Skin Disease: Sebaceous Cyst

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Looks ugly but Sebaceous Cyst swells like this

Ever heard of this? Maybe if brothers and sisters are doctors or medical staffs. I had experienced this disease since three or maybe four years ago. I thought that it is a kind of cell mutation under the skin at my left earlobe after it bleed so badly when I poked it with needle and scratched it for few times.

My mother felt scared when she saw the pillow that I used to sleep was stained with my blood so she keep reminding me to see doctor. I went for the public health center at Precinct 9 at 14:00 but we received the call that uncle Harun (Aron) was visiting us with his daughter, cousin sister Sophinee. So, I have to go home for a while just to respect guests. She'll return home with her family in the UK this Friday. Perhaps we would not have the chance to say goodbye. She came to Malaysia for her son's circumcision ceremony. I can't remember her son's name anyway cause I am not so close with cousins or relatives except with few late elders who were old imams or religious teachers as I always talk in few posts in the past. Didn't feel like going to the health center again after that.

Went for Checking

This Maghrib time, we went to Mediviron clinic at the side of Alamanda. The doctor said that the disease under the earlobe skin is known as Sebaceous Cyst. I was like... what... what?? Can you please repeat that? I can't get the sound. He just wrote down on a piece of paper for me to read then. I see... Sebaceous Cyst it is. It sounds nice that maybe some people would consider it as their child's name but it is a kind of disease eh, hehehe. He said that I should never touch the skin with the disease but leaving it to cure itself. I did not know that. Perhaps I didn't realize that I scratched the area with nails. He said usually illegal motor racers or mat rempit have the disease because the usage of dirty helmet. He just gave me some painkillers and antibiotic for RM30 (USD9.90) which also covers the consultation payment. When I returned home I just feel curious so I checked it in the net. I'm going to keep it a record here as I can't find any synonymous reference in Ayurveda complimentary medical studies or refer it to Chinese Traditional Medicine Practitioners. 

Definition

Sebaceous Cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with a cheese like or oily liquids. It could also be referred as carbuncle, cyst or furuncle.        

Causes

It most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma may also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein known as keratin is secreted. Usually could be found on neck, trunk and face. In my case, it is at the earlobes. They usually slow-growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath skin. Occasionally, a cyst will become inflamed and tender.  

Symptoms

Main symptom is usually a small, non-painful lump. The doctor said to me that I should never try to touch it to avoid infection. If the lump becomes infected or inflamed, other symptoms may include skin redness, tender or sore skin and warm skin in the affected area. It is bleeding at my earlobe. Grayish-white, cheesy, foul smelling liquid may drain from the cyst.

Signs and Tests

Most cases, medical officers can diagnose this type of cyst by simply examining our skin. A biopsy may be needed to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

It is not dangerous. Usually can be ignored. Placing a warm moist cloth over the area may help it to drain and heal. If it is a small inflamed cyst, the doctor perhaps may inject it with a steroid medicine that reduces swelling. If it is swollen, tender or becomes large, the doctor may drain it or perform surgery to remove it. For prognosis or expectations, large or painful cysts may interfere with day-to-day life. It may come again after the surgery.

Close

It is important to see our doctor if we encounter this skin disease or notice any new growths on our body. Although this disease is not dangerous but the doctor should at least examine us for signs of skin cancer.  Last few days I also suffered some oral ulcer due to stress and constipation problem cause I had some "ill-prepared" food at restaurants and running for the dateline. Be careful with foods in restaurant too brothers and sisters. My visits in medical centers and hospitals had made me quite cautious with health conditions around. I think everyone should keep blood pressure machine at home just in case because we live in modern stressful world. I love to keep data about diseases and home treatment methods or herbs.   

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!