Hi Cookie
Although sebaceous cysts are usually found on the face, neck, and trunk, they also many times occur in the vaginal area or other parts of the genitalia of both women and men. Sebaceous cysts are usually painless, slow-growing small bumps or lumps that move freely under the skin. It's important not to touch or try to remove the substance inside to prevent tenderness, swelling, and infection of a sebaceous cyst.
What is a sebaceous cyst?
A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac occurring just under the skin which contains a "pasty" or "cheesy" looking substance. A foul odor is also often present in the substance called keratin which fills sebaceous cysts. Keratin is a protein that creates the sac of cells called sebaceous cysts. The bumps or lumps you can feel under your skin are actually the sac of cells.
What causes sebaceous cysts?
Sebaceous cysts are often the result of swollen hair follicles, or skin trauma.
What are the symptoms of sebaceous cysts?
Small lumps or bumps that occur just under the skin of the vagina, genitalia, breast, abdomen, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body are the most common symptom of sebaceous cysts.
Occasionally infections may occur. Signs or symptoms that may indicate infection of sebaceous cysts include:
- redness
- tenderness
- increased temperature of the skin over the bumps or lumps
- greyish white, cheesy, foul smelling material draining from the bump or lump
How are sebaceous cysts diagnosed ?
Sebaceous cysts are usually easily diagnosed by their appearance to the trained eye. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to rule out other conditions with a similar appearance.
Treatments for sebaceous cysts
Sebaceous cysts most often disapear on their own and are not dangerous. Occasionally, they may become inflamed and tender. Sometimes sebaceous cysts grow large that they may interfere with your everyday life. When this happens, surgical removal in your health care provider's office may be necessary. Small inflamed cysts can often be treated by injection of steroid medications or with antibiotics.
Complications of sebaceous cysts
Sebaceous cysts may occasionally become infected and form into painful abscesses. It is important when sebaceous cysts are surgically removed that the entire sac is excised to help prevent a recurrence. However, it's important to note that sebaceous cyst recurrence in not unusual.
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/dermatology/a/sebaceouscyst_p.htm
Hope that helps!
Kerry