From the Guidelines
The preferred treatment for a sebaceous cyst on the labia is incision, thorough evacuation of the pus, and probing the cavity to break up loculations, as this approach is effective in treating cutaneous abscesses and inflamed epidermoid cysts, which are often mistakenly referred to as sebaceous cysts. According to the practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections 1, this method is usually sufficient, and gram stain, culture, and systemic antibiotics are rarely necessary.
Some key points to consider when treating a sebaceous cyst on the labia include:
- Avoid attempting to squeeze or drain the cyst at home, as this can lead to infection
- Applying warm compresses to the area for 10-15 minutes several times daily may help reduce discomfort and inflammation
- Maintaining good hygiene by gently washing the area with mild soap and water is important
- If the cyst becomes infected, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, but this is not usually necessary
- After treatment, keeping the area clean and dry, and following post-operative care instructions carefully is crucial for proper healing.
It's worth noting that the term "sebaceous cyst" is often used incorrectly to refer to epidermoid cysts, which contain skin flora in the cheesy keratinous material, even when uninflamed 1. Effective treatment of these cysts entails incision, evacuation of the pus, and probing the cavity, rather than simply covering the area or using systemic antibiotics.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Sebaceous Cyst on Labia
- The preferred treatment for a sebaceous cyst on the labia is surgical excision 2, 3, 4.
- There are different techniques for excising sebaceous cysts, including conventional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision 2, 4.
- A new method proposed involves using a laser to make a small hole for removal of the content, followed by removal of the cyst wall with a minimal excision about 1 month later 2.
- This method offers a good alternative for eradication of uninfected cysts, especially large cysts or cysts located in areas of thick skin or cosmetic concern 2.
- Single-prick local anesthesia can be used for sebaceous cyst excision to minimize patient discomfort 5.
- Histopathological examination is not always necessary for clinically diagnosed benign skin and subcutaneous lesions like sebaceous cysts, unless there are red flag signs or unusual findings 6.
Considerations for Treatment
- The clinical accuracy in the diagnosis of sebaceous cysts is 72.7%, and the occurrence of malignancy in these lesions is extremely low 6.
- Lesions like lipoma, sebaceous cyst, corn, and callus can be discarded without histopathological examination in the absence of red flag signs 6.
- Surgical excision is the preferred treatment for sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma, and sebaceous carcinoma, which are related to sebaceous glands 3.