An epidermal cyst is a soft, small bump under the skin most commonly found on the face and trunk. It results from the formation of a small, closed sac structure containing solid material similar to the surface of the skin. An epidermal cyst often grows, ruptures, gets inflamed, and forms a boil. An inflamed cyst should not be surgically removed, but rather drained, and the inflammation should be controlled with a local injection of cortisone and antibiotic if necessary. When the cyst is not inflamed, it can be surgically removed through a small incision (often smaller than the cyst) by your dermatologist under local anesthesia. An epidermal cyst is not a precancerous growth. [Figure 1]
Figure 01
