Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health Sebaceous Cysts: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment These lumps usually disappear on their own but can get infected By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 07, 2023 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Sebaceous cysts are soft skin-colored lumps that slowly grow under the skin. They are filled with a thick, oily substance that may drain out. Painless and otherwise harmless, sebaceous cysts can sometimes get infected. It is unknown what exactly causes sebaceous cysts. Sebaceous cysts can be easily moved under the skin. While they can pop up anywhere on the body, they are commonly found on the head, back of the ears, neck, and trunk. jarabee123 / Getty Images Some genetic disorders like Gardner's syndrome may predispose you to sebaceous cysts. They are more common in adults than in children. This article looks at the symptoms of sebaceous cysts, how they're diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. It also discusses when sebaceous cyst removal is needed and how it's done. What Is a Cyst? A cyst is a pouch-like tissue sac filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid substances like keratin. There are many types of cysts. Some, like sebaceous cysts, occur underneath the skin. Others form inside the body, such as on the kidneys or in the breast. Sebaceous Cyst Symptoms Sebaceous cysts have several notable features. They: Are soft lumps or bumpsGrow slowly just under the skinAre typically painlessUsually have a visible hole in the middle called a central punctumMove freely when touched Some sebaceous cysts stay the same size over time, while others get bigger. That can get uncomfortable or painful, especially if they're inflamed. Sebaceous cysts can also become inflamed. If they do, you may notice: RednessTendernessWarmth in the skin over the cyst What's Inside a Sebaceous Cyst? Sebaceous cysts are filled with a mix of dead skin cells and keratin, a protein that's in your hair, skin, nails, glands, and internal organs. If a sebaceous cyst breaks open, you'll see keratin ooze out. It looks "pasty" or "cheesy" and may have a foul odor. Infected sebaceous cysts may also may be filled with pus. Given their name, it's easy to think that sebaceous cysts instead contain sebum (oily substance), which comes from sebaceous glands. That is not the case. True sebaceous cysts originate from the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). Their true name is epidermoid cyst, but many people—even healthcare providers—still use the term sebaceous cyst. Diagnosis This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Cyst of a sebaceous gland on the scalp. Lester V. Bergman / Getty Images Many healthcare providers can diagnose sebaceous cysts on sight. In some cases, they may order a biopsy or skin culture to rule out similar conditions. Things that may look like a sebaceous cyst include: Abscess: A collection of pus underneath the skin. Lipoma: A noncancerous mass of fatty tissue. Don't try to diagnose yourself. See a healthcare provider so you know for sure what it is. Sebaceous Cyst Treatment There are no proven or reliable ways to dissolve a sebaceous cyst naturally. If a sebaceous cyst is inflamed and bothersome, steroid injections into the cyst can be used to calm and shrink it. You should never try to pop or drain a sebaceous cyst yourself, as this can cause infection. It's OK if they drain on their own, however. If a sebaceous cyst ends up becoming infected, a healthcare practitioner will open and drain it using sterile tools. They may numb area ahead of time, often with the drug lidocaine, to minimize pain. Infection from a sebaceous cyst can spread to the surrounding skin. This is called cellulitis, and it's a more serious condition. You may need an oral antibiotic plus incision and drainage. Cellulitis that does not respond to medication can also turn into necrotizing fasciitis, which is often referred to a flesh-eating disease. You can avoid these more serious outcomes by getting infected cysts treated right away. When Surgery Is Needed Sometimes sebaceous cysts grow large enough to interfere with your daily life. These may need to be removed. This is typically performed via a small incision at the dermatologist's office using local anesthesia. Your healthcare provider will probably wait until your cyst isn't inflamed or infected to move ahead with surgical removal. This can keep the cyst from coming back. Sebaceous Cyst Removal Recovery Sebaceous cyst removal is minimally invasive, so recovery tends to be fairly straightforward. Recovery becomes more complicated and prolonged if the site of the removed sebaceous cyst becomes infected. Otherwise, the length of your recovery from a sebaceous cyst removal depends on the size of your sebaceous cyst and how it is removed. If the cyst is surgically removed and there is an open wound, it can take several weeks for the wound to heal. You may or may not have stitches that will need to be taken out as well. While incision and drainage takes less time to heal from—typically about a week—there is a high chance that the sebaceous cyst may recur, thus requiring further treatment and recovery. How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Sebaceous Cyst? Benign (non-cancerous) sebaceous cysts that do not threaten your health or function are considered cosmetic by many insurance providers, including Medicare. When sebaceous cyst removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, these insurers will not cover it. Without health insurance, sebaceous cyst removal may cost a few hundred dollars. Summary Sebaceous cysts are bumps just under the skin. They're full of keratin. Despite the name, they don't contain sebum. They can usually be diagnosed on sight. Biopsies can rule out similar problems, if needed. Treatments can involve steroid injections, drainage, or surgical removal. A Word From Verywell It's important to see your healthcare provider any time you notice a growth, bump, or lump on your body. Sebaceous cysts aren't generally harmful. Still, your provider can make sure the bump isn't something more serious. Frequently Asked Questions Will squeezing a sebaceous cyst get rid of it? No, it will not. It will simply drain the contents but leave the sack in place. As long as there is a sack, it will refill. If a sebaceous cyst gets bothersome or infected, your healthcare provider may:Inject it with steroidsDrain itRemove it surgically How can I get rid of a sebaceous cyst on my own? If it's small and doesn't hurt—which is common—it's best to leave it alone. If it contains pus or is painful, hold a warm, damp cloth on it. That'll encourage it to open and drain. What sort of healthcare provider should I go to for a sebaceous cyst? See a dermatologist. That's a skin specialist who can correctly diagnose and treat a sebaceous cyst. Is there a cream for sebaceous cysts? There are no over-the-counter or prescription creams for getting rid of sebaceous cysts. You may need to be prescribed an oral antibiotic if your cyst becomes infected. Otherwise, sebaceous cysts can only be drained or removed by a healthcare provider. 13 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Islam MN, Sobhan MA, Rahman AM, Rahman MS, Hossain MS, Fatema NE. Management of infected sebaceous cyst by suture closure: A new approach. Mymensingh Med J. 2017;26(4):828-830. NIH MedlinePlus. Epidermoid cyst. UC San Diego Health, Health Library. Epidermoid cysts of the skin. Hoang VT, Trinh CT, Nguyen CH, Chansomphou V, Chansomphou V, Tran TTT. Overview of epidermoid cyst. European Journal of Radiology Open. 2019;6:291-301. doi:10.1016/j.ejro.2019.08.003 Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Cysts (overview). Hardin A, Corn J. Naturopathic treatment of an inflamed epidermoid cyst: A case report. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020;19(6):32-35. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sebaceous cysts. Cedars Sinai. Epidermoid cysts of the skin. Priyadharshini G, Varghese RG, Phansalkar M, Ramdas A, K A, G T. Subcutaneous fungal cyst masquerading as benign lesions - a series of eight cases. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(10):EM01-EM4. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/14157.6637 Bosman WM, Brekelmans W, Verduijn PS, Borger van der Burg BL, Ritchie ED. Necrotising fasciitis due to an infected sebaceous cyst. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;2014:bcr2013201905. doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-201905 Chen B, Lu H, Ren C, et al. Excision of sebaceous cyst by intraoral approach: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(49):e8803. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008803 CMS.gov. Removal of benign skin lesions. American Academy of Dermatology. What Is a dermatologist? Additional Reading Higgins JC, Maher MH, Douglas MS. Diagnosing common benign skin tumors. Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(7):601-07. UpToDate. Overview of Benign Lesions of the Skin. By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit