Dermapen
Schema of a sebaceous cyst
There is a bag under the skin, and smelly dirt accumulates inside the bag.
Imagine your navel closing and being buried under your body. Dirt called sesame accumulates in your navel. This is old skin that has peeled off. Normally, you can wash it off in the bath and it will become clean. However, if your navel is buried under the skin and the opening is blocked, dirt will accumulate and it will start to smell bad. This is a sebaceous cyst. It can appear anywhere on your body and is very troublesome. According to the website of the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a sebaceous cyst is "a mass formed when the epithelial components of the skin (epidermis and outer hair root sheath) fall into or under the skin to form a sac, in which gruel-like dirt and sebum accumulate."
Diagram of a sebaceous cyst: It looks like the "navel opening is blocked." Dirt accumulates inside the cyst, and when you press it, a smelly substance comes out of the small hole (opening). It is best to have it surgically removed while it is still small and before it swells up.
Inflammatory atheroma on the anterior chest
This is a sebaceous cyst about 3cm in size that has appeared on my chest (the swollen area is circled with a ballpoint pen). It is slightly red and inflamed.
The patient had had a lump in his throat for several years, but three days ago he began to feel a tingling, uncomfortable sensation, so he came to see us.
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Characteristics of sebaceous cysts
- It is a skin growth or lump that grows larger if left untreated.
- A lump is a buildup of dirt inside a bag.
- There may be a bad smell
- It may become red, swollen and painful
- There is no cure without surgery
>> 1. What is a sebaceous cyst? Causes and early symptoms
>> 2. People who are prone to developing cysts
>> 3. Scar cysts rarely heal naturally
>> 4. It's starting to hurt. This means that the cyst has been left untreated until it becomes inflamed.
>> 5. Is surgery the only way to treat a sebaceous cyst?
>> 6. How much does sebaceous cyst treatment cost? Can I receive surgery benefits?
>> 7. How to identify a sebaceous cyst: Can it develop into malignant cancer?
>> 8. I have cysts on my buttocks, groin, pubic area, groin, and thighs.
>> 9. I can't tell the difference between this and other bumps or lumps
A sebaceous cyst or atheroma is "a mass formed when epithelial components of the skin (epidermis and outer hair root sheath) fall into or under the skin to form a sac, in which gruel-like dirt and sebum accumulate." according to the website of the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Sebaceous cyst | Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (jsprs.or.jp)) as explained in
1. What is a sebaceous cyst? Its causes and early symptoms
A sebaceous cyst is a subcutaneous tumor that can appear anywhere on the body and is not cancer. It is called a "lump of fat" but it is not actually fat. It is a cyst that is formed in a sac-like structure just below the skin, where dead skin cells and skin oils (sebum) that should fall off normally accumulate.
The initial symptoms are blackened pores and noticeable skin, and a slight lump that can be felt when touched closely. If left untreated, the lump will grow into a raised hemispherical mass. The lump is attached to the skin and feels harder than the surrounding area.
The cause of its occurrence is unknown. It can also occur after bruises or trauma, or as acne scars. Medically, it is a mass formed when the epithelial components of the skin (epidermis and outer hair root sheath) fall into or under the skin to form a sac, and porridge-like dirt and oil accumulate inside it.
They often appear on the back, neck, cheeks, and earlobes, and some people are more susceptible to them. However, it is not known what types of people are more susceptible to them.
3. Natural healing is almost impossible
It is rare for it to disappear naturally, and if left untreated, it will gradually grow and may exceed 10 cm in size. If you notice it, we recommend that you have it surgically removed before it starts to hurt. In most cases, it will be cured after a few days of treatment.
4. When it hurts... When it becomes an inflamed cyst and is left untreated
If it becomes infected, it will suddenly grow larger, become red, swollen, and painful, and may be mistaken for a boil. Many people visit the doctor saying, "I've had a tingling sensation for 2-3 days, but when I left it alone, it suddenly grew larger and became very painful yesterday." If left untreated, the skin will break and pus and a smelly porridge-like mass will be discharged. If you try to squeeze it when it's red and swollen, the sac may break and scatter into the fat tissue, resulting in a condition called pyoderma. Do not forcefully squeeze it to push out the contents, but consult a doctor as soon as possible to take medicine and receive treatment. It takes only a short time for it to tingle and become painful and swollen. If you visit a doctor in this state, it may take several weeks to heal completely, and you will regret it.
