1. Teen Angst
Epidermoid cysts are those nasty little bumps that teens usually get on their face, neck and back when they are going through a bad stage of acne. The cyst is not cancerous but the look of it can be as bad as a fatal illness as you won't want to be seen in public. A yellowish discharge tells you what you have. The cyst is a result of damage to the hair follicle from an infection. It could be an ingrown hair or a pimple turned inward. They are relatively easy to lose, if you can live long enough to get to the dermatologist.
2. Get to a Doctor
Once you see the yellow oozing, you'll want to get to the doctor's office to make sure that it is really an epidermoid cyst and not a more aggressive skin tumor. Following the discharge and while it is healing, you may experience redness and a rash in the area of the cyst. If you wait for the cyst to rupture, it can cause some swelling. Cysts are not contagious, but no one would want to touch it anyway.
3. Remove the Cyst With a Tiny Cut
The doctor can remove the epidermoid cyst right in his office with a small incision. He takes out the top of the cyst, the inner wall and removes all the build-up of pus that remains. You'll get a little prick to anesthetize the area. The incision is so small that you won't even need stitches when the cyst is removed. A small bandage can cover the cut until it heals. Use an antibiotic ointment when you change the adhesive bandage each day until it disappears. If the entire cyst wall has been removed, the chances of it returning are slim to none.
4. The Adult Version
Sometimes adults contract an epidermoidal cyst when the middle layer of skin on the face is overgrown by the top level of skin, usually a result of a blocked hair follicle. When you touch the new bump on your face, it will move under the pressure. It is usually skin-colored but also can leak with the yellow cheesy substance. It can become tender if infected.
5. Leave it Alone
Don't fool around with the cyst as it can easily become infected. Non-infected cysts can sometimes be treated with oral steroids and no surgery is required. If that doesn't work or if infection is indicated, then a doctor can remove the cyst with a small incision the same she does for the adolescent patient.
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