Skin Cysts

Acne is the most commonly discussed skin condition, and it is also the most recognizable. However, little attention is given to the discussion of skin cysts. I think the reason could be because skin cysts are not easily noticeable. After discovering a very small skin cysts on my index finger, I became concerned and did personal research.

What Are Skin Cysts?

I learned that skin cysts are noncancerous closed pockets or pouches of tissue. The pockets are filled with a combination of fluid and oily puss. They occur from infection and clogging of the sebaceous glands. They lie beneath the skin's surface, and they do not surface and rupture like pimples. Skin cysts can be as small as a grain of sand and as big as a gulf ball.

Skin cysts can easily go unnoticed when they are very small. They cannot be felt beneath the skin unless you press the skin's surface and feel a tiny bead. However, when skin cysts become noticeably large, they can be very painful.

What Causes Skin Cysts?

According to Melissa Conrad Stoppler MD, skin cysts can be caused by:

Hormonal changes

Menstrual periods

Pregnancy

Birth control pills

Stress

Greasy oily cosmetics

Body oil

Hair products

Sweating

The foods that can contribute to the formation skin cysts are the same foods that can cause acne, such as fatty foods, highly acidic foods and fried food.

Who's at Risk of Getting Skin Cysts?

A person can be at risk of getting skin cysts you:

Are past puberty

Have a history of severe acne

Have had significant sun exposure

Have had a traumatic or crushing injury to your skin

Health Effects of Skin Cysts

In my research I learned that skin cysts can develop into serious conditions. Dr. Melissa Conrad Stoppler writes that skin cysts can cause basal and squamous cell skin cancers. If the cysts feel solid, immobile, infected or have other unusual characteristics, skin cancer can result from them. They should be biopsied immediately.

If the area of the skin where the cysts is located is crushed or hit severely, the area of the cysts becomes tender and swollen. In this condition the cysts becomes inflamed and are hard to remove.

In some cases the cysts can rupture through the skin and become infected immediately.

Treatment for Getting Rid of Cysts

The common treatment for skin cysts is to cut and drain them, however they can recur. A complete surgical removal can prevent recurrence.

I found that applying a warm compress for 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day can shrink the cysts. The warm compress softens harden oil blockages to promote drainage, thus shrinking the cyst.

Always wash the area where the skin cysts are at least twice daily to prevent oil build up. Oil build up in the skin can clog the skin and cause the cysts to grow.

Drink enough water and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, which allows the body to naturally rid itself of toxins. This can help shrink cysts and prevent them from coming back.

If the skin cysts are located on the face, avoid putting make-up on the area to prevent clogging.

Using the warm compress and improving my diet helped to shrink the skin cysts I found in my finger and another one that had formed on my face. However, if a person has a very large cyst, I would advise to have it surgically removed.

Sources:

Melissa Conrad Stoppler MD, Cysts www.medicinenet.com

Habif TP. Acne, Rosacea, and Related Disorders. In: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed.Mosby, Inc; 2004:162-194.