Table of Contents
What to do with an infected sebaceous cyst?
A cyst can be injected with steroids. This can reduce inflammation and the cyst may not need to be drained. But infected cysts may need to be cut and drained. To do this, your provider makes a hole in (punctures) the top and removes the contents.
How do I know if my sebaceous cyst is infected?
Signs of an infected sebaceous cyst include:
- Redness.
- Tenderness.
- Warmth in the skin over the cyst.
What happens if a cyst becomes infected?
Infection – the cyst fills with bacteria and pus, and becomes an abscess. If the abscess bursts inside the body, there is a risk of blood poisoning (septicaemia). Peritonitis – if an internal cyst bursts, there is a risk of peritonitis, which is inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal wall.
How long does it take for an infected sebaceous cyst to heal?
Once the pus is drained, antibiotics may not be needed unless the infection has spread into the skin around the wound. The wound will take about 1 to 2 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the abscess.
How do you treat an infected sebaceous cyst at home?
To treat a lump that may be caused by infection under the skin:
- Do not squeeze, scratch, drain, open (lance), or puncture the lump.
- Keep the area clean by washing the lump and surrounding skin well with soap.
- Apply warm, wet face cloths to the lump for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.
How is a sebaceous cyst removed from the body?
The sebaceous cyst may be removed a the doctor’s office and generally involves a consent from the patient, sterilizing the area to avoid spreading of the infection to other parts of the body using a drape and sterile kit, local anesthetic to numb the area, and a blade and other instruments to cut the cyst out.
What are seborrheic cysts?
Sebaceous cysts are typically harmless, slow-growing bumps under the skin. They often appear on the scalp, face, ears, trunk, back, or groin area.
What causes sebaceous cysts to form?
This usually happens as a result of some sort of trauma in the area such as a scratch, a surgical wound, or a skin condition like acne. The cysts can also form because of a misshapen or deformed duct, or genetic conditions such as basal cell nevus syndrome. What are the symptoms of sebaceous cysts?
What happens if a sebaceous cyst ruptures?
If your cyst ruptures, you will experience symptoms like an infected boil and you need immediate treatment. In addition, an infected sebaceous cyst can be very painful and swollen. It may be difficult to operate on, so your doctor may advise you to wait till the inflammation decreases.