It wasn’t that long ago that any raised bump or white-ish lump on a person’s skin was treated, more or less, the same way. Unless the bump could be traced to another source or carried some other symptom, it was treated as general acne. The advice was to avoid oil, wash your face, and wait for it to go away. But what causes skin cysts?
What Causes Skin Cysts?
Thankfully we’ve come a long way from those days. We now know much more about the different conditions that can affect a person’s skin. And, in many cases, we know how to distinguish the condition from baseline acne. Cysts are one such condition.
Though a cyst can resemble a run-of-the-mill pimple – if there is such a thing – the two require different treatment approaches. And a key to telling the difference is knowing what causes skin cysts in the first place.
The Origins of the Skin Cyst
Unlike acne, which may be caused by substances left on the skin, no food or drink is known to cause skin cysts. Rather, it seems that a combination of trauma and genetics is the root cause. Trauma can take the form of a scratch, the after-effects of acne, or even surgical marks left on the skin.
Genetics comes into play in two ways. First and foremost, a person’s DNA can make them prone to skiing cysts. Then, in some cases, the genetic code results in malformed sebaceous glands. These are the glands through which sebum is excreted, the oily substance that covers our skin. When malformed in any way, these glands are much more prone to blockage.
Blame Blockages
These causes are the base building blocks of skin cysts. They lead to blockages in the sebaceous gland, which is the next step in a cyst’s development. In some cases, such blockages can appear similar to whitehead pimples. But in others they create a much larger issue that you may need to consult a dermatologist in NYC before you can be rid of them.
Depth and Size Set Cysts Apart
Pimples sit, more or less, on the surface of a person’s skin. Cysts, on the other hand, can run much, much deeper. Sebaceous glands are found between layers of skin and usually sit near to hair follicles. When they become blocked and form cysts, the problem starts in that area between layers of skin.
Cysts can take anywhere from days to months to form. And when they form, they can be anywhere from a small bump to a lump more than an inch across. They may also create a tight discomfort that is unique to cysts, due to how deep under the skin they form.
Many Require Professional Treatment
Like other forms of acne, some cysts can be handled at home. Some people choose to pop them once they reach the surface. But it is just as helpful to leave them alone. In many cases, the cyst will go away on its own.
Severe cysts buck this advice, unfortunately. You can ignore the cyst, but it will not go away on its own. It may even continue to grow, though this usually only occurs in extreme cases.
Whether or not the cyst is considered extreme, however, it is best to seek professional help if it does not clear up on its own. Cysts that don’t heal over time can actually become semi-permanent and remain under the skin until a professional is consulted. It is for situations like these that we offer cyst removal in NYC.
Whether you’re suffering from chronic cysts or have one in particular that will not go away, we are here to help. Give us a call today.