Cysts are common lesions that can be painful and irritating. Rest assured that your cysts will be extracted by an experienced doctor, as effectively as possible. Learn about various cyst types and how Dr Ankur Bansal can remove them.
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is a fluid or semi-solid fluid-filled sac that can vary in location, size, and type. Cysts generally form under the dermal layer of skin but can also be found in bodily tissue or organs. While most cysts below the skin are painless and asymptomatic, some can be painful and need to be removed to alleviate irritation and discomfort.
How Do You Remove a Cyst?
Our Melbourne clinic removes cysts by a surgical excision. This procedure involves opening the skin, identifying the lesion, and removing it. An excision starts with the site being numbed by local anaesthetic, and an incision is made to find the cyst below and remove it. The incision site is stitched together and dressed, allowing you to recover comfortably. Finally, the lesion is sent to a lab for analysis and diagnosis.
After your excision, we will give you post-operative instructions to avoid complications during your recovery. It is important to follow these instructions to allow the wound to heal optimally without infection. Stitches are generally removed within a week of the procedure. If the cyst is not fully removed, it may recur.
While you may be able to drain some fluid out yourself at home, this will not remove the cyst sac, meaning it will likely reoccur. Furthermore, aggravated cysts can rupture, become infected or inflamed, or the skin could heal with extensive scarring.
What are the Benefits of Removing a Cyst Professionally?
An entirely excised cyst can benefit those suffering from pain, limited mobility, or self-consciousness, particularly if the lesion is unsightly. Excising a cyst minimises the risk of potential infection or further complications that could arise from ruptures or inflammation.
Additionally, cysts are sent for lab analysis to help identify the presence of underlying health issues. While most cysts are generally benign (non-cancerous), they can indicate more serious conditions, which may go unnoticed without expert attention.
Once you’ve rested and allowed the excision site to heal, the skin is more likely to heal with minimal scarring and a good cosmetic result.
Types of Cysts
- Pilar Cysts:
Pilar cysts (also referred to as scalp cysts or trichilemmal cysts) are a slow build-up of keratin within the hair follicle lining. These cysts regularly run in families; if a parent has had a pilar cyst, there is a 1 in 2 likelihood that the child will develop it also. Keratin is a protein that makes up our hair, skin, and nails. Hence, these cysts are commonly found on the scalp or scrotum.While scalp cysts are generally painless and don’t pose a severe health risk, they can be tender if they become aggravated or infected.
- Epidermoid Cysts:
An epidermoid cyst (also known as a sebaceous cyst) generally forms because of a blocked hair follicle in the pilosebaceous unit and sebaceous gland. They are frequently found on the chest, back, face, and neck; however, they can develop anywhere on the body’s epidermis. They consist of keratin and present as small yellow-pus-filled bumps under the skin. Epidermoid cysts are benign, and if extracted properly, they don’t cause long-term health issues.
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