Skin Cyst Removal, Signs and Causes

March 1, 2021

The two most common skin cysts are epidermoid cysts and sebaceous cysts. Typically harmless, cysts are bumps that show up under the skin. In this article, we will go through what exactly are epidermoid and sebaceous cysts, what are the causes, and treatment options for cyst removal by a dermatologist.

What are epidermoid cysts?

A cyst is a benign (non cancerous), round, dome-shaped bump that contains fluid or other material. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most common on the face, neck, and trunk (e.g chest and shoulders). They are also common on the scrotum and vulva.

Credit: DermNet NZ

What are sebaceous cysts?

Unlike epidermoid cysts which originate from the skin, true sebaceous cysts are rare and originate form the sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous cysts can be found over you entire body, except for the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. When squeezed, a small dome shaped projection called a punctum will appear. Through that opening, the sebum may be squeezed out.

Signs of an epidermoid cysts include:

A small blackhead on the opening of the cyst
A thick, smelly yellow material that may drain from the cyst
Often has a diameter of 1-3cm

Credit: DermNet NZ

Rupture of the contents of the cyst can lead to swelling, redness, and tenderness. This can occur from bacterial infection such as Staph.A, E.Coli, or from trauma.

Inflamed cyst
Credit: DermNet NZ

Other names for epidermoid cysts:

Epidermal cysts
Keratin cysts
Sebaceous cysts (commonly mistakenly identified as these cysts do not involve sebaceous glands)

What causes an epidermoid cyst?

The epidermis – top layer of your skin – is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that your body sheds continuously. Most epidermoid cysts form when these cells move into the deeper layers of your skin and multiply rather than shed. This causes a buildup of keratin in the skin, developing into cysts.

Sometimes, the epidermoid cysts can form due to irritation or trauma to the skin, or a portion of the hair follicle. The epidermal cells are the walls of the cysts which secrete the protein keratin into the interior. The keratin is the thick, yellowish substance that sometimes drains from the cyst.

What causes a sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous cysts come from your sebaceous glands. Cysts can develop if the gland gets damaged, or the passage through which sebum leaves the skin is blocked. This usually occurs because of some sort of trauma in the area such as a scratch, surgical wound, or skin condition like acne.

Who gets epidermoid cysts?

Epidermoid cysts occur most commonly in adults, especially when young to middle aged. Additionally, they also occur twice as more frequently in men. Injuring the skin can also lead to development of epidermoid cysts.

Having certain rare genetic disorders may also increase the risk of developing epidermoid cysts:

Gardner syndrome
Basal cell naevus syndrome
Pachyonychia congenita type 2

Epidermoid cysts vs sebaceous cysts

Many refer to epidermoid cysts as sebaceous cysts, but they are different. True sebaceous cysts are much less common. Sebaceous cysts start in the sebaceous gland. This is an oil gland in the skin that secretes oil, or sebum that lubricates the skin and hair.

What are the options for cyst removal?

Most epidermal cysts are slow growing and painless, so they don’t usually need treatment. However, if the cyst grows rapidly, ruptures or becomes painful, bothers you for cosmetic reasons, or occurs in a spot that causes irritation, you can see a skin specialist to have perform an epidermoid cyst removal.

Talk to your dermatologist about these options:

Injection: this involves injecting the cyst with a steroid that reduces inflammation and swelling.
Incision and drainage: Your dermatologist will make a small cut in the cyst, and gently squeeze out the contents. While this method is fairly quick and easy, cysts tend to recur after this treatment.
Complete surgical excision: The most effective treatment for is a a complete epidermal cyst removal. Your doctor will remove the entire cyst with an intact cyst capsule. This is done through minor surgery in which you need to return to have stitches removed.

Looking for cyst removal procedures in Singapore? Book a TeleConsultation with MOH accredited dermatologist, Dr. Teo Wan Lin, to have your condition addressed. Click on bottom left button to contact us or simply click here to book an appointment now.

Tags: ~All Topics, Acne, Cysts

Genital Warts Treatment, Symptoms, and Causes

February 17, 2021

Genital warts are warts that appear on the genital area. In this article, we go through the causes, symptoms, and common genital warts treatment.

What are genital warts?

Also known as anogenital warts, or condylomata acuminata, they usually appear as raised lesions that develop on the skin. They can be flesh-colored, light and pearly, or darker in color. The most common signs are small, scattered bumps, a cluster of bumps that resemble cauliflower, or growths in the genital area that can be raised or flat and smooth.

They are usually painless, but sometimes they can itch, burn or bleed. In men, these warts can be found on the scrotum, shaft of the penis, or even on the thigh. On women, they may be found on the vulva, in the vagina, and on the cervix. Oral sex can result in warts in or around the mouth, on the tongue and gums, in the mouth.

Genital warts treatment — Credit: American Academy of Dermatology Association

What are the causes of genital warts?

The warts are caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that are highly contagious. Anyone who has sex can get HPV, and it is very common. At least half of people who have sex has had an HPV infection, and is most common before the age of 30.

However, not everyone who gets an HPV infection gets genital warts. Most never get these warts because their immune system can fight off the virus. Nonetheless, those with a weakened immune system may not be able to fight the virus, and can develop warts.

Genital warts spread from one individual to another through sex (vaginal, oral, anal), genital contact, or childbirth (mother to child).

Who is at risk of genital warts?

Individuals who have unprotected sex, have multiple partners, or who start having sex at a younger age are at increased risk of being infected with HPV and developing genital warts. It is most common in those under 30 years old.

Genital Warts Treatment

How dermatologists diagnose and treat genital warts?

While some genital warts can clear without treatment, removing the warts can lower the risk of virus spread, helps to relieve pain and itching, or can aid in easier cleaning.

If you want to treat your genital wart, it is best to see an accredited dermatologist. Do not buy an over-the-counter wart treatment that is sold without a prescription, these treat different types of warts.

Topical Genital Warts Treatment:

Often dermatologists will prescribe medications that you can apply yourself at home. These include Podofilox for external warts to stop them from growing, Imiquimod to boost the body’s immune system to fight against HPV or other prescription medicines.

Genital Warts Treatment Procedures:

A skin specialist may perform one of these procedures during a clinic visit:

Laser treatment (removing the warts with laser light)
Excision (cutting off the warts)
Cryosurgery (freezing off the warts with liquid nitrogen)

Liquid Nitrogen for Cryosurgery of Genital Warts — Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen at –196°C to freeze off warts

Treatment can remove the warts that is seen externally, but it may not fully get rid of the virus. If the virus remains, the wart can return. If you still have the virus, you can still spread it through sex. Wearing a condom can prevent the risk of spreading and catching the virus during sex.

Genital Warts Prevention

HPV Vaccine

There are 2 types of HPV vaccines available. One of them is “quadrivalent”, this means that it can protect against 4 types of HPV. This vaccine can protect against the HPV virus that causes genital warts. This vaccine requires 3 shots to be fully vaccinated. Get all three shots before you first sexual encounter for it to be the most effective.

Use a condom during sex

Wearing a condom during sex can help reduce the risk of getting genital warts. However, condoms do not cover all the skin in the genital area, hence it is not a full-proof way of protection.

Be candid and open with your sexual partners

Before having sexual activity with your partner for the first time, talk honestly about sexually transmitted infections (STI), and check whether or not you or your partner has had or has any STIs, including HPV.

Have a genital wart concern? Book a TeleConsultation, with MOH accredited dermatologist, Dr. Teo Wan Lin, to have your condition addressed. Click on bottom left button to contact us or simply click here to book an appointment now.

Tags: ~All Topics, Dermatology, Warts