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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.
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Symptoms
Epidermoid 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 doctor
Most 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.
