Cysts Sebaceous Hampshire UK

• Cysts are caused by blocked pores that cause a lump in the skin

• At the Wessex Skin Clinic, you will be treated by Dr Fairris, who is one of the UK's leading Consultant Dermatologists. He has been successfully treating cysts since the 1980s.

What are cysts?

Cysts are sacks of keratin underneath the skin. If not removed surgically, they tend to grow or become infected.

What causes cysts?

Cysts are caused by a blocked skin pore. The tendency for pores to become blocked can run in the family.

What happens if cysts are not treated?

Cysts tend to grow slowly over a few years. If they become infected, they become red and painful. At this stage they often burst or require emergency surgery.  This will leave a cavity in the skin that takes some weeks to heal. 

What types of cysts are there?

Although the term 'Sebaceous Cyst' is commonly used, the sebaceous cyst is in fact a rarity. Most are either pilar cysts or epidermoid cysts.

Pilar cysts

Pilar cysts appear on the scalp. They grow slowly, often hurt when knocked but rarely become infected. Very occasionally, they will ulcerate through the skin.

Epidermoid cysts

Epidermoid cysts grow on the back, on the trunk and to a lesser extent on the limbs.

They grow slowly but are prone to infection. The earlier they are removed, the smaller the scar and the less chance they have of getting infected.

Recurrences after surgery are not uncommon in inexperienced hands.

How can cysts be treated?

Cysts are removed surgically under local anaesthetic.

Pilar cysts can be removed without shaving any hair.

It is easier to remove epidermoid cysts before they become infected. Some cysts recur after surgery, especially if the blocked pore that caused the cyst to form is not removed.