What causes cysts?
Cysts are common, and they usually aren’t a cause for concern. Some cysts are genetic, some occur due to an infection or irritation of the skin, and some result from blocked sebaceous glands.
Cysts can be solid, semi-solid, or filled with liquid or pus. Left untreated, a cyst might go away on its own. It also might stay the same size, grow, or become irritated or itchy.
The lump on under your skin might also be a lipoma, a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. These lumps often occur in middle-aged people and are non-cancerous.
No treatment is usually necessary for a lipoma, but if it is bothersome or painful to you, the following may be options:
Surgical removal
Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising. A technique known as minimal excision extraction may result in less scarring.
Liposuction
This treatment uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty lump.
Are cysts dangerous?
If you find a cyst, fear and worry are normal. While most cysts are not cancerous, some may be precancerous: They could develop into cancer if left untreated. Dr. Perri will assess the size, texture, shape, color, and density of your cyst; and in most cases, he can tell if a cyst is a cause for concern just by looking at it.
While good skin hygiene may help prevent cysts, you may not be able to treat a cyst on your own, and a cyst excision procedure may be a good option. If you decide to have your cyst removed, Dr. Perri will ensure you are comfortable and safe throughout the entire procedure.
How are cysts removed?
First, Dr. Perri examines your cyst and the surrounding skin. After determining how much or what part of the skin needs to be removed, Dr. Perri numbs the area with a topical anesthetic. He then makes a careful incision, extracts the cyst, then finally stitches up the removal site and covers it with a bandage.
The entire cyst removal procedure generally takes less than an hour.
Before you leave the office, Dr. Perri provides you with aftercare instructions that detail how to clean and care for the treated area. He may also prescribe you an antibiotic to help speed up the healing process and prevent other cysts from developing.
If you’re interested in having a cyst removed, call Dr. Perri at Perri Skin Care or request a consultation online.
