Are you suffering from sebaceous cysts? Do they keep recurring leaving you in pain? These cysts are harmless most of the times, but sometimes can get serious.
So, why are these cysts caused? How can you treat them? This post has the answers! Read on to know more!
A sebaceous cyst is a bump that forms beneath the skin surface that contains foul-smelling yellowish oily liquid. These bumps may also be painful and the area affected by them can get swollen.
As a matter of fact, these cysts can affect numerous parts of your body, including breasts, face, neck and genitals. They tend to grow more on the hairy areas of the body. They can be both small and large. While the cysts are not exactly harmful, or there is no possibility of these causing any long term damage, they can be sources of annoyance and inconvenience.
The major causes of the formation of these cysts are:
Sebaceous cysts can happen both to women and men from various age groups. However, men are more prone to it as they have comparatively more body hair than women. While the cysts are common to affect teens and adolescents, adults can also be subjected to them.
As it is, sebaceous cysts form suddenly and in most cases, they dissipate on their own, without much medical intervention. Some people simply choose to ignore them until they disappear. However, when the cysts cause pain and swelling of the skin, they should no longer be ignored.
Common treatment options for these cysts are:
Homeopathy:
Those with lots of patience opt for this method. No surgical method is involved.
Puncturing:
Some people opt for puncturing the cysts with fingertips. However, squeezing them with nails or sharp objects can lead to infection.
Surgery:
In rare cases, surgical procedures may need to be performed (1).
However, it is much better to treat the cysts with effective and proven home remedies.
Below listed are 15 tried and tested home remedies for sebaceous cyst. They are easy to administer, inexpensive, and do not cause any side effects:
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (2). It is used for treating a number of skin related ailments such as acne and warts. You may apply a small amount of Tea tree oil on the cysts directly. You can also apply the oil after diluting it with water or another carrier oil. For large cysts, you may apply it three times a day.
Aloe Vera is a herb with natural healing and antibacterial properties. It has been used for ages to treat several skin related problems in people. You can try using Aloe Vera gel to get rid of sebaceous cysts. You can apply the gel directly to the cyst two times a day. When you apply the gel, it will cool and soothe the inflamed regions effectively!
Apple cider vinegar is not only good for hair health, it can also be beneficial for getting rid of annoying cysts on the skin. It has antimicrobial qualities that help heal a cyst. You can apply apple cider vinegar to a cyst with a cotton ball. This can be done twice a day. If you have very sensitive skin, it is better to dilute the vinegar with some water and then apply to the cysts.
The commonplace cooking ingredient found in every kitchen can be your savior for eradicating those ugly sebaceous cysts! Curcumin, one of the primary substances found in turmeric, helps you cope with skin inflammation related problems including cysts (3).
You can apply raw turmeric paste to the cysts. You may also consume turmeric internally for getting the benefits. Turmeric has a purifying effect on blood and works on clogged skin pores (which lead to cyst development). You can also consume turmeric by mixing it with milk and drinking it daily.
A hot compress is not only meant for reducing pain in joints or treat backache, but also to eliminate sebaceous cysts. You can use clean and warm water for this purpose. It should not be very hot or boiling as such. Dip a clean cotton ball in it and apply the warm ball to the cysts. Hold it for a few seconds. This can be done several times a day. The warmth helps in reducing the pain caused by soreness to an extent.
Witch hazel is known for its excellent astringent properties, and it can cleanse the skin of most impurities (4). It contains tannin that helps eliminate excess oil from the skin surface and stops the clogging of sebaceous glands. You may apply witch hazel cream directly on cysts and the surrounding regions.
Burdock is a herb with proven anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It has been utilized since ancient times for treating several skin ailments (5). You can use Burdock root to make tea and sip it for treating skin cysts internally. You will need to boil the root in water and add a little honey to it. You can have the tea a few times every day.
For treating sebaceous cysts, you can apply external products, and it is also necessary to cleanse the body from within. It is said that milk thistle helps clean the blood and thus stops the formation of toxins that can clog pores and form cysts. Its bioflavonoid complex, named silymarin, helps in this regard (6). Its antioxidant properties help reduce the soreness and inflammation caused by the cysts as well. Breastfeeding, as well as pregnant women, should not use this herb. You can find this in a tincture or capsule form in the market.
Epsom salt can help heal sebaceous cysts by eliminating the bacteria that cause their formation. You can try bathing in water to which Epsom salt has been added. You may pour the salt in warm water in a bathtub or a bucket.
This can serve as a natural weapon to prevent the formation of sebaceous cysts or remove the existing ones. It is known as a natural blood purifier. You may consume this in the form of a pill or tablet.
This can be especially useful for those with oily or combination skin. You can wash the cysts and the surrounding skin with a mild, antibacterial soap and pat dry with a clean cloth. This can be done several times a day. You may also apply some antibacterial powder on the spot for relief.
Red clover acts as an effective natural remedy for sebaceous cyst. It has been used since ancient times as a natural blood purifying agent (7). It helps eliminate those toxins in the blood that clog the skin and hair pores and lead to cyst development. You can drink tea made of dry red clover flowers a few times every day. As an alternative, you may also make a paste of those flowers and apply it to a cyst directly. However, women who have conceived or who are lactating should refrain from consuming it.
Castor oil is used for various skin ailments and it is also treated as one of the most effective sebaceous cyst remedies too. It heals the cysts and also reduces soreness. You may apply a clean cotton cloth soaked in this oil to the cysts. Follow this by a warm compress for getting the maximum benefits.
While honey may not really eliminate these cysts, its antibacterial properties thwart the bacteria from surviving. Applying a mix of honey and wheatgrass paste on the cyst can be really useful.
If you want a quick home remedy for sebaceous cysts, or do not have the required herbs at home, use a gentle anti fungal cream. You may talk with a doctor for knowing what should be ideal for your skin.
As the old saying goes-‘prevention is better than cure’, it holds true for sebaceous cysts too. At times, they can appear unpredictably owing to hormonal imbalances in the body. However, you can thwart the recurrences or reduce them to an extent.
To prevent these cysts from occurring and recurring on skin, you need to understand the root factors well. The cysts are mostly caused when skin pores get clogged by sebum. It is necessary to keep the skin clean, free of germs, and ensure excess sebum is not produced in the body.
You can:
This is all about the sebaceous cyst home remedies, which are simple yet effective! How has this post helped you? Please tell us by commenting in the box below!