A sebaceous cyst is a type of closed cyst that lies below the skin's surface. This kind of cyst fills with a fatty material called sebum (which has been produced by the sebaceous glands in the epidermis). Some consider a sebaceous cyst to be defined not by the sebum content, but rather by the origin being the sebaceous glands. Also, some consider the epidermoid cyst to be equal or at least similar to the sebaceous cyst.
Symptoms
A sebaceous cyst may appear on nearly any part of the body, aside from the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. Several of the common locations for sebaceous cysts to occur are: face, scalp, ears, upper arm, chest (in males), and back. Generally, they occur more frequently in areas with more hair.
Some other characteristics or symptoms of a sebaceous cyst may include: smooth, round, varying sizes, containing moveable contents (fibrous tissues and fluids, fatty substance, or serosanguineous fluids). The presentation and contents of a sebaceous cyst may vary, in particular due to infection or a lack of one.
View more related to potential symptoms and appearances.
Causes
Some potential sebaceous cyst causes include the following items (may include rare medical causes):
Basal cell nevus syndrome
Blocked sebaceous glands
Dermatobia hominis
Excessive production of testosterone
Gardner's syndrome
Swollen hair follicles
Continue reading about possible sebaceous cyst causes.
Diagnosis
Sebaceous cyst diagnosis is made by a doctor or other medical professional. Often, they are diagnosed by examination by the doctor. At times, a biopsy may be taken in order to rule out potential differential diagnoses of conditions with similar appearances.
Treatment
After the diagnosis has taken place, a treatment method may begin. Sebaceous cyst treatment options include both surgical and non-surgical. If the cyst has already become infected, it may require additional treatment (such as antibiotics). The patient should not attempt to break or pop the cyst, as infection could occur in the nearby tissue.
