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Should you squeeze out a sebaceous cyst?

You should not attempt to squeeze out a sebaceous cyst on your own as this can cause trauma to the cyst, and increase the chance of infection and scarring. If there is any pain or discharge, you need to consult a dermatologist.

1. Infection risk: Squeezing the cyst can push bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to an infection. If the cyst becomes infected, it can become more painful, inflamed, and even develop an abscess (a pocket of pus).
2. Scarring: Squeezing or trying to pop the cyst can cause damage to the skin, leading to permanent scarring. Even if the cyst does drain, the wound left behind can result in a visible scar.
3. Recurrence: Simply squeezing the cyst may not remove the cyst wall (the sac). If the cyst wall isn’t removed completely, it can refill with sebum and grow back, sometimes larger or more bothersome than before.

What should you do instead?

• Warm compress: Applying a warm compress several times a day may help the cyst to drain on its own. This can reduce discomfort, but it might not completely eliminate the cyst.
• Consult a doctor: If the cyst is causing discomfort or concern, it’s best to have it examined by a healthcare provider. They can drain or remove it safely, often under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. A doctor can also determine whether it’s infected or if it needs to be treated more urgently.

1. Apply a Warm Compress

• Why: A warm compress helps to soften the cyst and may encourage it to drain naturally.
• How: Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring it out, and apply it to the cyst for about 15-20 minutes. Do this several times a day to reduce swelling and irritation.
• Note: This can help if the cyst is superficial or just starting to show signs of draining, but it may not be effective for all cysts.

2. Keep It Clean

• Why: Keeping the area clean reduces the risk of infection.
• How: Gently wash the area around the cyst with mild soap and water. Avoid scrubbing or squeezing it. If the cyst opens on its own, you can gently clean the area with an antiseptic or antibacterial ointment like Neosporin.

3. Avoid Popping It

• Why: As mentioned, squeezing can introduce bacteria, cause inflammation, and increase the risk of scarring or infection. It’s best not to touch the cyst too much.

4. Use Over-the-Counter Creams or Ointments (if necessary)

• Why: If the cyst is inflamed or painful, you can apply over-the-counter creams like hydrocortisone or antibiotic ointments to reduce swelling and prevent infection.
• How: Apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream or antibiotic ointment to the cyst after cleaning it. This may help with minor irritation or inflammation.

5. Visit a Doctor for Professional Treatment

• Why: If the cyst is large, painful, infected, or recurring, a doctor can provide the most effective treatment.
• How: Your doctor may drain the cyst using a sterile needle, remove it entirely, or inject a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. If it’s infected, antibiotics might be prescribed.
• Note: A doctor will also ensure the cyst is properly removed, minimizing the risk of recurrence and ensuring no infection is left behind.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

• If the cyst is becoming painful or red, indicating possible infection.
• If the cyst doesn’t go away after using a warm compress or other home remedies.
• If the cyst recurs after being drained or removed.
• If you are unsure about the diagnosis and want professional reassurance.

How can I get rid of a cyst at home?

You can use warm sterile water and apply it on a compress to the sebaceous cyst.  It is important not to  use boiling hot water to avoid burning the skin. Leave the warm compress on the affected area and apply an over the counter antibiotic ointment and benzoyl peroxide ointment twice a day.  Repeat the warm compresses several times during the day as needed.

1. Warm Compress

• How it helps: A warm compress can encourage the cyst to drain by softening the material inside it and increasing blood circulation to the area.
• How to do it:
  • Soak a clean washcloth in warm water.
  • Wring it out and apply it to the cyst for 15–20 minutes.
  • Repeat this 2–3 times a day for several days.
• Tip: Ensure the water isn’t too hot to avoid burns. If the cyst begins to drain, gently clean the area afterward.

2. Tea Tree Oil

• How it helps: Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce irritation and prevent infection if the cyst is open.
• How to do it:
  • Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil), as it can be irritating to the skin.
  • Apply a small amount to the cyst using a cotton ball or a clean finger.
  • Repeat once or twice a day until you notice improvement.
• Caution: Be careful not to apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to your skin, as it can cause irritation.

3. Epsom Salt Soak

• How it helps: Epsom salts can help reduce swelling and may encourage the cyst to drain.
• How to do it:
  • Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salt in warm water.
  • Soak the affected area in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
  • Repeat this process a few times a week.
• Tip: This is especially helpful if the cyst is near a part of your body that can easily be soaked, like your hand or foot.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

• How it helps: Apple cider vinegar is thought to help with the absorption of the cyst’s contents due to its acidic properties.
• How to do it:
  • Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar.
  • Apply it to the cyst and cover with a bandage for a few hours or overnight.
  • Do this daily.
• Caution: Apple cider vinegar can irritate the skin, so test it on a small area first to make sure you don’t have a sensitivity reaction.

5. Aloe Vera

• How it helps: Aloe vera has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce swelling and irritation.
• How to do it:
  • Use fresh aloe vera gel or a pure aloe vera product.
  • Apply it directly to the cyst.
  • Repeat a couple of times a day.
• Tip: Aloe vera is especially useful for soothing cysts that have become inflamed or irritated.

When to See a Doctor:

• If the cyst doesn’t improve: If the cyst doesn’t shrink or become less painful after several days of home treatment, it’s best to consult a doctor.
• If it becomes infected: Signs of infection include redness, warmth, pus, and increasing pain. A doctor can help drain the cyst safely and prescribe antibiotics if needed.
• If it causes significant discomfort: If the cyst is large or causing cosmetic concerns, a doctor can remove it entirely.

Can I stick a needle in a sebaceous cyst?