5. The cure is a simple surgery
In plastic surgery, new doctors start by learning how to operate on cysts. The surgical method has not changed for over 40 years, and there are two surgical methods below. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so neither is better than the other. The time required is roughly the same. It is best to leave the method to the doctor.
-Fusin incision method
This method involves making a spindle-shaped incision in the skin directly above the cyst, removing the cyst, and suturing it.
Advantages: Large size can be treated. High chance of complete removal and low recurrence rate.
Disadvantages: A scar the length of the diameter of the cyst remains.
Hollowing method
This involves making a small round hole in the skin and pulling the cyst out through it.
Advantages: The scars after treatment are small. For facial cysts, this method may be tried first, but depending on the location and size of the cyst, the spindle incision method may be less noticeable.
Disadvantages: It is necessary to remove the cyst including its small exit, but in some cases the exit is difficult to see. Also, since the cyst is pulled out through a small hole, it is difficult for doctors to notice if part of the growth remains because it is not visible. In either case, the cyst will recur.
6. How much does the treatment cost? Can I receive surgery benefits?
The cost is the same for either the spindle resection method or the excision method. The cost varies depending on the location and size of the tumor. In addition to the surgery fee, an examination fee will be charged. For insurance treatment, the fee is the same nationwide.
About surgery benefits
Those who are covered by medical insurance from a life insurance company or mutual aid association may be eligible to receive surgery benefits. Please note that payments will not be made unless the patient completes the procedure themselves. Usually, the doctor will fill out a form designated by the insurance company. If you are covered by a life insurance company or mutual aid association, please check with the insurance company.
7. How to tell: Will it develop into malignant cancer?
Characteristics of sebum include the following:
- The skin is slightly raised, and there is a lump of a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
- A black dot (opening) in the center of the lump
- Sometimes something smells bad
- It is not painful or itchy, but when it becomes inflamed it becomes red, swollen, and painful.
- If inflammation is left untreated, it will burst and pus will come out.
Basically, if the cyst is not completely removed, it will recur. It has been reported that if left untreated and inflammation continues, it can develop into cancer, but this is rare. Even among plastic surgeons with over 30 years of experience, I think there are very few doctors who have examined patients whose cysts have become cancerous. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29681810)
8. I have painful lumps or boils on my buttocks, groin, pubic area, groin, or crotch.
Painful bumps that appear in these areas are often not sebaceous cysts, so care should be taken. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin disease that tends to occur on the buttocks, groin, armpits, under the breasts, and around the anus. Antibiotics (oral anti-suppurative medications) alone do not cure the condition completely, and surgery to remove the affected area with a scalpel is often required. In severe cases, biological agents may be administered. The cause is largely unknown, and it is said that genetics, smoking, obesity, bacteria, mechanical irritation, and hormones are all involved. An ultrasound examination can clearly distinguish it from a sebaceous cyst.
If the growths are in the genital area, people are embarrassed to go to the doctor, so they endure it and wait until it gets worse before coming to the doctor. They often appear in the areas where underwear elastic touches the skin. If it is in the early stages, it can be easily treated, so please come in as soon as possible.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Stages and Severity (kingslun.com) Journal of the Japanese Dermatological Association, Vol. 131, No. 1 (jst.go.jp)
9. I can't tell the difference between this and other bumps or lumps
There are calcifying epithelioma, lipoma, ganglion, sebaceous cystoma, dermoid cyst, neurilemmoma, preauricular fistula, etc. In rare cases, there are malignant ones such as cancer. Doctors can easily distinguish them when they see them, but it is difficult to explain them to patients.
If you would like to know more, please click on the following link:
Calcifying epitheliomaCalcific epithelioma | Japanese Society of Plastic Surgery (jsprs.or.jp)
Lipoma,Lipoma | Japanese Society of Plastic Surgery (jsprs.or.jp)
Ganglion5gangurion.pdf (jssh.or.jp)
sebaceous cystosis,
Dermoid cystDermoid Cyst | Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (jsprs.or.jp)
Schwannoma
Preauricular fistulaEar (anterior) fistula | Japanese Society of Plastic Surgery (jsprs.or.jp)