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Blackheads, also known as open comedones, form when dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria become trapped in a hair follicle. This is due to a clogged pore that doesn’t let the skin cell and oil debris escape. As a result, a blackhead forms. They can appear on the nose, chin, forehead, chest, and other areas of the body. To prevent blackheads from forming, it’s important to regularly wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oils. Exfoliating two to three times per week can also help to keep pores unclogged and avoid the buildup of dead skin cells. However, if blackheads do form, there are ways to treat them. One method is popping or squeezing the blackheads. If you decide to pop your blackheads, it’s important to take caution and follow Dr. Sandra Lee’s instructions for the safest way to get rid of pimples by popping blackheads. First, you should use clean hands and fingers (or a sterile cotton swab) to gently press around the sides of the blackhead. If done correctly, this will cause the blockage inside the pore to come out without damaging your skin. Life with acne can be annoying, but we can help you clear your skin with our acne products. A consultation with one of our skin care experts is the best way to determine which of these treatments will help brighten your skin and get rid of acne for a long time. After your first in-studio acne treatment, one of our experienced estheticians can review a variety of products with you to help you customize products designed to fight acne and improve your skin. Our team of Holladay dermatology and aesthetic experts can uncover the root cause of your acne flare-ups and provide you with the right treatment that will work better and faster than products available on pharmacy shelves. Dr. Fua can incorporate all of these treatment options into your acne treatment plan, depending on what works for your skin.
An epidermal cyst, also known as an epidermoid cyst or sebaceous cyst, is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that forms under the skin. It occurs when the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) sheds cells that become trapped beneath the skin’s surface. These trapped cells can form a small sac filled with a thick, yellowish substance called keratin.
Here’s what you need to know about epidermal cysts:
Causes:
- Blocked hair follicles: The most common cause is a blockage of the hair follicle or a sebaceous (oil) gland.
- Trauma: Injury or damage to the skin can sometimes lead to cyst formation.
- Genetics: Some people may inherit a tendency to develop epidermal cysts.
- Other conditions: In rare cases, certain conditions like Gardner’s syndrome can cause multiple cysts.
Symptoms:
- Small, round bump: Epidermal cysts typically appear as small, flesh-colored or yellowish bumps on the skin, usually on the face, neck, back, or chest.
- Pain or tenderness: They may be painful or tender if infected or inflamed.
- Discharge: If the cyst ruptures, it may release a thick, smelly fluid.
- Slow-growing: Most epidermal cysts grow slowly over time.
Treatment:
- Home care: If the cyst is small, non-inflamed, and not causing any discomfort, it may not require treatment. Warm compresses can help to reduce any inflammation.
- Draining or removal: If the cyst becomes infected or painful, a healthcare provider may drain it. However, this does not always guarantee that it won’t return.
- Surgical excision: The most effective treatment for removing an epidermal cyst is surgical excision, which involves removing the cyst and its sac to prevent recurrence. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia.
When to See a Doctor:
- If the cyst becomes red, swollen, painful, or starts to drain pus, it might be infected.
- If you’re concerned about the cyst or it bothers you, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and potential removal.
An epidermal cyst, also known as an epidermoid cyst, is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that forms under the skin. It typically appears as a small, round bump and is most commonly found on the face, neck, or trunk.
Causes: Epidermal cysts develop when the outer layer of skin (epidermis) sheds cells that become trapped beneath the skin’s surface. This can occur due to:
- Blocked hair follicles: The most common cause is a blockage of the hair follicle or a sebaceous (oil) gland.
- Skin trauma: Injury or damage to the skin can sometimes lead to cyst formation.
- Genetic factors: Some individuals may inherit a tendency to develop epidermal cysts.
- Other conditions: In rare cases, certain conditions like Gardner’s syndrome can cause multiple cysts.
Symptoms: Epidermal cysts are usually slow-growing and often painless. They may:
- Appear as small, flesh-colored or yellowish bumps on the skin.
- Become red, swollen, or tender if infected or inflamed.
