A cyst is a small pocket of tissue often filled with fluid or pus. It can occur due to an injury, infection, or other issues. They\u2019re usually benign but may need treatment for complications.\n\n\n
A cyst is a sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that contains fluid, air, or other substances. Cysts can grow almost anywhere in your body or under your skin.\n

There are many types of cysts. Most cysts are benign or noncancerous.\n\n
Whether a cyst needs treatment depends on a number of factors, including:\n\n
- \n
- the type of cyst\n
- the location of the cyst\n
- whether the cyst is causing pain or discomfort\n
- whether the cyst is inflamed or infected\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not sure if you have a skin condition, you can take a picture and\u00a0send it to an online dermatologist.\n\n\n
\n\nCysts can vary in appearance depending on their type and location. Here are 11 types of cysts.\n\n
\nEpidermoid cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nEpidermoid cysts are small, benign bumps filled with keratin. Kertain is a protein that\u2019s essential in forming your skin, hair, and nails. Epidermoid cysts occur when something blocks hair follicles, and skin cells build up beneath this blockage.\n\n
\nThese cysts can look like a skin-colored, tan, or yellowish bump filled with thick material. They\u00a0typically occurTrusted Source\u00a0on your face, neck, or torso, but can occur across your body.\n\n
\nIn rare cases, epidermoid cysts can be caused by an inherited condition called\u00a0Gardner syndrome.\n\n
\nSebaceous cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nSebaceous cysts are filled with\u00a0sebum\u00a0and are less common than epidermoid cysts. They often form within sebaceous glands, which are part of your skin and hair follicles. Sebaceous glands make oil for your skin and hair.\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThese cysts most commonly occur on your face, neck, or torso, and are often the result of damage to sebaceous glands.\n\n
\nBreast cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nBenign cysts\u00a0can develop\u00a0when fluid collects near your breast glands. They can cause pain or tenderness in the affected area.\n\n
\nWhile breast cysts are noncancerous, there are many possible other more serious causes for a lump in your breast. It\u2019s important to be familiar with how your breasts typically feel so you\u2019re aware of changes. This way, you\u2019re more likely to notice changes right away.\n\n
\nYou should try to make an appointment to see a healthcare professional if:\n\n
\n- \n
- you discover a new lump\n
- an area of your breast is noticeably different than the rest\n
- a lump changes or grows larger\n
- you notice unexpected discharge from the nipple\n
- you have an inverted nipple, and it wasn\u2019t always inverted\n\n\n\n
Ganglion cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nA ganglion cyst is a round, gel-filled lump of tissue that usually appears along tendons or joints, especially in the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet. Fluid accumulation can occur due to injury, trauma, or overuse, but\u00a0often the cause is unknownTrusted Source.\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA ganglion cyst is common, harmless, and doesn\u2019t cause pain or difficulties unless it grows and puts pressure on other structures.\n\n
\nPilonidal cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nA pilonidal cyst is a\u00a0common\u00a0skin condition that forms in the cleft at the top of your buttocks. It consists of a small hole or tunnel in the skin that may become infected and fill with fluid or pus and it\u00a0typically occursTrusted Source\u00a0after\u00a0puberty.\n\n
\nChanging hormones, hair growth, and friction from clothes or from spending a long time sitting may all cause a pilonidal cyst.\n\n
\nSymptoms of an infection include:\n\n
\n- \n
- pain when sitting or standing\n
- discolored or sore skin around the area\n
- pus or blood draining from the abscess, causing a foul odor\n
- swelling of the cyst\n
- hair protruding from the lesion\n\n\n\n
Ovarian cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nOvarian cysts\u00a0often form when the follicle that normally releases an egg doesn\u2019t open. This causes fluid to build up and form a cyst.\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnother common type of ovarian cyst occurs after the follicle releases the egg and improperly recloses and collects fluid.\n\n
\nOvarian cysts\u00a0occur most oftenTrusted Source\u00a0in those of menstrual age and are typically first found during\u00a0pelvic exams.\n\n
\nOvarian cysts are associated with an increased risk of cancer when they occur after\u00a0menopause.\n\n
\nBaker (popliteal) cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nA Baker cyst is a swollen, fluid-filled sac at the back of your knee.\n\n
\nCauses of Baker cysts\u00a0include conditions\u00a0or occurrences that affect the joints such as\u00a0arthritis, inflammation from repetitive stress, or a cartilage injury. Baker cysts can cause inflammation and pain and lower range of motion in your knee.\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhysical therapy, fluid draining, and medication can all be used to help treat a Baker cyst.\n\n
\nPilar cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nA pilar cyst is a noncancerous, skin-colored, round bump that develops under the surface of your skin. They\u00a0usually affectTrusted Source\u00a0the skin on the scalp and results from protein buildup in a hair follicle.\n\n
\nThey\u2019re not cancerous, but they can grow to a size that can be uncomfortable.\n\n
\nMucous cyst\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\nA\u00a0mucous cyst\u00a0is a fluid-filled lump that forms on your lip or around your mouth when the salivary glands become plugged with mucus. The most common causes of mucous cysts include:\n\n
\n- \n
- lip or cheek biting\n
- lip piercings\n
- rupture of the salivary gland\n
- improper dental hygiene\n\n\n\n
Mucous cysts will often go away on their own. But if you have recurring or frequent mucous cysts, you may need medical treatment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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