before definitive treatment.
  • Considering Removal: Persistent, recurrent, uncomfortable or cosmetically troublesome cysts may require removal.
  • Choosing the Right Approach: Different removal methods are available depending on the individual cyst, and your surgeon can recommend the appropriate option after examining the lump.

For detailed information about what happens during cyst removal, recovery, wound care and costs, see our Skin Cyst Surgery page.

When Should You See a Doctor About a Sebaceous Cyst?

You should arrange a medical assessment if you notice a new or unusual lump beneath the skin, particularly if it is growing or changing.

You should seek medical attention if the cyst:

  • Becomes painful
  • Turns red or warm
  • Becomes swollen or tender
  • Starts producing pus or foul-smelling drainage
  • Bursts or repeatedly returns
  • Causes persistent discomfort
  • Has unusual features

Early assessment can help determine whether the lump is a sebaceous cyst or another type of skin growth and whether treatment is necessary.

What Can I Eat To Improve My Condition?

When considering what food to select for promoting the management of your sebaceous cyst, we must first focus on several factors that aid in creating a healthy ecosystem for the body. A robust immune system helps the body promote healing on your road to recovery.

Eating antioxidant-rich fruits, whole grains, and vegetables such as berries, citrus fruits, and dark leafy greens help to both boost immunity and remove toxins from the body.

Water plays an important role to help flush toxins outside the body, so increasing your water intake would be ideal as well. Increase your consumption of healthy oils to promote healthy skin and reduce sebum stagnation in the hair shafts. Foods such as nuts and seeds, avocadoes, fish, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and fish oil are recommended when it comes to obtaining healthy oils.

Conversely, particular food promotes inflammation in the body and as a result, may delay the recovery of your skin. Avoid dairy products, red meats, sugary foods, saturated fats and fatty foods if you would like to promote faster healing for your treatment.

Sebaceous Cyst Doctor in Singapore

Dr Ganesh Ramalingam is a general surgeon in Singapore who assesses and treats sebaceous cysts. If a cyst is growing, uncomfortable or causing concern, he takes time to understand the patient’s symptoms, explain the findings and discuss suitable options, including whether removal may be appropriate. Throughout the process, Dr Ganesh helps patients understand what to expect and feel supported in making decisions about their care.

  • 20+ years of surgical experience 
  • Performed over 2,000 sebaceous cyst removals 
  • On specialist panel for most major insurers

Why Choose Us For Your Sebaceous Cysts Treatment In Singapore?

Dr Ganesh at G & L Surgical Clinic strives to prioritise his patients’ recovery and comfort. Having had experience in performing sebaceous cyst removal surgeries for numerous patients for many years in Singapore.

Furthermore, the staff at G & L Surgical Clinic have been thoroughly and consistently trained to make your experience a comfortable and hassle-free one. Whether you intend to undergo our sebaceous cyst removal, procedures or other medical services in Singapore, you can rest assured that you will be properly and sufficiently cared for by trained professionals.

Organise a consultation with our surgeons for further assistance with sebaceous cyst treatments in Singapore.