About this topic
An epidermal cyst is a small lump under the skin. It is not cancer. This kind of cyst most often happens on the face, back, chest, neck, or behind the ears. They can also happen in the genital area. It may be caused by an injury to the skin. Other times, it is caused by pimples or a swollen hair follicle. It grows slowly and does not hurt. It can move under the skin when you touch it. ‚
Some epidermal cysts go away on their own. Others may hurt or get germs in them. If this happens, the doctor can drain or remove the cyst with surgery. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your cyst for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- If your doctor put a steroid shot into your cyst, it will take 1 to 7 days for the swelling to go away.
- If you had surgery:
- Keep your wound clean and dry for the first 24 hours.
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- You should change the bandage if it gets soaked. Talk with your doctor about how to change the bandage.
- Ask your doctor when you can take a shower. You may use soap and water to wash your wound. Make sure not to soak it. Gently towel dry the wound afterwards.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If the sac of the cyst was left after drainage, your doctor may need to remove it surgically.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks
- Your doctor may send you to a skin doctor called a dermatologist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
If the cyst is large or painful, it may limit your activity. You may also have to limit your movement if the cyst is on a movable part of the body like the elbow, knees, or armpits. If you have surgery, you may need to keep from moving the part until your wound heals. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- You may get a scar
- The cyst may come back
- Pain during sex or going to the bathroom if the cyst is in the genital area
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep your face and skin clean.
- Avoid picking at or squeezing your pimples.
- Avoid being out in the sun too much.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Cyst grows very quickly
- Cyst becomes very painful or is constantly getting rubbed or irritated
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cyst or cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my cyst or wound.
Where can I learn more?
British Association of Dermatologists ‚
http://www.bad.org.uk/site/805/default.aspx ‚
New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated ‚
http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/cysts.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