Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > S > Sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cyst   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Alternative names:

Epidermal cyst; Keratin cyst; Epidermoid cyst

Definition:

A closed sac found just under the skin containing "pasty" or "cheesy" looking skin secretions.

Causes and Risks

Sebaceous cysts most often arise from swollen hair follicles.  Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form.  A sac of cells is created into which a protein called keratin is secreted.

These cysts are usually found on the face, neck, and trunk.  They are usually slow- growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath the skin.  Occasionally, however, a cyst will become inflamed and tender.

Ency. home > Disease > S > Sebaceous cyst

[an error occurred while processing this directive]