While cysts are often painless and asymptomatic causing only cosmetic concerns, they can cause problems such as:
- Becoming traumatised and inflamed causing pain.
- Becoming infected can cause pain, fevers, and require antibiotics.
- Rupturing with foul-smelling discharge causing embarrassment.
These symptoms can happen repeatedly and as a result, many decide to have their cyst removed. It’s not as simple as squeezing out the discharge, cysts contain a sac that needs to be entirely removed in order for it not to repeatedly grow back.
You can rest assured that the qualified team of dermatologists at Skintel have extensive experience with cyst removal. Cysts tend to have a high recurrence rate, however, our team of dermatologists takes pride in their very low recurrence rate while delivering a good cosmetic result that our clients can be happy with.
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is a ball-like sac and, depending on the location, size, and type, is filled with fluid or semi-solid material. Cysts are typically found beneath the skin’s surface, within bodily tissue, or in organs such as the ovaries or kidneys.
At times a cyst can be quite painful, and although the majority of cysts beneath the skin are benign and painless, it is always advised to visit your doctor for a specialist opinion when you become concerned.
Types of Cysts
Although there are a wide variety of cysts, the two that are most commonly found beneath the surface of the skin are epidermoid and trichilemmal (pilar) cysts.
Epidermoid Cysts
Epidermoid cysts are located directly beneath the skin’s outermost layer, known as the epidermis. While they can occur anywhere, they are commonly found around the face, neck, back, and chest. They develop from a blocked pilosebaceous unit (hair follicle and sebaceous gland) and often have a central punctum. They are normally slow-growing bumps filled with a yellow pus-like substance. Epidermoid cysts are benign and typically do not cause adverse long-term health impacts.
Epidermoid cysts are commonly referred to as sebaceous cysts.
Trichilemmal (pilar) Cysts
Pilar cysts can appear anywhere on the body but are most likely found on the scalp and scrotum. They are caused by a slow build-up of keratin in the hair follicle lining. They typically run in families and are most common in middle-aged women. Unlike epidermoid cysts, they do not have a central punctum.
Cyst Removal at Skintel
Your Skintel dermatologist will discuss with you the best course of action regarding your cyst removal. This will take into consideration the location, size, and type of cyst as well as any symptoms it is causing. During this discussion, your dermatologist will also consider your thoughts and preferences before discussing your options. You will have ample opportunity to ask questions and we will do our best to answer any queries you have. We will keep you informed and ensure the process is as straightforward and comfortable as possible.
Although the primary focus is on the safe and effective removal of your cyst as a whole, our dermatologists also enjoy providing our clients with outstanding cosmetic results.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions regarding cyst removal in Auckland, feel free to consult the list of frequently asked questions below or contact our friendly team.
Does it hurt to remove a cyst?
Prior to the cyst removal, your care team will administer local anaesthetic to the required area in order to numb the area around the cyst. While the administration of local anaesthetic may sting a little, the goal is to ensure the rest of the procedure is pain-free.
Additionally, our staff may recommend some over-the-counter pain medication following cyst removal.
Is cyst removal considered invasive surgery?
It depends on the type, size, and/or location of the cyst, but cyst removal surgery is generally considered very straightforward and minimally invasive. The recovery time is also generally quick and uncomplicated.
Can I remove a cyst at home?
No, we strongly recommend that you don’t attempt to remove cysts at home. While you may be able to extract some material from the cyst, there is a risk of causing infection and it is unlikely that you will successfully remove the cyst completely. This means that the cyst is likely to repeatedly fill up.
If you are concerned about your cyst, we recommend that you seek specialist help from a health professional. At Skintel, our dermatologists will examine your cyst and discuss your best options for treatment or cyst removal and/or treatment.
Is cyst removal covered by medical insurance?
Yes, in most cases cyst removal will be covered by medical insurance policies.
However, some medical insurance companies will decline coverage. This may occur, if your policy has specific exclusions or if your cyst is considered a pre-existing condition. As a result, we recommend that you check your specific policy.
If you wish to proceed with cyst removal, we will help you obtain pre-approval prior to the surgery so that you know whether or not your insurance company will cover the surgery.
