SEBACEOUS CYSTS
ANATOMY
The skin is lined with hairs to help keep us warm and protected and help with sensation. Sometimes these hair follicles can become ingrown and result in a cavity beneath the skin that can produce hair material and oil and result in a cyst. The cyst can create sebum and expand. Sometimes these cysts can become infected and results in problems. In some cases antibiotics can be given to help control the infection but once an infection results often cysts can become chronically infected and be a problem.
TREATMENT
Surgery is often needed to help remove these cysts. Fortunately, this type of procedure can be done sterilely in our office with local anesthetic to help numb the area prior to the cyst being removed. Usually the area can be freed out and in most cases if there is no infection the skin can be closed with stitches. If the cyst is infected or if there is a skin infection usually the area is incised at the skin to allow the pus to drain out so it will not continue to collect. Once an abscess or collection of pus is formed, antibiotics cannot help the body cure this and the pus needs to drain out for the antibiotics to work appropriately. In the case of infection, the skin cannot be closed or the risk of a recurrent infection grows. The open wound is packed with gauze to keep the skin edges apart and prevent another cavity or abscess from reforming. The packing allows the base of the wound to slowly granulate and close from the bottom up. Wounds can take days to weeks to ultimately close up. Most of the time they will heal with adequate nutrition, antibiotics, and good wound care.
This procedure can be performed by any the surgeons in our office at Regional Surgical Specialists. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 828-252-3366.
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