Table of contents:
- Causes of atheroma cysts
- Treatment for atheroma cysts
- Surgery, the best way to prevent the cyst from coming back
Different cysts, different types of treatment. Atheroma cyst, also known as sebaceous, is a type of cyst that does not have the potential to develop into cancer. Although not so dangerous, this one cyst should be treated immediately because it can cause discomfort.
Causes of atheroma cysts
Atheroma cysts have several other names; namely sebaceous and epidermoid. These cysts most commonly grow on the face, neck, upper back, and upper chest. This type of cyst is formed from oil glands and grows very slowly without pain. Usually atheroma cysts have a hole in the middle called the central punctum.
Generally, cysts will develop if the oil glands are damaged and blocked. This often occurs because of trauma to the area. This trauma can be in the form of scratches, surgical wounds, or skin problems such as acne.
In addition, other causes of atheroma cysts include:
- Deformed channel.
- Cell damage during surgery.
- Genetic conditions such as Gardner's syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome.
Treatment for atheroma cysts
Atheroma cysts usually go away on their own and are harmless. However, if the cyst has become inflamed and infected, you need to immediately consult a doctor for treatment. The reason is that in some cases, the cyst can become irritated and produce a foul-smelling discharge.
When an atheroma cyst becomes inflamed, the doctor will usually inject steroids into it to calm and shrink it. However, if the cyst is infected, the doctor will cut it and remove the infected part. In the process, the doctor will inject an anesthetic around the cyst to numb the pain-conducting nerves.
If an infected cyst is not treated promptly, the infection can spread to the surrounding skin. This condition later makes the doctor need to prescribe drinking antibiotics in addition to just slicing and removing fluid from the cyst.
You can also ask your doctor to remove atheroma cysts that you have even though they are not inflamed. This is because cysts that are too large can also interfere with daily life. Generally, doctors will treat cysts by drying or removing them. This method is done not because the cyst is a health hazard, but because it interferes with your appearance or daily activities.
Surgery, the best way to prevent the cyst from coming back
Without surgery, atheroma cysts can usually come back. Unfortunately, many people are afraid to have surgery because it can cause scarring that will disrupt their appearance or because they are afraid of being sedated. However, if your doctor recommends that you perform a surgical removal, it is best to follow his advice in your best interest.
For surgical removal of the cyst, the doctor will usually wait until the cyst is not inflamed or infected. This is so that the cyst does not come back in the future.
Some of the methods commonly used to remove atheroma cysts are:
- Conventional wide excision, aims to completely remove the cyst. The risk is, the scars tend to be durable and quite large.
- Minimal excision, removes the cyst by cutting it surgically. There is less scarring but there is a high risk of recurrence.
- Laser with a punch biopsy, make a small hole to drain the cyst and its contents with the help of a laser. Usually the outer wall of the cyst will also be removed about a month later.
After the cyst is removed, the doctor will usually give you an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and a special cream to reduce the appearance of the surgical wound.
