Cyst Removal

Cyst removal is a procedure that treats fluid-filled bumps under your skin. Your provider can help you choose the safest option, like drainage or removal surgery. Most people recover quickly and feel better fast. There’s a risk that the cyst may fill back up after some procedures.

Overview Procedure Details Recovery and Outlook

Cyst removal is a procedure that takes out a fluid-filled pocket (cyst) under your skin. Cysts can appear anywhere on your body. They’re noncancerous (benign) and don’t require treatment unless they’re bothersome. Some go away on their own, but others need treatment.

Most cyst removals are quick and simple. There are different ways to remove it so it doesn’t come back.

Never try to pop or cut out a cyst at home. This can cause infection or scarring. Always have a medical provider remove it.

There are two common ways to remove a cyst:

  • Drainage: Your provider drains the fluid or material from the cyst. It could help if you have an infection. It’s not a permanent fix, and the cyst may come back later.
  • Surgery: Your provider removes the entire cyst from under your skin, including the lining (sac). This lowers the chance of it coming back.

Most cysts aren’t painful. But sometimes, a healthcare provider will recommend removing a cyst. This can be to check for problems or stop future issues.

You may need a cyst removed if it:

  • Hurts or feels uncomfortable.
  • Is infected
  • Makes it hard to move or do daily activities.
  • Makes you feel self-conscious about how you look.

Dermatologists (skin doctors) can remove cysts on or near the surface of your skin. Other healthcare providers can also remove cysts. This depends on where they are in your body.

Dermatologists can remove several kinds of cysts, including:

  • Dermoid cysts: These form when tissue gets trapped under your skin. They may contain hair, teeth or nerves.
  • Epidermal inclusion cysts: These form when a protein called keratin and dead skin cells build up under your skin.
  • Pilar cysts: These grow from hair follicles, usually on your scalp.

Orthopedic surgeons and doctors remove other types of cysts. These include:

  • Ganglion cysts: These form as fluid-filled bumps near joints or tendons.
  • Digital mucinous cysts: These are small sacs of joint fluid that grow near knuckles or at the base of fingernails and toenails.

Before the procedure, you’ll meet with your provider. They’ll go over your medical history and review the site to confirm it’s a cyst.

Tell them about any medicines or supplements you take. Some can cause extra bleeding. Your provider may ask you to stop or change them before the procedure. But this usually isn’t necessary.

They’ll give you specific instructions to follow on the day of the procedure. These may include:

  • Don’t put lotion near the cyst
  • Wear comfortable clothes

You probably won’t need to stop eating the night before (fasting). But always check with your provider.

If you still have questions, this is a good time to ask.

The steps vary slightly based on the type. They’re typically outpatient procedures. This means you can go home the same day.

Cyst drainage

During a cyst drainage, your provider will:

  1. Clean your skin
  2. Inject a local anesthetic around the cyst so you won’t feel pain
  3. Make a small cut in your skin over the cyst
  4. Drain the cyst from the opening they made
  5. Cover the opening with gauze and a bandage

Cyst removal surgery

During cyst removal surgery, your provider will:

  1. Clean your skin
  2. Inject a local anesthetic around the cyst
  3. Make a cut in your skin based on the size of the cyst
  4. Remove the entire cyst in one piece
  5. Close the cut in your skin with stitches and a bandage

You may feel a quick pinch or sting when your provider gives you a local anesthetic shot. After that, you shouldn’t feel pain. You might feel some pressure or movement as they remove the cyst, but it shouldn’t hurt.

A cyst removal could take between 30 minutes and an hour or more. This depends on the size and location of the cyst. Your provider will give you the best time estimate.

If a cyst is painful, affects your movement or makes you feel self-conscious, removing it can help. Some cysts also need treatment if there’s an infection. Infections can lead to serious problems if not treated right away. Removing the cyst can help prevent these issues.

The procedure is quick, and recovery doesn’t take long.

While cyst removal is a safe procedure, it does come with possible risks, although they’re uncommon. These include:

  • Bacterial infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Scarring.

Some cysts can come back, especially after drainage. This happens when the sac or lining isn’t fully removed. If the sac is still there, the cyst can fill up again over time.

After your provider removes the cyst, your skin needs time to heal. This is especially true if you have stitches or a larger cut. Follow your provider’s instructions to keep the area clean and dry.

Avoid a lot of exercise or contact sports until your provider clears you.

Expect some mild pain or swelling after the procedure. Your provider may recommend taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine.

You may have a follow-up visit scheduled for seven to 10 days after surgery. This is to remove stitches and check in with your healing progress.

Recovery time after cyst removal can vary. Small cysts that don’t need stitches usually heal in a few days to a couple of weeks. Larger cysts with bigger cuts may take several weeks or even months to fully heal.

If you have a cyst that’s painful, uncomfortable or embarrassing, let your provider know. They may recommend removal.

After the procedure, if you notice the following symptoms, contact your provider:

  • Bleeding or loose stitches.
  • Fever.
  • Pus or stinky drainage from the surgery site.
  • Severe pain.
  • Skin discoloration.
  • de Mendonça JCG, Jardim ECG, Dos Santos CM, et al. Epidermoid Cyst: Clinical and Surgical Case Report (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5502506/). Ann Maxillofac Surg. 2017 Jan;7(1):151-154. Accessed 6/26/2025.
  • Merck Manual Professional Version. Cutaneous Cysts (https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/benign-skin-tumors-growths-and-vascular-lesions/cutaneous-cysts). Last reviewed 9/2023. Accessed 6/26/2025.
  • National Library of Medicine (U.S.). Cyst (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003240.htm). Last updated10/9/2024. Accessed 6/26/2025.
  • Victoria State Government, Better Health Channel (Australia). Cysts (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cysts). Last updated 11/20/2024. Accessed 6/26/2025.
  • Zito PM, Scharf R. Epidermoid Cyst (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499974/). 2023 Aug 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Accessed 6/26/2025.
  • Zuber TJ. Minimal excision technique for epidermoid (sebaceous) cysts (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11996426/). Am Fam Physician. 2002 Apr 1;65(7):1409-12, 1417-8, 1420. Accessed 6/26/2025.

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