Cysts are characterized as closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid or pus. Typically, a cyst feels like a pea-sized pouch of liquid that lies beneath the surface of the skin.
Although some people initially fear that their skin cysts are cancerous, they are usually benign and pose no health threat. While some skin cysts may feel tender to the touch, others are completely painless.
What Are the Various Types of Cysts?
There are literally hundreds of different types of skin cysts. They can also occur virtually anywhere in the body. Some of the most common areas include the back, face, genitals, scalp, and underneath the arm pits. Often times, the cyst may stem from an infected hair follicle.
Diagnosis
Our dermatologists can easily diagnose the presence of a skin cyst by visually and physically inspecting the lump. However, a biopsy may be recommended to rule out any other underlying health conditions.
What Are the Available Treatments for Cysts?
In many instances, a skin cyst will disappear on its own. However, persistent or inflamed skin cysts will need to be treated by a professional dermatologist.
Cryosurgery has proven to be a very effective treatment for cyst removal. This cyst treatment involves freezing the tissue with liquid nitrogen. Another popular treatment is a cyst removal surgery. The goal of this procedure is to open up the cyst and remove the infected growth.
After the cyst removal, the wound is closed up with stitches. Post treatment can be discussed with your doctor prior to the procedure.