A cyst is a lump under the skin that is filled with fluid, air, or a solid substance such as hair. These lumps can grow in any part of the body, and are caused by various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or heredity.
Cyst Symptoms
The main symptom of a cyst is a lump that grows in certain parts of the body, the location of which depends on the type of cyst experienced. Bumps can grow on the face, neck, chest, back, scalp, palms, and soles of the feet.
The size of the lump varies greatly, and may be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Redness of the skin around the cyst area.
- Discharge of blood or pus smells bad from the lump.
- Infection that triggers pain in the cyst.
- Stiffness or tingling, especially in the part of the body where the cyst is growing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Dizzy.
Causes of Cysts
Cysts can occur in both men and women. Depending on the type, cysts can form as a result of infection, blockage, inflammation that occurs in the long term, or due to a hereditary disease. Below will be explained the causes of cysts based on the type of cyst.
Baker's Cyst
A Baker's cyst or popliteal cyst is a fluid-filled lump that forms behind the knee. These lumps can cause pain when bending or straightening the legs, and cause the sufferer's movement to be limited.
A Baker's cyst is caused by a buildup of joint (synovial) fluid behind the knee. This buildup of fluid can be triggered by inflammation of the knee joint, or a knee injury.
Branchial cleft cyst
A branchial cleft cyst is a congenital disease characterized by the appearance of a lump on one or both sides of the child's neck. A lump can also grow under the collarbone. This condition occurs in the fifth week of fetal development.
Branchial cleft cysts occur when the tissues that make up the throat and neck do not develop normally. As a result, a gap is formed on one or both sides of the neck.
Epidermoid cyst
This type of cyst is characterized by small lumps, hard, brownish yellow, and filled with thick, smelly fluid. These lumps grow under the skin slowly and are benign. Epidermoid cysts can grow on the head, neck, face, back, and genital area.
Epidermoid cysts are caused by a buildup of keratin (the protein that makes up hair, skin and nails) under the skin. When infected, the cyst can be red, swollen and painful.
Ganglion cyst
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps along tendons (tissue connecting muscles and bones), and joints. The lumps usually grow on the arms and wrists, but they can also grow on the feet and ankles.
Ganglion cysts are caused by fluid buildup, resulting from osteoarthritis and injury to tendons or joints. However, in many cases it is not known what causes the fluid build-up.
chalazion
A chalazion cyst is a lump or swelling in the eyelid, which can occur in the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. Chalazion can also occur in one eye or both eyes.
A chalazion is caused by a blockage in the meibomian glands or oil glands in the eyelids. If there is an infection, the chalazion will swell and cause pain. In some cases, chalazion can cause vision problems.
Mucocele
Mucocele are fluid-filled lumps that form on the lips or around the mouth. Usually, cysts grow on the lower lip, but they can grow anywhere in the mouth.
Mucocele It forms when the salivary or salivary glands become blocked by mucus. Although these cysts are painless and only temporary, they can become permanent if left untreated.
Ovarian cyst
As the name suggests, an ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled lump that forms in or on the surface of the ovary (ovary). In general, ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms, and can even go away on their own without needing treatment. However, ovarian cysts that get bigger can cause pain in the pelvis, lower back, and thighs.
Ovarian cysts are commonly associated with the menstrual cycle. But in rare cases, ovarian cysts can arise due to abnormal cell growth.
breast cyst
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled lump, which can be round or oval in shape. Women can have one or more cysts, on one or both breasts. The lump is generally soft, but sometimes it can feel solid. Breast cysts are caused by a buildup of fluid in the mammary glands.
Pillar cyst
Pillar cysts or trichlemal cysts are caused by a buildup of keratin in the hair follicles. The lump on the pillar cyst is round, palpable solid, with a color similar to the color of the skin. Although they can grow anywhere on the body, pillar cysts usually grow on the scalp.
pilonidal cyst
A pilonidal cyst is a lump at the top of the cleavage of the buttocks. These lumps usually contain hair and dirt, and are painful. When infected, pilonidal cysts can ooze pus and blood, accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
The exact cause of pilonidal cysts is not known. However, the lump is thought to have grown due to hair in the buttocks area penetrating the skin. The immune system will perceive the hair as a foreign object, and trigger the growth of cysts.
Atheroma cyst
Atheroma cysts or sebaceous cysts are fluid-filled lumps found on the face, neck, chest, and back. The lump grows slowly and is benign, but can be painful when the lump enlarges.
Atheroma cysts are caused by blockages in the sebaceous glands, or in the ducts (channels that secrete oil from the body). Cysts can also grow as a result of cell damage during surgery, or as a result of hereditary factors such as Gardner's syndrome.
Cyst acne
Cystic acne is a type of acne that is formed from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells trapped in the pores. Cyst acne is generally large like a boil, filled with pus, and painful to the touch.
Cystic acne can happen to anyone, but it is more common in people with oily skin, and experiencing hormonal imbalances. In addition to the face, acne cysts can grow on the neck, shoulders, chest, back, arms, and behind the ears.
Cyst Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose a cyst by performing a physical examination of the lump. However, to be sure, doctors need to carry out further examinations, such as:
- Imaging test. Doctors may order ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, especially if the lump is not visible immediately (eg ovarian cyst). Imaging tests are done to see the contents of the lump, and whether the lump is cancerous.
- Biopsy. A biopsy is taking a sample of cyst tissue to be examined in the laboratory. The biopsy will help the doctor determine if the cyst is cancerous.
Cyst Treatment
Cysts can go away on their own without treatment. Patients can speed up the healing process by compressing the cyst using a warm compress. Do not try to pop the cyst, as this can lead to infection.
If the cyst does not go away, see a doctor for medical treatment. Doctors can remove the cyst by the following methods:
- Inject corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation in the cyst.
- Puncture the cyst with a needle and perform aspiration (aspiration) of the fluid in the cyst.
- Remove the cyst surgically, if aspiration is not successful.
Cyst Prevention
Although most cysts cannot be prevented, some types of cysts can be avoided. For example, women with ovarian cysts can prevent new cysts from forming by taking birth control pills. Chalazion can be prevented by cleaning the eyelids using a gentle cleanser. While pilonidal cysts can be prevented by keeping the skin dry and clean, and not sitting too long.