What is a Sebaceous Cyst? A blog about sebaceous cysts, its causes and treatment.


Sebaceous Cyst is a closed sac that is filled with a substance called keratin, which is present in human skin. It generally forms under the surface of the skin and causes swelling. The cyst can occur on any part of the body but it mainly develops in areas like the back, face, neck and chest.

It is not necessary that a person will experience symptoms as soon as he or she develops a sebaceous cyst. Most of the times, people remain unaware of its presence unless they happen to see it or they feel some pain. A sebaceous cyst looks like a bump on the skin and usually has the following characteristics:

It may be felt under the skin

Pus or blood may ooze out of it if broken

It may be painful if swollen or inflamed

It grows slowly and can develop into a size that ranges between a pea and a golf ball

A sebaceous cyst is not dangerous, however it can cause discomfort if it happens to get infected and inflamed. In such cases, you will have to get rid of your sebaceous cyst immediately by undergoing surgery or some other treatment.

Sebaceous cysts are small, hard lumps that grow under the skin. They are non-cancerous and generally painless, and may be caused by a number of factors, including inflammation and an increased release of sebum.

Sebaceous cysts are also known as epidermoid cysts, which are benign tumors that can appear anywhere on the body. These cysts are usually filled with a yellowish or white pasty material that may have a foul odor. The surface of these cysts is usually smooth and shiny. Sebaceous cysts can vary in size, but most are small, usually 1 to 2 centimeters full-grown.

The cause of sebaceous cysts is not yet fully understood. Some doctors believe they are hereditary while others believe they are caused by injury to the skin or blockage of glands in the skin called sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands secrete oil that moisturizes hair and skin called sebum. If there is trauma or injury to these glands, it may lead to an increased release of sebum, which can then block the hair follicles and result in a cyst forming under your skin.

The Sebaceous Cyst is a bump on the skin that forms due to blockage of the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous cysts are non-cancerous and benign. They can appear on any part of the body but mostly found in the areas where there is a higher concentration of sebaceous glands like face, chest, back and genitals.

Sebaceous cysts are commonly known as epidermal cysts or epidermoid cysts but they should not be confused with pilar or trichilemmal cysts. The difference between these three types of cysts can be understood through microscopic appearance, location and their content.

Sebaceous Cyst – Appearance

Sebaceous cyst starts as a small bump and over time grows bigger in size. Sebaceous cyst has a round base with a dome shape. It has an average diameter of 0.2 – 1 inch (5–25 mm) but in some cases, they can grow up to 6 inches (150 mm) in diameter. Sebaceous cyst is usually filled with keratin which gives it a white creamy appearance but sometimes it may contain blood or pus which makes it look yellowish or reddish in color.

Sebaceous cysts are also known as epidermal cysts or keratin cysts. The word “sebaceous” refers to the oil that we all have in our skin and hair, called sebum. A sebaceous cyst is a small bump that grows under your skin. The cyst contains a “cheesy” or oily material. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands that lubricate your hair and skin to prevent it from drying out. Epidermoid cysts develop when this oily substance becomes trapped. This may occur due to injury or blockage of the gland.

Sebaceous cysts are not harmful, although they may become irritated and painful, especially if they rupture. Cysts can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the face, neck, chest, and back. They are typically painless and slow-growing so removal isn’t necessary unless you desire cosmetic improvement or experience pain or infection.

Although sebaceous cysts do not always require treatment, you may choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become painful or infected. Treatment will depend on several factors including size, location, type and severity of your symptoms. Treatment options may include antibiotics to clear up infection in an

A sebaceous cyst is a small bump that grows under your skin. These bumps are noncancerous and are filled with a fatty white substance called sebum. They can appear anywhere on your body but usually grow on the face, neck, or upper body.

Most sebaceous cysts don’t cause pain unless they become infected or inflamed. You can have one or several sebaceous cysts at the same time. It’s not uncommon to have them come back after treatment.

A Sebaceous Cyst is a small bump that grows under your skin. The cyst forms from a clogged oil gland or hair follicle. This bump is filled with an oily substance called sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands to moisturize the skin and hair. Normally, this substance empties onto the surface of the skin through hair follicles. But sometimes, the opening that normally allows the sebum to leave gets blocked and causes a cyst to develop.

Sebaceous cysts usually occur on the face, upper back, scrotum, vulva, perianal areas, buttocks, groin and other body parts with hair follicles. Although these are harmless lumps, they can become infected and cause pain or discomfort which will require treatment.

Sebaceous cysts are skin growths that form as a result of blockage of the sebaceous glands. These cysts are usually harmless, but when infected may cause pain and discomfort. The sebaceous glands are tiny glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum helps to keep your hair and skin moisturized. The ducts of these glands get blocked due to various reasons, which results in the formation of a sebaceous cyst.


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