Sebaceous Cyst Archives

Sebaceous Cysts

Dr Stoll.

I had a small Sebaceous Cyst removed when I was 19. It came back within 6 months or so and I had it removed again in Feb 02 at the age of 29. The cyst by this point was large and the dermatologist who removed it refered me to a general surgeon as he stated that he could not get get it all out (based on the depth and amount of scar tissue)

The cyst came back and progressivly grew larger unil it began draining in December 02. It kept draining for the past two months (I used the hot compresses you suggested). However, now it has plugged up and I have a large area just to the left of the opening where the skin is swelled up which is uncomforatable and itchy.

I have scheduled another appointment with my dermatologist and I assume that he will refer me to a general surgeon again. Though I know that doing nothing is not an option, I am very concerned that at this point there is little chance that all of the cyst can be removed through surgery and I fear that it will continue to come back requiring more and more surgeries which will result in more and more scar tissue.

Any advise?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Sebaceous Cysts (Wide Excision.) Archive. Walt Stoll 07:31:23 2/26/03 (0)

In Reply to: Sebaceous Cysts posted by Chris on February 25, 2003 at 12:04:16:

Hi, Chris.

All this means is that no one yet has excised enough tissue to be sure to get all the sebaceous cells. You will need a wide excision and any surgeon who considers doing it MUST have all the previous records or he might not do a wide enough excision either.

Hot compresses will only help when the area gets infected. They will do nothing about why this is happening.

Let us know how you do.

Walt