Sebaceous cyst

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Hair follicle anatomy

Epidermal cyst; Keratin cyst; Epidermoid cyst

Sebaceous cysts are not dangerous and can usually be ignored. At times, they may become inflamed and tender. Others may grow large and interfere with day-to-day life. In these cases, you can have them surgically removed in a physician's office. Alternatively, small inflamed cysts can be treated by injection of steroid medications.

Most cysts may be ignored or treated with simple surgery.

These cysts may occasionally become infected and form into painful abscesses. Recurrence after excision is also not unusual.

Call your health care provider if you notice any new growths on your body. Though cysts are not dangerous, your doctor should examine you to ensure that skin cancer is not present.

Review Date: 04/30/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.