What is sebaceous cyst सीबेशियस सिस्ट (त्वचा में गांठ) –
Sebaceous
cysts are the small , non cancerous protuberance on the skin. They are often
painless and their size may vary from 1/4
th of inch to 2 inch. These are characterized by
bulging lump with redness around the affected area. They are not contagious and
do not run the risk of developing cancer.
In other words they are benign.
Although
this small lump may not pose any major health risk but it can be a cause of low
self esteem for its unappealing appearance.
Causes of cysts -
1)
Cysts normally occur on the parts of
the body where there is a lot of sebum production like face, neck, shoulders or
chest.
2)
Blocking of sebaceous glands,
excessive production of testosterone in males, increased production of sweat,
excessive exposure to the sun.
3)
Waxing and shaving are some of the
contributory factors to this problem. These may occur to the person of any age.
Home
remedies –
Draining the liquid out of the cyst or lancing can be a way to get rid of
the sebaceous cyst, but it increases the risk of spread of infection. Here are
some home remedies to ease the skin ailment in a natural manner:
Turmeric is a natural healing agent which can
break the cyst and bring back the affected area into normal state. Boil ½ tbsp
of turmeric with 1 cup of water. Allow it to cool and drink this every night.
Repeat this remedy for 10 days.
Or
Make a paste of turmeric , water and honey and apply it on cyst.
Garlic
paste remedy
–
Garlic is rich in antiseptic properties which destroys the infection
causing bacteria.
Things we need –
Garlic – 2-3 cloves
Mortal and pestle
Bandage as required
Process- firstly peel the garlic cloves and add it into the mortar and
pestle. Then grind the garlic cloves till it forms a smooth paste. Apply this
paste on cyst. Later apply a bandage over the garlic paste. Allow the
application to remain on the cyst for 10-15 minutes. Then wash off the garlic
paste with plain water and pat dry the skin gently.
This process must be repeated once daily for 4-5 days for treating sebaceous
cysts.
Tips for a safe and healthy pregnancy
Warm
compress/ heating pad:
Dip a cleaned washed cloth in hot water. Wriggle it to remove the extra
water. Put it over the cyst for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the procedure for 3-4
times a day. It will speed up the healing process and improve the blood
circulation or else you can also make use of heating pad in place of warm
compress.
Note –
Apply medium heat to the cyst as too much heat might generate more infection
causing bacteria.
Tea bags – Tea bags have anti inflammatory
properties. Soak a tea bag in some milk and keep it over the cyst overnight.
Baking soda – Mix some baking soda, water and
salt to form a smooth paste on the cyst. It is one of the most popular treatment
for curing the cysts. This process must
be repeated thrice a day for 1 week which makes the sebaceous cyst dry out and
heals the skin too. Baking soda has properties that help in maintaining the ph level of the skin and
thus keeps bacterial growth under control, providing relief from itching and
burning too.
Mix 3 tbsp
of honey in 1 tbsp of cinnamon powder
. Apply this paste over the cyst. The medicinal properties of
cinnamon proves useful to get rid of sebaceous cyst.
Cabbage– Boil some
cabbage leaves in water and apply it over the cyst . Cover it with a clean, dry
wash cloth. It is a very effective remedy for getting rid of the cyst.
Apply
potato juice
over
the cyst with the help of a cotton swab
and leave it over night . It will decrease the size of the cyst quickly.
Aloe vera – It contains phenolic compounds
which possess antibiotic properties that is why aloe vera is a popular remedy
to cure sebaceous cysts. Squeeze some juice from the aloe vera leaf and apply
it directly over the cyst. Repeat this process several times a day for a few
days till the cyst goes away completely. Alternatively drink aloe vera juice
regularly to get rid of the cyst fast.
Antifungal
creams
also work
great on severe and painfull cysts. To cure sebaceous cysts apply some anti
fungal cream directly on the infected area and cover it with a clean piece of
cloth or bandage if necessary . It helps
in reducing inflammation and itching.
Do’s :
Drink plenty of water. It is required for the elimination of waste from
the body.
Keep the areas surrounding the cyst clean.
Always wash your hands before treating the cyst.
Make use of clean and washed cloth to clean the cyst.
Use hygienic blades and wax for cleaning the hair on the skin.
If the cyst pops its own , wash it thoroughly with the running water and
make use of anti bacterial soap to clean the affected area.
Consult your physician in case you notice that the size of the cyst has
swollen or increased, it is pus filled, the pain has increased. Also seek support from your doctor if the
cyst is in the genital area.
Exercise regularly as physical activities regulates the production of
hormones which help prevent sebaceous
cysts.
Do nots:
Avoid the urge of scratching or squeezing the cyst to bring pus out, as
it may pass on the infection to other body parts. It may also lead to bleeding.
Avoid the excessive exposure to the sun.
Dr. Suman Setia
BAMS DNHE PGDHHM
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