Symptoms and treatment methods for epidermal cysts on the skin

<Causes of epidermoid cysts>

 

 

Epidermoid cysts are benign tumors that develop beneath the skin. They are mostly characterized by a raised, round shape and are commonly found on the face, scalp, neck, and torso. The causes of epidermoid cyst formation are as follows.

 

• Follicular damage: It occurs when the opening of the hair follicle is blocked by the skin or when the epidermal area invaginates into the skin due to various causes, proliferates, and forms the wall of a cyst.
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• Genetic factors: If there is a genetic tendency for increased sebum secretion, epidermal cysts may develop more easily.
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• Skin conditions: Chronic skin diseases such as acne can also cause epidermal cysts.

 

Epidermoid cyst symptoms

 

Skin lump

 

When touched, the surface feels firm, and the size varies from as small as 1cm in diameter to as large as 4-5cm. There are also cases where a small dot is present at the center of the epidermal cyst.

 

Pain

 

Epidermal cysts are generally asymptomatic, so pain does not usually manifest clearly, but if the cyst enlarges or becomes infected, pain may accompany it.

 

Inflammation

 

If a epidermal cyst bursts inside the skin, the contents inside can leak into the skin tissue, causing inflammation and pain.

 

pus

 

If epidermal cysts are squeezed or burst, foul-smelling pus and white discharge will be released.

 

Epidermal cyst treatment

 

Epidermoid cysts may naturally disappear without special treatment if symptoms are mild. However, if the size continues to increase or if the epidermoid cyst becomes infected, the following treatment options can be considered.

 

[Non-surgical treatment]

 

If the size of the epidermal cyst is small, it can be removed using non-surgical methods such as an extractor or laser.

 

• Extrusion treatment: If the cyst is not firm, extrusion therapy can be performed. A small hole is made with a needle, and the contents are extruded. Afterwards, debris from the cyst is removed through the needle hole, and an anti-inflammatory injection is administered.
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• Laser treatment: If the cyst is slightly firm, laser treatment can be performed. A small hole of about 1-2mm is made on the surface with a laser, then the surrounding area is pressed to remove the cyst. Since only the local area is incised, scarring is minimized.
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[Surgical Treatment]

 

If the size of the epidermal cyst is large, a fine incision can be made at the lesion site to completely remove the cyst down to its root.

The most fundamental treatment method is to make an incision in the skin to remove the cyst wall and its contents.