At our CQC-registered dermatology clinic, our consultant dermatologist-led team diagnoses and removes cysts under local anaesthetic. Patients travel to us from across Kent, including Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover and Deal, for an accurate diagnosis and, where wanted, complete removal with histology included.
About the Condition
A sebaceous cyst is a lump that forms under the skin, most often on the scalp, face, neck, back or trunk. Despite the name, most are actually epidermoid or pilar cysts, filled with keratin rather than the oily substance made by sebaceous glands, although “sebaceous cyst” remains the term most people use.
Common features include:
- A round, smooth lump just under the skin that moves when touched
- A small central pore sometimes visible on the surface
- Occasional thick discharge if the cyst empties
- Redness, pain or swelling if the cyst becomes infected
- Slow growth over months or years
Cysts form when skin cells or keratin become trapped beneath the surface, sometimes after a blocked hair follicle or minor skin injury. They tend to grow slowly and are not cancerous.
Because several different lumps can look similar, including lipomas and, very occasionally, other skin growths, an accurate diagnosis from a dermatology specialist is worthwhile. It confirms what the lump is and whether it needs treatment at all, and it means any procedure is planned around the right diagnosis. Cysts on the face or scalp, or those that have been infected before, are worth mentioning at your appointment so that we can plan carefully.
How We Treat It
A cyst that causes no problems can simply be left alone. Removal is generally recommended if it becomes painful, is repeatedly infected, or is growing steadily. Our team can also remove lipomas and other benign lumps, so please ask if you have one you would like assessed.
Cyst removal takes out the entire cyst wall under local anaesthetic, which reduces the chance of the cyst returning. Draining a cyst alone does not remove the wall, which is why complete surgical removal is usually preferred. If a cyst is actively infected, the infection is usually settled first, with full removal planned once things have calmed down. Removed tissue is sent for histology as standard, and the cost is included. You can return home the same day. If you are unsure whether a lump is a cyst, a Dermatology Consultation is the place to start, and our skin tags page covers other small growths.
When to See a Specialist
It is worth having any new or growing lump assessed, particularly if it becomes painful, red or repeatedly infected. A cyst that is red, hot, swollen and increasingly painful may be infected and is best seen promptly.
Book a consultation if you would like to confirm what a lump is, or if a cyst is causing discomfort or affecting your confidence. Please seek prompt medical advice if you feel unwell or have a fever alongside a swollen, painful lump, or if redness is spreading quickly, and call us for a swift appointment. Lumps that grow rapidly, bleed or change in appearance should always be checked without delay.
Further reading: NHS – Skin cyst · DermNet – Epidermoid cyst · British Association of Dermatologists
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sebaceous cysts need to be removed?
Not always. Many are left alone if they are not causing problems. Removal is generally recommended if the cyst is painful, keeps becoming infected or is growing.
Is it safe to squeeze a sebaceous cyst?
No, this is best avoided. Squeezing can push the contents into the surrounding tissue and increase the chance of infection, and it will not remove the cyst wall itself.
Can a sebaceous cyst come back after removal?
If the entire cyst wall is removed, recurrence at that site is uncommon. This is why complete surgical removal is recommended over simply draining a cyst. Individual results vary.
Are sebaceous cysts cancerous?
No, they are benign. Very occasionally a lump that looks like a cyst turns out to be something else, which is one reason a proper assessment is worthwhile.
How is an infected cyst treated?
An actively infected cyst is often treated first with drainage or antibiotics to settle the inflammation, with full surgical removal planned once things have calmed down.
Will I need to be referred by my GP?
No. You can book directly with us. Consultant Dermatologist appointments are booked by phone or email so that we can check whether you are insured or self-funding, and we accept all major private medical insurers.
Get your concern assessed
First step
Consultant Dermatologist £300
Appointment
30 minutes
Availability
Usually within 1 to 2 weeks
Consultant Dermatologist appointments are booked by phone or email, so we can check whether you are insured or self-funding.
Treatments for sebaceous cyst
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