Associated symptoms | Sebaceous cysts

Associated symptoms

As a rule, sebaceous gland cysts do not lead to complaints. They are usually asymptomatic and only represent a cosmetic problem for those affected. Rarely do sebaceous gland cysts cause symptoms such as pain, increased swelling and redness.

This is the case when they are inflamed. Inflammation occurs more often after a sebaceous cyst has been improperly expressed or punctured. Bacteria can then enter the cyst and sometimes cause severe inflammation.

In the worst case, this can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis) or an abscess. Then a sebaceous gland cyst must be operated. Trichilemmal cysts of the scalp can sometimes become very large, so that they are perceived as extremely disturbing by those affected. Only in very rare cases can malignant tumors develop from sebaceous gland cysts.

How can a sebaceous cyst be removed?

Sebaceous cysts can usually be removed with local anesthesia. They should be removed with their entire capsule or cyst sac, otherwise the cyst may reappear due to remnants remaining in the skin. The cysts should not be expressed, as this can lead to inflammation.

If several cysts are found on different parts of the body, laser removal is also possible. However, laser removal may only be performed if the diagnosis is certain. If a malignant structure is suspected, laser removal should not be performed.

In this case, surgical removal would also be the method of choice. Surgical removal also leads to cosmetically satisfactory results with very small to non-visible scars. The healing is carried out without complications.

No severe pain is to be expected after the removal. Also in the intimate area there are countless valley glands, which are very important for the protection of the skin. Unfortunately, sebaceous cysts can also develop from these sebaceous glands.

Many affected persons are ashamed of the cysts and find them, especially in this area of the body, extremely unaesthetic. If the cysts become inflamed, they are very painful and must be removed to avoid complications. Removal is also possible in the intimate area and should be carried out if the sebaceous gland cysts are disturbing or cause discomfort.At the head there are mainly the so-called trichilemmal cysts.

These are benign cysts of the sebaceous glands of the scalp that do not cause any complaints. They can be palpated as easily movable nodes under the scalp and are usually hairless. Their surface is slightly shiny and their appearance is often described as bulging.

They can sometimes be very large and are therefore perceived as disturbing by those affected. Usually there are several such cysts. On average, women are more frequently affected than men.

These sebaceous gland cysts can be surgically removed if they are disturbing. It is important to remove the entire cyst sac, as otherwise cysts may reappear in the same place. There are many sebaceous glands in the intimate area of women, including those on the labia.

Therefore sebaceous gland cysts can also develop in this area. A sebaceous gland cyst of the labia must not be confused with a so-called bartholinitis. This is a painful bacterial infection of the Bartholin gland, which leads to a one-sided swelling at the rear edge of the labia.

A sebaceous gland cyst, on the other hand, is a painless swelling that can be palpated like a small nodule. However, it can also become inflamed and then cause pain. Sebaceous cysts of the labia can be removed if they cause discomfort or are a cosmetic problem.

Cysts of the sebaceous glands can also appear on the scrotum. An occurrence of several cysts on the scrotum is also called sebocystomatosis scroti. They do not pose a threat to sexual function, but in most cases they are a cosmetic problem for the affected person.

In addition, the cysts can become inflamed and infected by improperly squeezing or pricking. In this case complications such as abscesses are possible. In most cases, patients wish to have their cysts removed even without symptoms.

This is also possible in this area without any problems. The back is a frequent localization of sebaceous gland cysts. These cysts are epidermoid cysts, which are connected to the skin surface by their excretory duct.

Young people are affected by these troublesome cysts. In the context of acne, the cysts appear in large numbers on the back and are often inflamed. Inflamed cysts are treated with antibiotics, which are taken as tablets before they can be surgically removed.