Pilar cysts develop from hair follicles and are benign, though they do occur occasionally. Pilar cysts typically manifest on the scalp. However, they can also appear on the face, neck, limbs, and feet. Some people refer to pilar cysts as trichilemmal cysts or wens. Medical professionals do pilar cyst removal surgically.
What is a pilar cyst?
Pilar cysts are benign growths that can develop in your hair follicles; they are uncommon but not harmful. Although pilar cysts typically manifest on the scalp, they can appear on other body parts, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Some people refer to pilar cysts as trichilemmal cysts or wens. Typically, trichilemmal cysts do not cause pain. If they burst without your intervention, if you attempt to pop them, or if they begin to press against your skull, you may experience pain. Medical professionals surgically remove cysts.
What are the key differences between pilar cysts and sebaceous cysts?
Pilar cysts and sebaceous cysts are often mistaken for one another. However, there are quite a few distinctions between the two:
The pilar cysts develop on the scalp as an outgrowth of the hair follicles. You can find sebaceous glands, which produce some of the oil on your skin, just about everywhere. When these glands increase, they can cause sebaceous cysts to form. Keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and nail cells, fills trichilemmal cysts. Pilar cysts, on the other hand, are spherical, smooth, and can enlarge to significant sizes. Sebaceous cysts are small, dome-shaped structures with an extremely small orifice at the top. When squeezed, the cyst will release sebum.
Treatment for pilar cysts
Frequently, cysts will naturally cure. A clean, warm washcloth applied to a cyst can help alleviate swelling and speed up healing.
To treat an infected pilar cyst, a doctor will typically recommend antibiotics.
Collecting cysts isn’t always a must. Some people opt not to be treated for cysts if they aren’t experiencing any symptoms.
Removal
The pilar cyst is most commonly found on the scalp; thus, it can be uncomfortable to catch when styling or brushing your hair. It is possible to remove a cyst if it is causing pain.
Before doing pilar cyst removal, a patient will be given a local anesthetic. Two approaches are available for elimination:
- Creating a little incision to remove fluid from the cyst
- Taking away the cyst in its entirety
In most cases, the operation takes very little time and does not need spending the night in a medical facility.
After a doctor removes a cyst, a bandage is typically used. It’s best not to get the dressing wet when dealing with an injured region.
Conclusion
Pilar cysts typically develop in the area surrounding the scalp’s hair follicles. These are typically innocuous and do not transmit any disease. When infected, they can be rather painful. Medications are typically prescribed by doctors in such cases. They can transform into tumors in extremely rare instances. Cancer is seldom an issue. Multiple pilar cysts can exist in a single individual, and they can reappear or go away. The majority of cysts don’t hurt and go away on their own. A doctor might perform a straightforward operation for pilar cyst removal if deemed essential. Future cysts may form, or the cyst may return to its original site.