Print Overview Epidermoid cyst Enlarge image Close Epidermoid cyst Epidermoid cyst Illustration of epidermoid cyst on different skin colors. Epidermoid cysts occur most often on the face, neck and trunk. Epidermoid (ep-ih-DUR-moid) cysts are noncancerous small bumps beneath the skin. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most common on the face, neck and trunk. Epidermoid cysts are slow growing and often painless, so they rarely cause problems or need treatment. You might choose to have a cyst removed by a doctor if its appearance bothers you or if it's painful, ruptured or infected. Many people refer to epidermoid cysts as sebaceous cysts, but they're different. True sebaceous cysts are less common. They arise from the glands that secrete oily matter that lubricates hair and skin (sebaceous glands). Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsEpidermoid cyst signs and symptoms include: A small, round bump under the skin, usually on the face, neck or trunk A tiny blackhead plugging the central opening of the cyst A thick, yellow, smelly material that sometimes drains from the cyst Redness, swelling and tenderness in the area, if inflamed or infected When to see a doctorMost epidermoid cysts don't cause problems or need treatment. See your doctor if you have one or more that: Grows rapidly Ruptures or becomes painful or infected Occurs in a spot that's constantly irritated Bothers you for cosmetic reasons Is in an unusual location, such as a finger and toe Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 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You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThe surface of your skin (epidermis) is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that your body continuously sheds. Most epidermoid cysts form when these cells move deeper into your skin and multiply rather than slough off. Sometimes the cysts form due to irritation or injury of the skin or the most superficial portion of a hair follicle. The epidermal cells form the walls of the cyst and then secrete the protein keratin into the interior. The keratin is the thick, yellow substance that sometimes drains from the cyst. This abnormal growth of cells may be due to a damaged hair follicle or oil gland in your skin. Many people refer to epidermoid cysts as sebaceous cysts, but they're different. True sebaceous cysts are less common. They arise from the glands that secrete oily matter that lubricates hair and skin (sebaceous glands). Risk factorsNearly anyone can develop one or more epidermoid cysts, but these factors make you more susceptible: Being past puberty Having certain rare genetic disorders Injuring the skin ComplicationsPotential complications of epidermoid cysts include: Inflammation. An epidermoid cyst can become tender and swollen, even if it's not infected. An inflamed cyst is difficult to remove. Your doctor is likely to postpone removing it until the inflammation subsides. Rupture. A ruptured cyst often leads to a boil-like infection that requires prompt treatment. Infection. Cysts can become infected and painful (abscessed). Skin cancer. In very rare cases, epidermoid cysts can lead to skin cancer. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment April 25, 2023 Print Show references Goldstein BG, et al. Overview of benign lesions of the skin. https://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 3, 2017. Goldsmith LA, et al., eds. Benign epithelial tumors, hamartomas and hyperplasias. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com. Accessed April 3, 2017. Bolognia JL, et al., eds. Cysts. In: Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 3, 2017. Higgins JC, et al. Diagnosing common benign skin tumors. American Family Physician. 2015;92:601. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 7, 2017. Related Epidermoid cyst Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Epidermoid cystsSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry