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Epidermoid (sebaceous) cyst

Cystis epidermoidalis · Epidermoidní (mazová) cysta

What it is

A sac of skin lining under the skin, filled with cheesy keratin and often with a dark pore on top; harmless unless it bursts or becomes infected.

Symptoms & signs

  • Firm round lump under the skin
  • a central dark pore
  • cheesy, smelly contents if squeezed
  • red, hot and painful when inflamed

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon Red, hot, painful swelling around the cyst
  • see a doctor soon Spreading redness, red streaks or fever
  • see a doctor soon Cyst that grows fast, bleeds or ulcerates
  • see a doctor soon Cyst that keeps coming back

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Leave alone if quiet
  • incision and drainage of an abscess
  • complete excision with the sac once it has settled
  • antibiotics only if infected

Natural & lifestyle

  • Do not squeeze
  • warm compresses when inflamed
  • gentle skin hygiene

Emerging & experimental

  • Minimal-excision and punch techniques
  • laser-assisted removal

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Tea tree oil — antiseptic in the lab; untested on cysts anecdotal / traditional
  • Drawing salve (black salve) — dangerous: it burns skin away and can scar badly anecdotal / traditional
  • Warm compresses — help an inflamed cyst drain; do not remove the sac early / small studies

ICD codes