Sebaceous Cysts Demystified: Signs, Causes and Treatment Options to Consider

Sebaceous cysts, often known as steatocystomas, are lesions linked to sebum glands that are present in skin and hair. Sebum, a hormone produced in sebum glands, covers the skin and hair is not produced when the sebum glands are damaged and obstructed, leading to a condition called sebaceous cyst. Local trauma may be the cause of this obstruction or injury. These cysts can develop as steatocystoma simplex, which is a single lesion, or steatocystoma multiplex, which is a group of lesions. This blog delivers information on a condition called sebaceous cysts, along with its symptoms, causes and treatment methods.  

What is a sebaceous cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a fluid-filled pocket caused under the surface of the skin. It looks like a lump or bump on the skin. Epidermal inclusion cysts are frequently referred to as sebaceous cysts. The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that keeps the skin hydrated. Rather, the component that fills epidermal inclusion cysts is keratin and cell debris. The majority of medical professionals exclusively refer to sebaceous cysts in relation to the skin ailment known as steatocystoma multiplex. This disorder causes cysts to form, which are actually sebaceous cysts since they fill with sebum. Epidermal inclusion cysts are more prevalent than true sebaceous cysts. It causes a round bump or dome-shaped lump with a dark dot in the centre. It is warm and tender to touch and can move easily. The cysts are filled with keratin and cell debris, which looks thick and yellow with a foul odour.  

What are the symptoms of a sebaceous cyst?

An epidermal inclusion cyst is typically asymptomatic and does not have any symptoms. The cyst may occasionally expand and feel sensitive to touch. If the cyst bursts as it expands, you might feel discomfort and irritation on the skin. At the location of an epidermal inclusion cyst, you may occasionally suffer itching. The cysts usually form anywhere on the body, especially in the face, chest, back, scalp, neck, legs, arms and genitals. The common symptoms include:

• Skin Irritation
• Bumps on the surface of the skin
• Skin infection
• Itching  

What are the causes of sebaceous cysts?

A blockage at the follicular infundibulum (the upper portion of a hair follicle) is a hole in your skin where hair grows out, resulting in the formation of epidermal inclusion cysts.  
When skin cells approach the end of their life cycle, your body naturally loses them. Skin conditions like acne or persistent UV exposure, as well as injuries like scratches and surgical wounds, can interfere with the way your skin cells leave your body. This causes these cells and other substances, such as keratin, to become trapped and accumulate beneath the skin’s surface. This is the formation of a cyst. A cyst may also develop on parts of your body without hair follicles following a skin lesion or trauma. The skin cells are forced into the second layer beneath the epidermis by the injury. As a result, keratin gathers in the pocket and forms a cyst.  

What are the risk factors for epidermal inclusion cysts?

The most common age range for epidermal inclusion cysts is between twenty and sixty years old, while they can develop at any age. Seldom do epidermal inclusion cysts develop prior to puberty. Those who were assigned male at birth are more likely to have them than those who were assigned female at birth. Multiple epidermal inclusion cyst formation is caused by a few uncommon hereditary diseases as well as other conditions, such as:

• Gardner syndrome
• Gorlin syndrome
• Human papillomavirus infection
• Favre-Racouchot syndrome

What is the treatment for sebaceous cysts?

If there are no symptoms, a doctor may often advise keeping an eye on the epidermal inclusion cyst and not treating it. To lessen the symptoms at home, apply a warm compress to the cyst if it swells and causes discomfort. Get in touch with the professionals if the symptoms get worse or persist. To temporarily lessen the swelling, they can advise removing it or administering a steroid injection into the cyst. An infected or inflammatory epidermal inclusion cyst can be treated with antibiotics.  

Conclusion

To conclude, a sebaceous cyst is a strange round bump beneath the skin surface, which is formed when the skin cells pile up in one area under the dermis. They are the keratin-like substance and can appear anywhere on the body. It is developed due to skin injuries, blockages in hair follicles or congenital factors. It can be treated using antibiotics and other medications to lessen the pain and infections.