Cyst Removal

These are small, benign bumps filled with the protein keratin. If a person has sustained trauma around a hair follicle within the skin, an epidermoid cyst may develop.

If part of the top layer of your skin, called the epidermis, grows deeper instead of moving outward toward the surface to eventually be shed off, an epidermoid cyst will have a chance to form. In rare cases, this type of cyst can be caused by an inherited condition called Gardner’s syndrome.

Sebaceous cysts fill with sebum and often form within sebaceous glands which make oil for the skin and hair. Ruptured or blocked sebaceous glands can lead to sebaceous cysts.

These are less common than epidermoid cysts. 

These are benign cysts that can develop in the breasts when fluid collects near the breast glands. This can cause pain or tenderness.

Breast cysts commonly occur in the breast tissue of women in their 30s and 40s.

Ganglion cysts usually form near the joints in the wrist or hand, but can also be found in the feet or ankle areas. They tend to develop along a tendon sheath near a joint and are more common in women than men. It is not known what causes these benign cysts. 

These cysts are usually filled with skin debris, body oils, hair and other matter and appear near the top part of the buttocks. They can develop when loose hair becomes embedded in the skin. Pilonidal cysts are more commonly found in men rather than women.

Chronic infections in these cysts might increase the risk of a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. 

Ovarian cysts often form when the follicle that normally releases an egg doesn’t open, causing a build-up of fluid to form a cyst. Ovarian cysts can also develop if the follicle releases the egg and doesn’t close properly, therefore collecting fluid. Most ovarian cysts occur naturally and go away in a few months without needing any treatment. An ovarian cyst usually only causes symptoms if it splits (ruptures), is very large or blocks the blood supply to the ovaries. If this happens, seek urgent medical advice.

Ovarian cysts occur most often in people who are still menstruating. Ovarian cysts are associated with an increased risk of cancer when they occur after menopause.

A Baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled cyst that forms at the back of the knee. Injury or arthritis are common causes of this type of cyst. This can limit mobility and cause pain.

Pilar cysts are skin-coloured, benign lumps that form on the skin’s surface. They are not cancerous, but they can grow to a size that can cause a person discomfort.

It is not always necessary for this type of cyst to be removed, but they are often removed purely for cosmetic reasons.

A mucous cyst is a fluid-filled lump that forms on the lip or around the mouth area, occurring when the salivary glands become clogged with mucus. The most common causes of mucous cysts include lip or cheek biting, poor dental hygiene or lip piercings. 

These cysts often go away on their own, but if they reoccur, they may require medical treatment.

Branchial cleft cysts look like a large skin tag and develop on an infant’s neck or below the collarbone. Surgical removal is often recommended to prevent the cyst from becoming infected.

A perineural cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the spine. Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Any symptoms can be relieved by draining the fluid from the cyst.

Chalazia are benign growths that develop on the eyelids when an oil gland becomes blocked. These can cause pain and tenderness and sometimes lead to vision problems. In these cases, treatment is recommended.

Cystic acne is caused by a combination of bacteria, oil, and dead skin clogging the pores. This can look like large, pus-filled boils on the skin, which may be painful to touch. Luckily this type of acne usually improves with age.

Folliculitis is an inflammatory and usually infectious condition caused by hair growing into the skin. This is usually caused by hair removal methods such as waxing or shaving. Medical treatment is not usually required, but it is advisable to seek help if the cyst has become infected.