- Release a thick, smelly fluid if they rupture.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is typically based on physical examination. In some cases, a healthcare provider may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment: Treatment depends on the cyst’s size, location, and symptoms:
- Observation: If the cyst is small, non-inflamed, and not causing discomfort, it may not require treatment.
- Drainage or removal: If the cyst becomes infected or painful, a healthcare provider may drain it. However, this does not always guarantee that it won’t return.
- Surgical excision: The most effective treatment for removing an epidermal cyst is surgical excision, which involves removing the cyst and its sac to prevent recurrence. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia.
When to Seek Medical Attention: Consult a healthcare provider if:
- The cyst becomes red, swollen, painful, or starts to drain pus.
- You’re concerned about the cyst or it bothers you.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the Mayo Clinic’s overview on epidermoid cysts.
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Boils and cysts are two types of growths on the body. Also known as furuncles, boils are pockets of pus (a creamy, white substance) on the skin caused by bacteria infecting hair follicles.1 Cysts—noncancerous sacs of fluid, air, pus, or a soft substance called keratin—commonly affect the skin.2
Close contact with a person with a boil raises your chances of developing one, as do conditions that impact your immune system, like diabetes.3 Being past puberty or injury increases your chances of developing a cyst.2 Depending on the underlying cause, both can cause acute (temporary problems) or recur.
Because boils and cysts cause bumps and growths on the skin, it’s easy to mistake one for the other. However, knowing the differences between the conditions can help you determine when to see a healthcare provider.21
Symptoms of Boils vs. Cysts
Cysts and boils are among the most common skin conditions. Both cause circular growths or lumps on the skin and can look similar.
A boil looks like a large pimple—a swollen ring of red with one or more white or yellow pus-filled sores (pustules).1
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Though more flesh-colored, cysts also have a lighter white or yellow center.4
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Despite these similarities, there are significant differences in how these conditions present. They also have different causes. Boils are caused by infections that can cause symptoms in other parts of the body, while cysts are caused by a buildup of fluid or a ruptured pore. Common signs of these conditions include the following.
| Boils | Cysts |
|---|---|
| Grow quickly from a patch of red, itchy, or smooth skin, which swells and lightens in the center | Smooth, round lumps that grow gradually; more flesh-colored, with a lighter center |
| One or more yellow or white papules (pustules), surrounded by red, oozing, or leaking fluid | One or more central punctum (black dots) surrounded by white or yellow skin |
| About one-third inch in diameter; can get as large as two inches or more | Grows to a size of about one-half to several inches |
| Typically affects the neck, face, armpits, and buttocks, or areas where skin rubs together | Most often on the face, back, and chest, but can grow anywhere; also found in the lungs, ovaries, or other parts of the body |
| Growths filled with pus, a yellowish fluid | Contains keratin, a soft, yellow substance made of dead skin cells; a cheese-like substance |
| Painful when touched, itchy | Painless to the touch; swelling and pain only if infected |
| Fever and fatigue | Additional symptoms only if inflamed |
Differences
There are significant differences between cysts and boils, even though they look similar. They also have different causes and risk factors. Treatment and prevention options can also vary.
