Skin Disorders

Skin disorders cover a wide range of conditions, some benign, some very serious, and some even a sign of another underlying illness. A skin disorder not only affects your physical health, but also your emotional well-being.

Skin Care › Skin Disorders › Dermoid Cysts

Dermoid Cysts Treatment (Pictures)

Dermoid cysts are non-cancerous tumours that may occur anywhere in the body. When they affect the skin these cysts are made up of skin cells, hair follicles, and sweat glands. Dermoid cysts in the skin occur mostly on the face (outer eyebrow, eyelid, upper nose), neck, or scalp. They are usually firm dough-like lumps that range in size from 0.5 to 6 cm in diameter. They can be associated with a nearby pit and/or sinus tract to underlying tissues. The cyst may remain small for years or slowly grow larger. Although such cysts are not dangerous, it may eventually need to be removed (excised) by a doctor.

Causes of Dermoid Cysts A dermoid cyst is a congenital defect (present from birth) that occurs during embryonic development when the skin layers do not properly grow together. A dermoid cyst is lined with epithelium, which contains tissues and cells normally present in skin layers, including hair follicles, sebaceous (skin oil), and sweat glands. These glands and tissues secrete their normal substances which collect inside the cyst, causing it to grow and enlarge.

Signs and symptoms of Dermoid Cysts

Symptoms depend on the location and are, usually, that of any other mass lesion. Symptoms may include a small, often painless, lump in the mid-line of the neck (in which the skin over the lump can easily be moved). The lump may be skin-colored, or may have a slight yellow tinge.

The symptoms of a dermoid cyst may resemble other neck masses or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

Dermoid Cysts Diagnosis

A noninvasive imaging scan, such as an ultrasound or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, can help distinguish between a simple cyst and a tumor, which could be cancerous. If your doctor suspects a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis), he or she may suggest an ultrasound of your leg or other tests to exclude the possibility of a blood clot.

Treatment for Dermoid Cysts

Dermoid cysts are usually removed surgically by excision biopsy . Prior to surgery, they may be investigated with ultrasound scan to determine the extent of underlying tissue involvement. If there is a nearby sinus tract, this is often explored using a sinogram.

Dermoid cysts are almost always curable by surgical removal. On a rare occasion tissue within a lesion is hormonally active ( struma ovarii ) or undergoes secondary malignant degeneration. Those rare tumors which are malignant usually contain squamous cell carcinoma . If the dermoid cyst is located in the facial region, the surgeon will perform a procedure most likely with the aid of an endoscopic tool. This way the surgeon will be able to prevent scarring as much as possible by using an endoscopy.

Tips on preventing and treating Dermoid Cysts

• After the removal, keep your bandage clean and dry. You may change it after 24 hours. If it sticks, use warm water to gently loosen it. Pat the area dry with a clean towel before putting on another bandage.
• Do not go swimming or soak the area where the cyst was removed.
• Do not bump or overuse the area where the cyst was removed.