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Cysts and Boils

Cysts are closed sacs; boils are painful infected follicles or abscesses. May need drainage, antibiotics, or excision.

What is Cysts and Boils

Cysts and boils are very common, and for the most part, they don’t cause harm to your health. They appear as pocket-like cavities that are generally filled with skin debris and excess oil and can grow anywhere on the body in various sizes, feeling like a lump beneath the skin. Though most cysts don’t cause pain or physical discomfort, some may grow to become troublesome for patients if they become infected or inflamed. Cysts that are larger in size are often surgically removed and sent for evaluation to ensure that they are benign. Our practice, Flourish Dermatology And Aesthetics, treats a variety of cysts for patients in the New Orleans, LA area. Reach out to our practice today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Payne so she can provide a proper cyst diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Symptoms & Indicators

Round, slow-growing lumps under your skin
Painless cysts unless they get infected
Hard, painful, pus-filled lumps
Tender, red spots that get bigger

It usually happens because

Bacterial infection around a hair follicle
Blocked skin glands
Trapped skin cells forming a sac
Friction in skin folds
Hidradenitis Suppurtiva

How do we treat Cysts and Boils

We offer a number of different treatments at Flourish Dermatology And Aesthetics for patients dealing with cysts. A common treatment for cysts is surgical removal. Swollen or inflamed cysts often respond positively to oral antibiotics and/or cortisone injections, which can cause them to shrink in size. With a proper diagnosis, most cysts can be treated effectively.

After Treatment

Draining or removing them can relieve your pain, clear the infection, and reduce the chance they come back. It also lowers your risk of scarring and helps your skin look normal again.

Schedule A Private Assessment

We invite you to schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Lauren. Every patient receives our complete attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, squeezing can increase inflammation, worsening the swelling and pain, and cause scarring.

It depends on individual cases. Antibiotics can be helpful if there is secondary bacterial infection and are often also used to decrease inflammation.

Yes, some cysts can recur if the underlying lining of the sac is not fully removed.

The area is numbed first, so you should feel little to no pain after the area is anesthetized.

You should seek medical attention if the bump grows fast, is very painful, or you have a fever.

Get In Touch

Have questions? Or want to speak with an expert first?