Description

Epidermoid (ep-ih-DUR-moid) cysts are harmless small bumps under the skin. They are more common on the face, neck, and trunk.

The cysts epidermoid are slow growing and often painless, so they rarely cause problems or need treatment. You can choose to have a cyst removed if it bothers you, it breaks, or is painful or infected.

Symptoms

Cyst epidermoid signs and symptoms include:

  • A small, round bump under the skin, often on the face, neck or trunk
  • A small black dot to connect the central opening of the cyst
  • A thick, foul-smelling, cheesy substance that seeps from the cyst
  • A lump inflamed or infected

When to see a doctor

The majority of the cysts epidermoid not cause problems or need treatment. Consult your health care professional if you have a cyst that:

  • Growing or expanding rapidly.
  • Breaks.
  • It is painful or infected.
  • It is in a place that keeps getting scratched or bumped.
  • Bothered by how it looks.
  • It is in an unusual location, such as a finger or toe.

Causes

The surface of the skin, also called the epidermis, is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that the body sheds without stopping. The majority of the cysts epidermoid so that when these cells move more deeply into the skin instead of throwing. Sometimes this type of cyst is formed due to the irritation or injury of the skin or a hair follicle.

Epidermal cells form the walls of the cyst, and then secrete the protein keratin in it. The keratin is the thick, cheesy substance that can be leakage of the cyst.

Risk factors

Any person can develop a cyst epidermoid, but these factors make it more likely:

  • Be past the age of puberty.
  • Have a rare hereditary disease called syndrome, Gardner's syndrome.
  • Lesions on the skin.

Complications

The possible complications of the cysts epidermoid are:

  • Inflammation. A cyst epidermoid can become painful and swollen, even if not infected. An inflamed cyst is difficult to remove. Your doctor is likely to postpone the removal of a cyst until the inflammation subsides.
  • Of the rupture. A cyst that ruptures may lead to boil-like infection that needs immediate treatment.
  • The skin cancer. In rare cases, the cysts epidermoid can cause skin cancer.

Diagnosis

Your health care professional will probably be able to tell you if your shot is a cyst epidermoid, by checking the affected skin. A sample of your skin can be lifted to the study in a laboratory.

The cysts epidermoid see as sebaceous cysts or pilar cysts, but they are different. True cysts, epidermoid the result of damage to the hair follicles, or the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. Sebaceous cysts are less common and are derived from the glands that secrete the raw oil that lubricates the hair and skin, also called sebaceous glands. Pilar cysts develop from the root of the hair follicles and are common on the scalp.

Treatment

Generally, you can leave a cyst only if it is not painful or embarrassing. If you seek treatment, talk with your healthcare provider about these options:

  • The injection. The injection of steroid into the cyst can relieve the swelling and inflammation.
  • Incision and drainage. With this method, your health care professional makes a small cut in the cyst and gently squeezes the content. This is a quick and easy method that alleviates the symptoms. But the cysts may recur after this treatment.
  • Surgery menor.Su health care professional removes the entire cyst. You may have to go back to the clinic for stitches. Or to your health care provider may use points of absorbable suture, which does not need to be removed. This procedure is safe and effective and often prevents the cyst of renewables. But it can leave a scar. If the cyst is inflamed, surgery may be delayed.

Minor surgery. Your health care professional removes the entire cyst. You may have to go back to the clinic for stitches. Or to your health care provider may use points of absorbable suture, which does not need to be removed. This procedure is safe and effective and often prevents the cyst of renewables. But it can leave a scar.

If the cyst is inflamed, surgery may be delayed.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can't stop cysts epidermoid formation. But you can help to prevent the formation of scars and infection by:

  • Do not squeeze a cyst yourself
  • Place a warm, moist cloth over the area to help the cyst drain and heal

Preparing for your appointment

Probably the first visit to your primary healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options. Then, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • The list of your key medical information, as well as the conditions in which it has been treated and the drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • Recent note of the skin lesions, including surgical cuts, and accidental injuries.
  • List of questions that you may have about your condition. Have a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your health care professional.

Below are some basic questions to ask your health care professional about cysts epidermoid. If other questions that occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask.

  • I have a cyst epidermoid?
  • What makes this type of cyst?
  • Is the cyst infected?
  • What treatment do you suggest, if any?
  • I have a scar after the treatment?
  • Am I at risk of this recurrent condition?
  • I can do something to help prevent a recurrence?
  • Do cysts epidermoid increase the risk of other health problems?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you some questions, such as:

  • When they realized the growth of the skin?
  • Have you noticed other tumors of the skin?
  • Has had a growth similar in the past? If so, on what parts of your body?
  • You've had severe acne?
  • Is the growth causing any discomfort?
  • Are you embarrassed by the growth?
  • Have you recently suffered injuries in the skin, including scratches?
  • Has recently had a surgical procedure on the affected area?
  • Does anyone in your family has a history of acne or cysts?

What you can do in the meantime

Resist the temptation to squeeze or pop your cyst. Your health care professional will be able to take care of the cyst with the lowest risk of scarring and infection.

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