I was wondering if the SDopers may have any home remedies or over the counter (OTC) remedies for a sebatious cyst? Even if it is not totally gone, can it at least be drained or reduced in size? - Jinx
As someone whose scalp has produced some very large ones (Pike’s Peak up there is trying to become Mount McKinley), I’m pretty sure the only answer is surgery. Don’t worry, though - it’s a simple, out-patient procedure.
I used to be plagued with them (before I quit eating sugar…but that’s neither here nor there) and the only thing that I was ever told to do - even by the surgeon who had to remove a tennis-ball sized one from my armpit - is to put a wet washcloth in the microwave for a little bit, until it’s as hot as you can stand it without burning your skin, and sit for a while with it pressed on to the cyst. For me, it would cool off pretty quick so unless I wanted to keep re-heating it, I wouldn’t have it on there too long.
That’s supposed to draw the fluid up and out. Not sure where it’s supposed to go from there (I usually ended up breaking mine, which has resulted in a body full of scars).
The only other “remedy” i ever got for them was some kind of antibiotic cream for the ones under my arms. I think I only used the cream once the cysts had been popped or were oozing.
I had one removed from the back of my neck not long ago. They say it was a deep sucker, too. Still, it was an outpatient procedure, and they used a local anesthesia.
I was reccomended the soaking the suckers with hot water thing as well. There are other options apart from surgery available now. The first thing they tried with me was a three month course of anti-biotics, which did the trick. There are also drugs that will work if the anti-biotics don’t.
I wonder if that’s ever been studied? My cyst on my face along the jaw line. I need to shave, and if I cut the thing, I bet it’s gonna bleed like a mini Mt. Saint Helen’s! Well, here goes…ouch! :smack: