Have you ever had a cyst like this on your skin? (Epidermal Inclusion Cyst) Let's find out!

Sometimes you may have noticed something like a small lump under your skin. Maybe on your face, neck, or back. When you press on it, it feels like there's something inside, and it's like a small ball that you can move around with your hand, right? Many people are afraid of this, wondering if it's cancer or a serious illness. But most of the time, these are not things to be afraid of. Today we're talking about a very common type of lump. In medicine, we call this an 'Epidermal Inclusion Cyst'.

What is an Epidermal Inclusion Cyst?

Simply put, it's a small pocket of fluid that forms under the top layer of your skin (the epidermis). It's like a small balloon hidden under your skin. A mole feels like a small bump under your skin.

Many people also call these cysts 'Sebaceous Cysts'. But that's actually a bit of a mistake. Because the word 'sebaceous' refers to the oil-producing glands in our skin. We call the oily substance produced by these glands 'sebum'. But the cysts we're talking about are not filled with 'sebum'.

So what's inside these nuts?

What these cysts are actually filled with is a type of protein called 'Keratin' , which is dead skin cell debris. Keratin is the main protein that makes up our skin, nails, and hair. So what these cysts contain is not oil, but a thick, cheese-like substance. When a doctor drains one of these cysts, what comes out is a yellow, thick, and sometimes slightly foul-smelling substance.

The actual type called 'sebaceous cyst' is very rare. They are the ones filled with 'sebum'. But the type that we see every day and that is most common is the 'epidermal inclusion cyst'.

What exactly does this tumor look like?

If you have a tumor like this, you may see one or more of these symptoms. Let's look at a table to understand this clearly.

Although these tumors can develop anywhere on the body, they are most commonly seen on the face, chest, back, neck, scalp, hands, and feet .

Why do tumors like this form? What is the cause?

The main reason for this is a blocked hair follicle in our skin. A hair follicle is simply a small hole in our body through which hair or fur comes out.

Think about it, our skin is constantly renewing itself. Old skin cells die and are shed. This is a natural process. However, for some reason, for example, a small wound, a scratch, a surgical scar, a pimple, or sun damage to the skin, the way for these dead cells to escape is blocked. Then these cells, together with keratin, begin to accumulate in a small sac under the skin. Over time, this sac grows and we see it as a tumor.

Imagine a situation where a group of vehicles suddenly get stuck on a road and create a traffic jam. That's how these cells get stuck in one place.

Who is at higher risk of developing these tumors?

Although they can develop at any age, they are most common in people between the ages of 20 and 60. They rarely develop before puberty. They are also slightly more common in men than in women.

In addition, some rare genetic conditions and other diseases can also cause many of these tumors to form on the body.

• Gardner syndrome
• Gorlin syndrome
• Favre-Racouchot syndrome
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection

This risk may also be slightly increased in people taking certain medications. For example, drugs like `BRAF inhibitors`, `Imiquimod`, and `Cyclosporine`.

Can this tumor be dangerous? What are the complications?

Most of the time, these tumors do not cause any harm, but sometimes they can cause certain complications.

Could this be cancer?

This is the biggest fear that many people have. It is very rare for a mole like this to become cancerous. That is, not one in thousands of people with moles like this will develop this risk. So don't be afraid of having this mole. However, in some rare cases, skin cancers such as `Squamous cell carcinoma` or `Basal cell carcinoma` can develop inside this mole.

• If there are signs of infection (pain, redness, swelling, pus).
• If the tumor is growing very quickly .
• If the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.

How does a doctor diagnose this?

In most cases, a doctor can examine your lump, ask you about it, and say that it is an 'epidermal inclusion cyst'.

But sometimes, especially if the tumor is large or if there is suspicion of another problem, some further tests may be done.

• Ultrasound scan: This can clearly see what kind of material is inside the tumor.
• CT scan: In cases of large tumors, this helps to see how deep it has spread and whether it has affected surrounding tissues.
• Biopsy: If there is even the slightest suspicion that the tumor may be cancerous, the doctor will take a very small piece of the tumor and examine it.

How is it treated? Should the tumor be removed?

Most of the time, if you don't have any problems or pain from this tumor, your doctor will tell you to wait it out without any treatment . Some tumors can stay the same size for years.

But if the cyst is swollen and painful, there is a simple thing you can do at home. Apply a warm compress . Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring it out, and place it on the cyst for a few minutes. Doing this several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain.

When you go to a doctor, he decides on treatment based on the condition.

• If the cyst is infected, antibiotics may be given.
• If the tumor is swollen and painful, a steroid injection can be given into the tumor itself to quickly reduce the swelling.

If the tumor continues to bother you, is large, or you want to remove it for cosmetic reasons, your doctor may recommend surgical removal. There are two main methods for this.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you have a question about a tumor like this, ask your doctor about these things when you go see him.

• Do I have an 'epidermal inclusion cyst' or something else?
• Will this get better on its own, or does it need treatment?
• Do you think this tumor will get bigger?
• What treatment is best for me?
• If I want to remove this, should I see a dermatologist or surgeon?
• What do I do if the tumor comes back after being removed?