Cysts
Cysts are noncancerous, nodular lesions of the skin that can be filled with fluid, pus, or dead skin cells.
Cysts are common on the skin and frequently appear on the back, neck, face or scalp. They feel like large peas under the surface of the skin. Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands (oil glands), manipulation of pimples or blackheads, or around foreign bodies, such as earrings.
Skin cysts usually are slow-growing, painless and smooth to the touch.
A cyst forms after trauma to the skin such as an acne lesion. During healing, part of the skin becomes trapped under the surface of the skin and a sac develops. Dead skin cells exfoliate inside the sac causing it to fill with a cheesy material.
A sudden increase in size of the cyst associated with redness or pain can indicate that the cyst has become infected. This is called an abscess.
Cysts usually do not cause pain unless they rupture or become infected or inflamed. Most cysts do not disappear on their own without treatment. Some cysts may need to be drained to relieve symptoms or infection. Drainage involves a physician piercing the cyst with a lancet and relieving the pressure. This doesn't cure the cyst, however, since the cyst sac is left in place and can regrow. Some inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of cortisone medication to cause it to shrink. Cysts that do not respond to other treatments or those that reoccur can be removed surgically if they cause symptoms.
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