Sebaceous Cyst Removal At Our Hospital In Marbella
22/02/2019Sebaceous cysts are common cysts that develop on the skin. They are not cancerous and may contain a liquid or semiliquid substance. At our hospital in Marbella, we have a team of dermatologists who can remove these cysts and help you to feel more comfortable.
Sebaceous cysts usually develop on the face, neck or torso and while they aren't life-threatening, they can become uncomfortable if left untreated. At our hospital in Marbella, we can usually diagnose a sebaceous cyst with a physical examination and a few questions about your medical history.
In some, rare, cases, your cyst may be examined more thoroughly for signs of cancer, although this is rare.
Causes of a sebaceous cyst
Your sebaceous gland produces an oil (known as sebum) which coats your hair and skin. Sebaceous cysts form when the gland or duct that secretes sebum becomes blocked or damaged. This can happen as a result of trauma.
This trauma may take the form of a scratch, surgical wound or existing skin condition such as acne. Because the cysts grow so slowly so the trauma may have occurred several weeks or even months before you notice the cyst.
Other causes may include:
- A misshapen or deformed duct which secretes sebum
- Damage to the cells following surgery
- Genetic conditions such as basal cell syndrome or Gardner's syndrome.
Treating a sebaceous cyst
At our hospital in Marbella, our doctors can treat your cyst by draining it or removing it through surgery. This tends to be more for cosmetic reasons rather than because they're dangerous.
Because most cysts aren't harmful or dangerous to your health, our dermatologists will allow you to chose a treatment option which works best for you.
It is, however, important to remember that without a full surgical removal, the cyst may redevelop. Some people do choose not to have surgery to remove the cyst however as this can lead to scarring.
Here are some of the methods we can use in our hospital in Marbella to treat your cyst:
1: Conventional wide excision, which will completely remove the cyst but is more likely to leave a long scar.
2: Minimal excision, which will leave very minimal scarring but does carry a slight risk that your cyst will redevelop.
3: Laser treatment with a punch biopsy excision, uses a laser to make a small hole in the cyst to drain its contents. Its outer walls can be removed at a later date.
After the removal of your cyst, we will usually give you an antibiotic ointment to prevent the development of any infection. This should be used until the area has healed.
If you have noticed a sebaceous cyst developing, arrange an appointment at our hospital in Marbella to discuss having it removed as soon as possible to help you feel more comfortable.