A sebaceous cyst is common, and most people have probably had it at some point in their lives. They are unsightly, unattractive, and they can be painful. This swollen bump can sometimes appear on the body after a minor injury or from pinching or popping pimples too aggressively.
Like other minor surgeries like split earlobe surgery, sebaceous cyst removal requires local anesthesia.
What Is Sebaceous Cyst?
Sebaceous cysts appear as soft swellings with a small opening that secretes a thick fluid. Sometimes it never opens and contains a creamy white material that smells foul. These cysts may contain hair follicles and dirt that accumulated with dead cells. If found early enough, they can often be treated effectively with a local anesthetic.
According to experts, sebaceous glands are holocrine glands, which can be found over the body’s entire surface, except the palms, soles, and dorsum of the feet. They are the largest and most concentrated in the scalp and face, where acne originates. They produce an oily, waxy substance called sebum, helping moisturize and lubricate human hair and skin.
In other words, When these glands become blocked and begin to swell, it produces what we call a sebaceous cyst. Treatment ranges from draining with a needle for small ones to surgical excision if they become large or painful.
It’s crucial to choose a reputable clinic, even if it’s just a minor surgery. If you’re around Toronto, you may check out Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC). They also have skin cancer treatment at TMSC.
What to Expect From the Surgery
If your cyst is small, not growing, and doesn’t affect you in any way, it can usually be ignored. In some cases, when it’s inflamed, your doctor will inject it with a steroid drug to reduce swelling, even if it’s small. They may also drain a cyst that is large or tender. Removal may be an option if the cyst leads to hair loss on the scalp or interferes with clothing.
To prepare you for the procedure, your doctor will numb your skin with local anesthesia. They will cut and squeeze the protein inside. When the cyst is entirely removed, the possibility to come back is slim, while it may recur if a part of the lining remains.
Methods for Removing Sebaceous Cyst
- Conventional Wide Excision. This method completely removes a cyst but can leave a long scar.
- Laser with punch biopsy excision. Physicians use a laser to make a small hole and drain the cyst of its contents. After a month, the outer walls of the cyst are removed.
- Minimal Excision. This method causes minimal scarring but doesn’t guarantee that the cyst will not return.
Many patients ask about the complications of the procedure. One of the side effects is the tendency to scar and infection in rare cases. If you observe any signs of infection, including redness, pain, and fever, make sure to call your doctor. While most infections will go away with antibiotics, it’s always best to visit your doctor.
Sebaceous Cyst Removal Aftercare
After sebaceous cyst removal, you should follow suggested aftercare instructions to minimize scarring and speed up healing.
- You can shower as soon as 24 hours after surgery and should shower daily after that. Use a clean paper towel or non-abrasive cloth to pat the area before getting into the water.
- Washing your hair should be okay, but it might be wise not to let the shampoo run down onto the wound site.
- You can expect some bleeding during the showers for several days following the surgery, so take care when rinsing off to avoid unnecessary abrasion of your new wound. Gently pat yourself dry once more with a fresh paper towel or cloth before applying antibiotic ointment and a light bandage.
- You should apply antibiotic ointment to the incision line 2-3 times per day, as prescribed by your physician or medical staff. You can expect some increased redness and swelling at first, as this is normal and will subside within weeks.
- If you experience any scabbing on either side of the incision line after sebaceous cyst removal, leave it alone, and do not try to pick it off under any circumstances. This scab is beneficial in many cases because it helps protect the wound site from bacterial infection. DO NOT wet these scabs. If they become moistened by water exposure, blot them dry with a fresh paper towel or cloth.
Remember
It’s typical to experience mild to moderate pain after sebaceous cyst removal surgery. You can expect the pain to peak around 3-4 days following the surgery and then begin to subside after that time. It is recommended that you take ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours during the postoperative period as needed to control your pain level. Do not exceed four doses per day or 1200 mg in 24 hours under any circumstances. Drink plenty of fluids while taking ibuprofen to prevent gastric ulceration.
Check here for other expert aftercare advice and other minor surgeries TMSC offers.
Wound Care Precautions After Sebaceous Cyst Removal
- Use non-scratching implements to clean surgical wounds, such as Q-tips gauze pads.
- Avoid hydrogen peroxide or iodine to clean surgical wounds. Mild soap and water are adequate for cleaning the wound.
- Avoid smoking when taking antibiotics because this will decrease their effectiveness.