Sebaceous Cyst Removal, also known as Sebaceous Cyst Excision
Have you ever noticed a little bump under your skin that feels like a ball? Maybe it’s been there a while, but now a stinging pain accompanies it. Or maybe there’s no pain at all, but the bump won’t seem to go away.
Pain or not, you’re probably dealing with a cyst. The larger the cyst, the higher the chance of it getting infected. And your best bet is to visit our office immediately for a cyst removal.
What Is a Cyst?
A cyst is a sac that forms in the body — it can form in bones, organs, or tissues. The cysts that form in the skin are essentially a pocket that is filled with skin cells, bacteria, and/or pus. They vary dramatically in size and can be found anywhere on the body. As time goes by, more and more skin cells are trapped in the cyst causing the cyst to grow larger.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cyst?
A cyst feels like a little knot underneath the skin. It may begin as an ingrown hair or acne pore that becomes infected, creating an opportunity for the skin to get turned in on itself. A cyst feels like a bump or a knot in the skin. The cyst may become large enough to drain the rotten skin cells, these cells cause smell.
What Causes Skin Cysts?
A cyst happens when the skin turns in on itself. Think of the skin like a flat balloon. If the balloon has something inside (like skin cells) to push out, it naturally pushes it out through the opening. But if something plugs that opening, the cells are trapped inside the balloon. The balloon becomes a pocket for these cells that can’t leave.
Types of Cysts
Although there are many types of cysts, there are three common types of cysts in the skin, Pilar Cysts, Sebaceous Cysts, and Digital Mucous Cysts, and each have different characteristics. Different types of cysts occur in different parts of the body for different reasons, so it’s important to have a general understanding of cysts and, if you notice one developing, have it checked by a specialist.
How Can a Doctor Remove a Cyst?
Both of these types of cysts can be removed using out-patient procedures. Surgeons usually excise it. If the cyst is already infected, lancing the cyst is the first step.
Lancing a Cyst
Lancing a cyst involves using a sharp knife to create a hole in the cyst. The doctor then squeezes and drains the contents. This is what you may see on YouTube cyst-popping videos. But, lancing a cyst isn’t typically the best way to get rid of the cysts permanently. However, if a cyst is already infected, this procedure allows us to remove most of the contents and treat infection topically. The lining of the cyst wall is not removed and the cyst may eventually reform. Most of cases of infected cysts require excision when infection resolves.
Excising a Cyst
When a cyst is intact, an excision is typically the best removal procedure. In these cases, it’s important to remove the sack around the contents. We make an incision around the cyst to take out the entire cyst wall and contents. We stitch it up and let it heal.
The YouTube Way vs. The Surgeon Cyst Removal
If you’ve seen the way some doctors on YouTube pop pimples, don’t be fooled. That’s not the best way to deal with your cysts. Don’t punch and squeeze them — the right way is to completely remove the sac. If you leave the sac in the skin, the cyst will likely come back.
Should You Remove Cysts at Home?
At-home cyst removals do not work. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing home remedies for treating cysts. Do NOT try them. When people mash and lance their cysts, trying to squeeze out the inside, the cysts will just come back.
Remember, a cyst is a pocket in your skin lined with cells. The skin will continue to produce cells and refill the pocket as long as the pocket is there. You’re not treating the problem by squeezing the cyst. The pocket has to be removed.
If you try these DIY cyst-removal strategies, you can make the problem worse. By popping the cyst, you open the sac and make it more susceptible to infection. Plus, you’ve now damaged the skin and increased the likelihood of scarring.
The best way to treat a cyst at home is to keep it clean. Make sure you’re washing it with soap and water. If you want it removed, visit the doctor to have it removed professionally.
What To Expect From Cyst Removal
During a cyst removal, the doctor will mark and numb the area around the bump. You’ll get a few Lidocaine injections that may slightly sting, but that’s the worst part. After that, you won’t feel the procedure.
The doctor will then remove the pocket of skin cells, and put stitches on the skin that will need to be removed in 2 weeks. The skin will heal from the inside out.
A surgeon is trained to repair skin in a way that will get the skin back to normal. There’s no home remedy that can do that.
Does a Cyst Removal Hurt?
If you can handle the small sting of a shot, you can handle a cyst removal. The doctor topically numbs the cyst area by injecting Lidocaine. You may feel a slight sting, but that’s the worst part.
How Long Does a Cyst Removal Take?
It should take no longer than 30-60 minutes to remove most cysts.
What To Expect After a Cyst Removal
Your post-treatment options depend on what type of cyst removal your doctor used.
After lancing a cyst, the wound needs to be left open for healing. It will continue to drain after the procedure. Then, it will begin to heal from the inside out. In these cases, watch for the cyst to reform. There’s a higher risk the cyst might come back if the doctor was not able to completely remove the cyst wall.
If you had a cyst excised, you’ll have stitches to minimize scarring. Patients may experience tenderness and mild pain after an excision, easily managed with at-home pain medication such as Tylenol.
Does Insurance Cover Cyst Removal?
Insurance usually covers cyst removals. Since a cyst removal is a medical procedure (not cosmetic), the costs go against your deductible. Exact cyst removal costs depend on your insurance and whether you’ve met your deductible. Remember, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket if you haven’t met your deductible, but cyst removal costs usually count towards that amount. Office procedures only carry doctor’s fee. There are no hospital facility fee added.
Having skin surgeries done in the office setting is a big saving to you and your insurance company.
What if a Cyst Pops on Its Own?
While people can try to squeeze and drain a cyst that pops on its own, it can be very painful and ineffective. It’s best to seek care from a physician. The doctor will have a better chance of completely removing all the contents from the cyst so that it better heals and has a lower chance of recurrence. They will also be able to provide numbing medication to minimize pain during the lancing procedure.
How to Know if You Have a Cyst
If you feel something hard under your skin, get it checked out as soon as possible. It may be a normal cyst that the doctor can easily remove, but it could also be skin cancer. Only doctor can recognize and distinguish between them. If you are over 40, it is recommended to have full skin exam once a year.