Different area and different type of cyst have different symptoms. Like:

• A small, round bump under the skin,
• Some have tiny blackhead plugging the central opening of the cyst,
• A thick, yellow, smelly material,
• Usually painless,
• But some are redness, swelling and tenderness in the area, if inflamed or infected,
• Etc.

Some of the cells in the top layer of skin produce keratin, a protein that gives skin its strength and flexibility. Normally, these cells move up to the surface of the skin as they start to die, so they can be shed.

However, the cells sometimes move deeper into skin and multiply, forming a sac. They secrete keratin into the middle of the sac, which forms a thick, yellow paste. This can ooze out of the cyst if it’s burst.

Anyone can develop a skin cyst, but more likely to have in puberty, with a history of acne, or injured the skin – for example, if have damaged a hair follicle.

Usually leave a cyst alone if it doesn’t cause discomfort or cosmetic problems. If seek treatment, talk with a doctor about these options:

• In some cases, cysts go away on their own. Putting a warm compress on a cyst can speed up the healing process by helping it drain.

• Injection: This treatment involves injecting the cyst with a steroid (cortisone) that reduces swelling and inflammation.
• Incision and drainage: With this method, a small cut in the cyst and gently squeezes out the contents. This is a fairly quick and easy method, but cysts may recur after this treatment.
• Minor surgery: Remove the entire cyst by minor surgery. Minor surgery is safe and effective and usually prevents cysts from recurring.
• Infection: Incase of infection and after surgery, may need an antibiotic coverage.
• Laser therapy is one of the option.

Most cysts don’t cause problems or need treatment. Schedule an appointment with a doctor if cyst becomes very painful or red. This could be a sign of a rupture or an infection. Visit a doctor if have one or more of the following points:

• Embarrassing or discomfort,
• Grows rapidly,
• Ruptures or becomes painful or infected,
• Occurs in a spot that’s constantly irritated,
• Bothers cosmetic reasons,
• Is in an unusual location, such as a finger and toe.

• Roxburgh’s common skin diseases