Some patients attempt to sterilize a needle and puncture the cyst. However, it is likely that you will be unable to remove all of the cyst contents and the cyst wall and will have irritated the area and make it more prone to infection.

How do you remove a sebaceous cyst at home?

It is not advised to remove a sebaceous cyst at home since this can lead to scarring and infection.  It would be almost impossible to remove the cyst wall without special medical tools, so the cyst would be irritated and prone to infection, recurrence, and scarring.

1. Warm Compress (To Help it Drain)

• How it helps: A warm compress can soften the cyst and encourage it to drain on its own, especially if it’s superficial or near the surface of the skin.
• How to do it:
  • Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water.
  • Wring out the excess water and apply the cloth to the cyst for 15-20 minutes.
  • Repeat 2–3 times a day for a few days to see if the cyst drains or shrinks.
• Caution: This will only help with drainage if the cyst is close to the surface. It won’t completely remove deeper cysts.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

• How it helps: ACV has natural acidic properties that may help with the absorption of the cyst’s contents, although there’s limited evidence that it will fully eliminate the cyst.
• How to do it:
  • Soak a cotton ball in diluted apple cider vinegar.
  • Apply it directly to the cyst and cover with a bandage for a few hours or overnight.
  • Repeat once daily.
• Caution: ACV can irritate the skin, so make sure to do a patch test first and dilute it before use.

3. Tea Tree Oil

• How it helps: Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help reduce swelling and prevent infection if the cyst drains.
• How to do it:
  • Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil) to avoid skin irritation.
  • Apply the diluted oil to the cyst 1-2 times a day using a cotton swab.
• Caution: Never apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to your skin, as it can cause irritation.

4. Aloe Vera

• How it helps: Aloe vera is soothing and can help reduce inflammation around the cyst, especially if it’s inflamed or irritated.
• How to do it:
  • Use fresh aloe vera gel or a pure aloe product.
  • Apply the gel directly to the cyst.
  • Repeat 2–3 times a day.
• Tip: Aloe vera is safe for most skin types and can help soothe the skin as you wait for the cyst to heal.

When It’s Time to See a Doctor:

If your sebaceous cyst is:

• Painful, infected, or red: If you notice any signs of infection, such as warmth, pus, or increasing redness, it’s time to see a doctor.
• Large and uncomfortable: If the cyst is large, causing discomfort, or affecting your appearance, it’s better to get professional treatment.
• Recurring: If the cyst keeps coming back after home treatment, a healthcare professional can remove the cyst wall to prevent recurrence.

What a Doctor Would Do:

A doctor may recommend:

• Incision and drainage: In some cases, they may drain the cyst by making a small incision and removing the contents.
• Surgical removal: If the cyst is large or persistent, they may remove it completely, including the cyst wall, under local anesthesia.

Why a Doctor Is the Best Option:

Attempting to remove the cyst yourself can lead to complications, such as:

• Incomplete removal: If you don’t remove the entire cyst sac, it can refill with sebum and grow back.
• Infection and scarring: If you use non-sterile equipment or don’t take proper precautions, you can introduce bacteria and cause an infection, leaving scars.

What can happen if a cyst is left untreated?

If the cyst is left untreated and is small and not uncomfortable then it does not need to be treated. However, if the cyst is large, or in a location which is uncomfortable, painful, or cosmetically unsightly, you should consult your dermatologist for removal of the cyst

• Avoid squeezing it: It’s tempting, but squeezing or popping a sebaceous cyst can lead to infection, scarring, or more swelling. It’s best to leave it alone.
• Warm compress: Applying a warm compress to the cyst for about 15-20 minutes several times a day may help reduce inflammation and promote drainage, but it won’t necessarily make the cyst go away entirely.
• Over-the-counter treatments: Sometimes, over-the-counter ointments like hydrocortisone cream or antibiotic ointment can help reduce swelling if there’s any infection.
• See a doctor for removal: If the cyst becomes painful, infected, or if you just want it removed for cosmetic reasons, a healthcare provider can perform a minor procedure to remove it completely. This is usually done under local anesthesia.

What is a Sebaceous Cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a non-cancerous, closed pocket of tissue filled with a thick, oily substance (sebum). Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin. These cysts are usually found on the face, neck, or torso, but they can form anywhere on the body. They develop when the sebaceous gland becomes blocked.

Causes

• Blocked hair follicles or sebaceous glands: The most common cause of sebaceous cysts is a blockage in the sebaceous gland’s duct. When the duct is blocked, the sebum inside the gland builds up and forms a cyst.
• Skin trauma or inflammation: A sebaceous cyst may also result from a wound or damaged skin, such as a cut or acne.
• Genetic conditions: Some genetic conditions like Gardner’s syndrome can make people more prone to developing sebaceous cysts.

Symptoms

• Small, round, and movable lump under the skin
• A yellow or white material may drain from the cyst if it bursts
• Infected cysts may become red, inflamed, and painful
• May have a foul odor if infected

Treatment and Management

• Home remedies: Applying a warm compress several times a day may help reduce discomfort and encourage the cyst to drain on its own. Avoid squeezing it, as this could cause infection.
• Medications: Topical antibiotics or steroids can sometimes reduce inflammation, especially if the cyst is infected or inflamed.
• Professional removal: If the cyst becomes painful, infected, or recurrent, a doctor may suggest draining it or removing it entirely. This is usually done under local anesthesia in a simple office procedure. If the cyst is large, the doctor may need to remove the sac to prevent the cyst from returning.

When to See a Doctor

• If the cyst grows rapidly
• If the cyst becomes painful or shows signs of infection (redness, heat, swelling)
• If the cyst recurs after being drained or removed
• If it affects daily life or causes cosmetic concerns