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 harmless small bumps beneath the skin. They 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 if it bothers you, breaks open, or is painful or infected.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsEpidermoid cyst signs and symptoms include: A small, round bump under the skin, often on the face, neck or trunk A tiny blackhead plugging the central opening of the cyst A thick, smelly, cheesy substance that leaks from the cyst An inflamed or infected bump When to see a doctorMost epidermoid cysts don't cause problems or need treatment. See your healthcare professional if you have a cyst that: Grows or multiplies rapidly. Breaks open. Is painful or infected. Is in a spot that keeps getting scratched or bumped. Bothers you because of how it looks. Is in an unusual spot, such as a finger or toe. Request an appointment 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 Address 1 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 CausesThe surface of the skin, also called the epidermis, is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that the body sheds nonstop. Most epidermoid cysts form when these cells move deeper into the skin rather than shed. Sometimes this type of cyst forms due to irritation or injury of the skin or a hair follicle. Epidermal cells form the walls of the cyst and then secrete the protein keratin into it. Keratin is the thick, cheesy substance that can leak from the cyst. Risk factorsAnyone can develop an epidermoid cyst, but these factors make it more likely: Being past puberty. Having a rare, inherited condition called Gardner syndrome. Injuring the skin. ComplicationsPotential complications of epidermoid cysts include: Inflammation. An epidermoid cyst can become painful and swollen, even if it's not infected. An inflamed cyst is hard to remove. Your doctor is likely to postpone removing a cyst until the inflammation subsides. Rupture. A cyst that breaks open can lead to a boil-like infection that needs prompt treatment. Skin cancer. In rare cases, epidermoid cysts can lead to skin cancer. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment March 27, 2024 Print Show references James WD, et al. Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts. In: Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 1, 2022. Bolognia JL, et al. Cysts. In: Dermatology Essentials. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 1, 2022. Higgins JC, et al. Diagnosing common benign skin tumors. American Family Physician. 2015;92:601. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 6, 2022. Goldstein AO, et al. Overview of benign lesions of the skin. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 1, 2022. Kang S, et al., eds. Benign epithelial tumors, hamartomas, and hyperplasias. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology. 9th ed. McGraw Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine. mhmedical.com. Accessed March 1, 2022. Related Epidermoid cyst Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book 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. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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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 Address 1 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