Conditions
Sebaceous Cyst
You’re nothing special – most people will get an epidermoid cyst at some point in their life but these smooth round lumps, commonly found on the scalp, neck, face, chest and upper back can often, quite understandably, cause alarm. Epidermoid cysts most commonly affect people in their 20s and 30s and are twice as likely on men – in fact the scrotum is a further common place for them to occur. The size of these lumps can vary from that of a small pea to a few centimetres wide and some may slowly grow over a few months. If punctured a toothpaste or cheese type fluid will sometimes seep from the cyst. Epidermoid cysts are not cancerous. Most of the time, if the cyst isn’t bothering you they can be left untouched however a number of reasons stipulate that some people may get them removed: if the cyst is particularly large or in an obvious place and therefore causing cosmetic dissatisfaction; if the cyst becomes infected or if the cyst is in a place where it is likely to become ‘traumatized’ such as the scalp which through frequent contact with a comb could become irritated. Removal is by way of a simple surgical procedure with a local anesthetic.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I had a large one on my back that had been there for about 5 or more years. I thought it was just a lump on my skin. I tried poking it with a needle one day and puss came out. I ended up removing the puss and cutting out the sack it was in. I have had no problems with it since then.
i've had a cyst removed from my back approx 10 cm by 10cm cut ot and packed etc ...how long do u estimate it to heal ??? goin on hols in 11 weeks !!!
I'm 18 and i have had a cyst next to my vagina for a couple of years. it was fairly big and would get bigger and sore then would puss. i had an operation to get this removed and as a result, i still have a lump which is a lot smaller but is a lot more painful and bleeds a lot. i have been on anti-biotics a lot and they dont do anything and just give me thrush. does anyone have any advice on what i should do?
I am 49 years old. Since puberty I have had a number of small white lumps around my vagina. they are usually like little peas, quite hard. Occasionally they well up and burst with a cheesy substance and a little blood coming out of them. Could these be cysts? As I get older I seem to get more of them - should I be worried?
I have been told i have a sebasious cyst which started as a little pimple bout 5 years ago a few months back i went to the gp to have it looked at again as it was double the size it was n i got told i could have it removed as it was cosmetic reason then a month ago i went bk to my doctors as it had moved just past my eye socket and is now a lot bigger part of it has changed to a deep red colour n some is skin tone colour it hurts like mad wen knocked i lie on it or even sqwint it has started peeling n i now have 2 black dots on it a lil worried tbh im due to see a plastic surgeon on tuesday but not sure if i should go back to the doctors as really worried about whats going on any help will be very greatfull of..
Hi iv noticed iv got a Few lumps and bumps down below and iv read up on what it can be And its sebaceous gland blocked on the gentils can you help or give info on how i can make it go please?
My partner had sebaceous cysts for years,at first they mis-diagnosed him and gave him an iodine shampoo but it made it worse,but then he was send to a dermatogolist who prescribed him clindimicin which cleared it up straight away,he is left with a few scars but they dont bother him
my husband has had these lumps on his head for years they cleared up but have come back and they r very painful. They make his head swell where 1 is coming up and it looks like u should squeeze them but they really hurt him even if u touch his hair near 1 .His doctor sent him 2 dermatogolist who prescribed an antibiotic .This cleared them up so he stopped he tablets 3 years after his they r back even worse.
Hi, My boyfriend is 32 and has a few cysts on his head. We have been to the doctors and he said they are glands and they can only remove them if they were to get infected. They dont get infected they are just full of fluid, which from time to time will burst. His head is becoming very sore and is unable to shave his head. He is feeling quite embarrassed by them. Can you please tell if there is other treatment, e.g antibiotics or some form of treatment to help to make these cysts disappear?
I used to have a cyst on the back of my neck. it burst out as an infection twice now. i had a ridding accident 13 months ago and it feels like the lump has twisted and gone deeper under my skin. there is a spot on the back of my neck where it burst before.can i get this removed privately as my doctor is not concerned as it causing me greay discomfort and stopping me working?
I'm 23 and I had a small lump come up on the under side of my shaft. It's small hard flesh coloured lump that seems like it is only attached to my skin, there is only a slight redness to the lump. The lump appeared after intercourse a few days ago. Any advice before I go to the doctors?
i get lumps near my genital area, sometimes they are full of puss or blood when they burst, they are really sore to touch. what are they? should i be worried
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
