What is a sebaceous cyst?
Short answer
A sebaceous cyst is a common name for a skin cyst, often an epidermoid cyst: a closed sac beneath the skin filled with keratin rather than liquid sebum.
This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.
At a glance
- Common term
- Sebaceous cyst often refers to an epidermoid cyst
- Typical contents
- Keratin and shed skin cells within a sac
- Important limit
- A skin lump cannot be identified reliably by name alone
How it may look and feel
These cysts can appear as smooth, rounded lumps in the skin and may move slightly under gentle pressure. Some have a small central opening or dark point. They may stay quiet for a long time, then become swollen, tender, or red when irritated or inflamed. The label sebaceous cyst is widely used, although the contents of an epidermoid cyst come from skin cells and keratin. A clinician may need to examine a lump because several skin conditions can resemble one.
What you can do
Leave the lump alone rather than squeezing, piercing, or cutting it. Gentle washing and reducing friction can protect the surrounding skin. If it opens without help, cover the area with clean gauze and arrange advice if fluid continues or the skin becomes more inflamed. A clinician can discuss observation, steroid injection for selected inflammation, abscess drainage when needed, or removal of the complete cyst wall if symptoms or recurrence make that appropriate.
When to have it examined
Arrange medical review for a new, persistent, rapidly enlarging, painful, hot, red, bleeding, or draining lump. Prompt care is especially appropriate with fever, spreading redness, or marked swelling. Seek assessment even without pain if the lump is hard, fixed, or unlike your other skin lumps. A diagnosis should come from an examination rather than a photograph or home test.
Questions for your doctor
Does the examination support an epidermoid cyst? Is it inflamed or infected? Would monitoring be enough, or should we discuss removal and wound care?
Find care
General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi
That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.
27 Ar Ruwwad St - Shakhbout City - MSH4 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, MetLife +20 more
Al Ruwais, Al Dhafrah
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +16 more
Al Bahyah - Al Bahyah Old - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, Allianz Care +18 more
Abu Dhabi
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +27 more
Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.
A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.
Questions people ask
Is a sebaceous cyst filled with sebum?
The term is common, but many so-called sebaceous cysts are epidermoid cysts filled mainly with keratin and shed skin cells.
Can a sebaceous cyst disappear by itself?
It may settle or flatten temporarily, but the cyst wall can remain and the lump may return; a clinician can explain suitable options.
Related
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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.