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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How to operate on a sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cysts are benign hyperplasia formed due to vigorous secretion of one's own sebaceous glands and are somewhat related to inflammatory infections. Oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective for this condition. The most common treatment is a minor surgery to completely remove the cyst sac and tofu-dreg-like substances inside. You can seek formal treatment in the dermatology department of a regular hospital. This surgery is minor and does not require hospitalization; it generally can be cured on the same day. After the surgery, the wound needs about a week to heal. This disease has a certain recurrence rate. After recovery, it is crucial to standardize your diet and lifestyle, avoid spicy and irritating foods, try not to stay up late, regularly exercise, sweat more, and take more showers.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Are sebaceous cysts contagious?

Sebaceous cysts are benign proliferations on the skin surface due to vigorous secretion of the sebaceous glands or local bacterial infections. This disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through contact. However, if left untreated, the condition may worsen over time, potentially increasing in size and leading to pain or rupture. Once diagnosed, it is advised to undergo a minor surgery at a reputable hospital's dermatology department. The cyst and its sac should be completely removed. Generally, the likelihood of recurrence is low. It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits. Avoid public baths and swimming, abstain from spicy foods, avoid staying up late, do not keep pets at home, and frequently sanitize clothing, bedsheets, and covers by exposing them to sunlight.

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Do sebaceous cysts hurt?

Typically, sebaceous cysts are painless and do not cause itching sensations. However, if a sebaceous cyst grows or enlarges, it can become painful, especially when compressed, rubbed, or during sleep. If this occurs, it is advisable to visit a dermatology department at a reputable hospital for a minor surgery to completely remove the cystic sac and its cheesy content. After recovery, maintaining good dietary and lifestyle habits is crucial. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, avoid alcohol and sweet foods, exercise regularly, bathe frequently, and if possible, avoid keeping small animals at home. Additionally, ensure that clothes, bed sheets, and quilt covers are often sun-dried and disinfected.

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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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Can sebaceous cysts be treated with laser?

Sebaceous cysts are a type of benign proliferation that is somewhat related to vigorous sebaceous gland secretion. These are localized subcutaneous sacs containing a substance similar to tofu dregs. This condition cannot be treated with lasers. Using lasers to break the local epidermis can remove the tofu dregs-like substance inside, but it also hampers wound healing. The most common treatment for this condition is to visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital and undergo a minor surgery to entirely remove the cyst and the tofu dregs-like substance. After healing, it is crucial to regulate one's diet and lifestyle, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, engage in regular exercise, sweat more, and bathe frequently to help prevent recurrence.