SCALP CYST (PILAR CYST)
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.
Pilar Cysts:
- Are a sac filled with dead skin cells and can develop anywhere on the skin"s surface including the scalp.
- Usually look like a round "lump" under the skin.
- May range in diameter from the size of a pea to a tennis ball.
- Sometimes the opening of the cyst is visible as a tiny pore in the skin.
- May get gradually larger with time and do not disappear spontaneously.
- Are often genetic with other people in the family affected with scalp cysts.
- Are often multiple with several lesions developing over the course of a lifetime.
- Are not due to diet.
- Are not collections of fat tissue.
- Are not due to an "Ingrown Hair".
- If you are not certain whether a cyst is normal or not you should show it to your doctor.
- Do not squeeze out the contents of a cyst. This often causes the cyst to rupture, increases the risk of infection, causes scarring and makes surgical removal at a later date much more difficult.
Surgical Removal:
- The skin around the cyst is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- It is not necessary to shave the scalp during the procedure.
- The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
- The cyst is opened and then the contents and the wall of the cyst are removed.
- As the area is numb from the anesthetic, this process is not painful.
- Stitches are used to close the opening.
- Antibiotic cream is applied to the wound.
- Bandages are not necessary.
- The day after surgery, a small amount of antibiotic should be be applied. This should occur twice daily until the stitches are removed.
- Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection. The doctor should be informed immediately.
- The stitches are removed in 7 to 10 days.
- The removal of stitches is painless.
- You may bathe, shower and do your normal activities unless the cyst that has been removed is very large and there is a risk of the wound being damaged. The doctor will inform you about this.
- There is a small chance that the cyst could grow back.
- There is no cream at this time that will remove cysts.
- There is no way to prevent a cyst from developing.
- Removal of benign (non-cancerous) cysts is not covered by OHIP or private health insurance.
- A referral from a doctor is necessary to make your first appointment.
What if you are interested to learn more?
For your convenience, the services above are available in my office.
What if you are interested to learn more?
If you would like to learn more:
- E-Mail Us
- Or give us a call at 905-549-1025