Sebaceous cyst

Had an infected sebaceous cyst removed six weeks ago. What can I do to prevent it from re-occuring?

Sebaceous cysts appear on the skin as small lumps or bumps just under the skin which move freely, they are generally painless and slow growing, however if they become infected they can become problematic causing inflammation and pain. Cysts are enclosed encapulations of wastes which contain sebum (oil) and keratin (dead skin cells and proteins) which may cause a discharge of a semi-solid pasty material and the smell omitted is cheesy and foul. They are commonly caused as a result of swollen hair follicles or skin trauma. Sebaceous cysts most often disappear on their own and are not dangerous, however complications arise if they become infected and cause abcesses . If the cyst is squeezed or irritated this may result in infection, pain, tenderness, inflammation and infection. A sebaceous cyst presents most commonly around the facial area, neck, upper arms, ears, shoulders, back and occassionally the genital area, these are all areas which have hair growth.

Some common causes of sebaceous cysts:

Blocked sebaceous glands (oil glands)
Swollen hair follicles
Increased production of sebum (oil) on the skin
Excessive testosterone production

Although sebaceous cysts are not dangerous please speak to your GP concerning them, in some cases they can be lanced and drained however often they can reoccur. Alternatively the whole cyst and its contents can be removed.

Diet tips for sebaceous cysts

Reduce lymphatic congestive foods such as dairy foods, red meats, saturated fats and fatty foods
Increase water intake to help the kidneys to flush lymphatic wastes
Increase your consumption of healthy oils to promote healthy skin and reduce sebum stagnation in the hair shafts. Foods which contain healthy oils are nuts and seeds, avocadoes, fish, flaxseed oil, Evening primrose oil and fish oil
For healthier skin increase water, fruits and vegetables in the diet

Lifestyle factors for sebaceous cysts

Hot compresses may help to break down any inflammation and promote lymphatic waste removal
Cleanse the area well and use topical and diluted Tea Tree or Lavender essential oil on the area. It is recommended to dilute tea tree oil in water or a base carrier oil such as Jojoba, Almond or Wheatgerm oil as using essential oils directly onto the skin can be harmful. The general amount for normal skin is 1 part tea tree oil to 9 parts water or carrier oil (less if your skin is sensitive). Applying this at least 3-4 times daily may help the cyst to heal, reduce bacteria build up, clean the area and provide antiseptic qualities to reduce chances of infection. When purchasing essential oils it is recommended to buy 100% essential oils, not synthetic oils as these are inferior in quality and may have harsh chemicals added to them
Improve kidney, liver and lymphatic function by beginning a detoxification and cleansing program

Natural remedies for sebaceous cysts