What should I do if a sebaceous cyst recurs?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on April 27, 2025
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Sebaceous cysts are tumors formed by the accumulation of excessively secreted sebum from the sebaceous glands in localized areas. These cysts contain a substance resembling tofu dregs and mostly develop in areas with active sebaceous gland secretion. Generally, surgical removal is often completely effective. If the condition recurs, it indicates either significant local inflammation or incomplete removal during surgery. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a dermatology department at a reputable hospital for another minor surgery to ensure complete excision of the cyst sac. Additionally, it is important to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, refraining from staying up late, and avoiding public baths and swimming pools. It's also advisable not to keep small animals at home.

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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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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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What medication should be applied for a sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous cysts are benign proliferations that form due to the vigorous secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands. They are generally located subcutaneously, not too deep, and consist of a sac filled with tofu-dreg-like material. This material forms from an initial abscess, whose clear pus gradually dries out. External and oral medications are generally ineffective for this condition, so it is advisable not to use topical medications. The most common treatment approach is to undergo minor surgery at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital to completely remove the sac and its contents. Subsequently, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and reduce staying up late to prevent recurrence of the condition.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can sebaceous cysts be ignored?

Sebaceous cysts are a type of benign proliferation that forms in areas of the skin where sebaceous glands are particularly active, containing a tofu-dreg-like substance encased in a cyst. Without treatment, they may gradually increase in size and can become painful or even rupture, leading to bacterial infection. It is generally advisable to seek treatment upon detection of such a condition. One can visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital for a minor surgery to remove both the tofu-dreg-like substance and the cyst, which can be curative. It is also important to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, bathe frequently, and exercise regularly to potentially prevent recurrence of the condition.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What medicine should be applied for a sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous cysts are benign proliferations that form under the skin due to the hypersecretion of sebaceous glands. These are also somewhat related to inflammation within the body, forming a sac filled with a tofu-like substance. This condition generally does not respond to oral or topical medications, so there is no need for topical drug treatment. The most common approach is to undergo a minor surgery at a dermatology department in a formal hospital, where the cyst and the substance inside are completely removed, achieving a cure. After recovery, it is crucial to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, refrain from staying up late, and avoid public baths, swimming, and keeping pets at home.