Commonly known as a “Sebaceous cyst” “ epidermoid cyst (epidermal inclusion cyst), and a pilar cyst are both cysts that contain keratin, not sebum and neither originate from the sebaceous glands.
Epidermal inclusion cysts form after a blockage to the hair follicle. On areas of your body where you don’t have hair follicles, a cyst can also formate after an injury or trauma to your skin. the injury pushes your skin cells below the top layer of your body - the epidermis into the second layer - the dermis. This creates a pocket where keratin collects and forms a cyst.
An epidermal inclusion cyst usually has the following features:
- a round bump or dome-shaped lump
- a dark dot in the center of the cyst
- the size from 0.5 cm to 5 cm
- pink to red skin discoloration might be present
- it can be tender to the touch
- cyst can move easily
- cyst is usually located on the face, neck, arms, back, legs, genitalia, and scalp
Complications of epidermal inclusion cyst (sebaceous cyst)
- inflammation. The cyst is swollen and tender
- infection. Bacterial infection causes swellings, pain, increased temperature to the cyst area and surrounding skin, skin discoloration
- ruptured epidermal inclusion cyst. Cyst breaks open which usually causes swelling, pain, skin discoloration, and yellow often stinky fluid drainage.
Sebaceous cyst removal
Incision, drainage, and sac removal.
A small blood-free cut is made with an electro-surgical probe. The cyst is drained and a sac (bag or capsule) is removed.
Side effects
- infection
- bleeding
- pain
- scars