How to deal with painful sebaceous cysts?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on January 18, 2025
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Sebaceous cysts generally have several causes. The first is that the sebaceous glands enlarge and grow in areas subject to pressure or friction, causing pain. Others involve long-existing sebaceous cysts that recently became infected with bacteria, leading to localized pain. In such cases, it is recommended to visit a dermatology department at a reputable hospital for minor surgery to completely remove the cyst sac and its cheese-like contents. It may also be appropriate to take some anti-inflammatory medication. During and after treatment, it is crucial to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle, as this condition is somewhat related to excessive sebum secretion. Therefore, it's important to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, try not to stay up late, engage in regular exercise, sweat more, and bathe frequently.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Are sebaceous cysts prone to recurrence?

Sebaceous cysts are benign proliferations that occur due to an over-secretion of local sebaceous glands mixed with bacterial infection. Generally, they can appear on any part of the skin. Although benign, if left untreated, they tend to grow larger. Typically, surgical removal is curative if the cyst sac is completely excised, with recurrence usually due to incomplete removal of the cyst sac or new flare-ups at other sites due to inflammation and infection. Once the condition is adequately treated, it is crucial to adopt a standardized diet and lifestyle habits. Try to avoid greasy and spicy foods, enhance physical exercise, sweat more, and avoid bathing or swimming in public pools, as well as keeping pets.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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The likelihood of sebaceous cysts turning cancerous

Sebaceous cysts are localized hypersecretion of sebaceous glands that form benign proliferations on the skin surface after mixing with bacterial infections. They generally form a sac under the skin containing tofu-dreg-like substances. Sebaceous cysts do not become malignant, and clinically, these diseases almost have no possibility of malignancy. Once discovered, it is essential to first get a diagnosis and then treatment at the dermatology department of a standard hospital. The most common treatment method is surgery to directly remove the tofu-dreg-like substances and the sac. If left untreated, the cyst may grow larger or rupture, leading to re-infection, which can be problematic.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

How to deal with painful sebaceous cysts?

Sebaceous cysts generally have several causes. The first is that the sebaceous glands enlarge and grow in areas subject to pressure or friction, causing pain. Others involve long-existing sebaceous cysts that recently became infected with bacteria, leading to localized pain. In such cases, it is recommended to visit a dermatology department at a reputable hospital for minor surgery to completely remove the cyst sac and its cheese-like contents. It may also be appropriate to take some anti-inflammatory medication. During and after treatment, it is crucial to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle, as this condition is somewhat related to excessive sebum secretion. Therefore, it's important to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, try not to stay up late, engage in regular exercise, sweat more, and bathe frequently.

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home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
55sec home-news-image

Do sebaceous cysts require surgery?

Sebaceous cysts. These belong to a type of benign proliferation that forms after local skin inflammation and infection, where sebaceous glands cluster in a localized area. Generally, once a cyst has formed, medications alone cannot completely eliminate it. Only when the inflammatory infection is severe, can anti-inflammatory medications provide temporary symptom relief. The definitive treatment plan involves a minor surgery in a formal hospital's dermatology department to completely remove it. Normally, there is no recurrence as long as the cyst sac is completely cleared. After treatment, it is essential to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and minimize activities like public baths and swimming to reduce the risk of re-infection due to bacteria on the skin surface.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How long does it take for a sebaceous cyst to go down?

Sebaceous cysts, once they appear, will gradually increase in size as they grow, and generally, they will not subside or heal on their own. Once discovered, it is essential to visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital. Allow doctors to diagnose before treating. The most common and thorough method is still to perform minor surgery to completely remove the tofu-dregs-like material inside. This disease is related to vigorous sebaceous gland secretion and bacterial infection on the skin surface. Therefore, after recovery, it is crucial to regulate dietary and lifestyle habits, avoid public baths and swimming, avoid eating spicy and stimulating food, and routinely enhance exercise and bathe more often. It is also advised not to keep small animals at home.