Different Causes
Boils arise when bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, infect the follicle, which surrounds the hair root. This spreads sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin. As a result, an abscess—an enclosed pocket of pus and dead tissue—forms.3
In contrast, cysts aren’t infections. The cells of the epidermis, or the outside layer of skin, constantly regenerate. Old, dead cells are shed and replenished with new, healthy ones from the layer beneath (the dermis). Cysts develop when problems shedding these cells occur, causing them to collect. Over time, this turns into a skin sac surrounding dead cells and fluid.4
The exact causes of cysts are unknown. Some arise when hair follicles become clogged, trapping in the skin cells.5 Penetrating injury—such as a body piercing—can also cause cysts to form, as can a rare genetic disorder, Gardner syndrome.6
Home Treatments May Work for Boils but Not Cysts
In many cases, boils resolve with at-home techniques that manage symptoms. Pain eases, and healing begins when the pus drains from the boil, but you shouldn’t try to pierce it yourself. Healthcare providers typically recommend you:7
- Apply a clean cloth soaked in warm water to the affected area for 10 minutes at a time, multiple times a day
- Clean the area with antibacterial soap and dress and bandage the area if pus leaks
- Wash hands if pus leaks, as boils can spread
- Pat it with antibacterial soap rather than scrubbing
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain
- Seek care from a dermatologist if the boil comes back or symptoms persist
For cysts, hot compresses only help if there’s an infection. While icing affected areas and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications may reduce pain or discomfort, cysts don’t “drain” on their own. Surgeries are the only way to remove them.8
Antibiotics May Help With Boils but Not Cysts
If a boil has burst, topical antibiotics may help prevent infection. For chronic or severe cases or if you have a fever or other symptoms, you may need oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.9
For cysts, you only need antibiotics if there’s an infection. A direct injection of diluted corticosteroid (often prednisone) into the cyst is an option if there’s swelling.10
Boils May Spread
The pus inside boils is rich with bacteria. Contact with this pus can spread boils to other parts of your body and other people. Keep affected areas clean with antibiotic soap and covered when healing. Be careful when disposing of bandages, and wash your hands thoroughly after contact.1
Unlike cysts, multiple boils can join together to form carbuncles. These are larger growths with multiple pustules.11
Similarities
While there are significant differences between boils and cysts, the two conditions share certain attributes. Both can become chronic or recurrent, diagnosis is similar, and some treatment options overlap.
Both Can Become Chronic
Depending on the underlying cause, both cysts and boils can become chronic or recurrent. If the entirety of a cyst isn’t surgically removed, it can come back. Cysts are almost always benign—meaning they’re noncancerous—but healthcare providers may test samples for cancer.12
Boils can also become recurrent, coming back even after drainage and treatment. This condition is known as furunculosis. In these cases, the boils may also spread among family members.3
Diagnosis Is Similar
Diagnosing boils and cysts generally relies on physical evaluation, with clinical testing sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis. Information like how fast the bump is growing and whether it’s painful can help providers distinguish between them and other skin conditions. Imaging is needed only in rare cases.
Diagnosis also relies on taking a culture, which involves using a swab to take a fluid sample and testing it in a lab to look for bacteria that can indicate a different skin condition, such as a bacterial infection.53
Surgery May Treat Both Conditions
Healthcare providers will lance a boil to drain the fluid if it does not heal or worsens. This simple surgical procedure can relieve symptoms. You may also take antibiotics to ensure success.9
Lancing is also used to treat swollen, infected cysts. The only way to ensure cysts don’t grow back is surgery to remove them entirely. Performed while under local anesthesia (so you’re awake but feel no pain), removal is either done with a scalpel (surgical excision) or a CO2 laser device.8
Due to the risk of infection and spread, you should never try to drain a boil or infected cyst. Leave this to the medical professionals.
Can You Have Both Cysts and Boils?
Because boils and cysts have distinct causes, you can have both. Someone who has developed cysts is still susceptible to S. aureus or other bacteria that cause boils. Infected cysts start to resemble boils, so healthcare providers often need to distinguish between the two when diagnosing.5
How can you tell the difference? The easiest way is to assess levels of pain. Uninfected cysts are typically painless to the touch, whereas boils are more pliant and painful.
When To Seek Care and Who to Contact
Knowing when you need medical help is critical if you have a bump on your skin. You should visit your primary healthcare provider promptly if you:41
- Develop boils on your spine or face
- Have a fever
- Get red streaks coming from growths
- Experience fatigue
- Show signs of infection
- Have symptoms for one week or more despite home treatments
- Have excessive pain or discomfort
- Get new growths or bumps on the body
If cases become severe or persistent, your primary care provider may refer you to a dermatologist or general surgeon. If you’re looking for a specialist, databases by medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Dermatology, can be reliable resources.
A Quick Review
Boils and cysts cause bumps on your skin, but there are some differences. Boils are painful, pus-filled, infected growths, whereas cysts aren’t caused by infection and don’t cause pain. That said, infected cysts can resemble boils.
If you have unexplained growths on your body that are not healing or cause excessive pain or discomfort, contact a healthcare provider. They can diagnose your condition and refer you to a dermatologist for treatment.