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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour family doctor or general practitioner will likely be able to diagnose an epidermoid cyst based on its appearance. In some cases, however, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down your key medical information, including other conditions for which you've been treated and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're taking, including vitamins and supplements. Your doctor will want to know whether you've ever had acne — with or without cysts — that required treatment, and whether you have a family history of severe acne or multiple cysts.
- Note any recent injuries to your skin, including accidental wounds or scrapes as well as any surgical procedures.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor about epidermoid cysts. If any additional questions occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask.
- Do I have an epidermoid cyst?
- What causes this type of cyst?
- Is the cyst infected?
- What treatment approach do you recommend, if any?
- Will I have a scar after treatment?
- Am I at risk of this condition recurring?
- Is there anything I can do to help prevent a recurrence?
- Do epidermoid cysts increase my risk of other health problems?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first notice this skin growth?
- Have you noticed any other skin growths?
- Have you had similar growths in the past? If so, on what part of your body?
- Have you had severe acne with cysts?
- Is the growth causing any discomfort?
- Is the growth causing concerns about your appearance?
- Have you recently had any skin injuries, including minor scrapes?
- Have you recently had a surgical procedure in the affected area?
- Does a tendency to form cysts run in your family?
- What else concerns you?
What you can do in the meantime
In the time leading up to your appointment, resist the urge to try to squeeze or "pop" your cyst. Your doctor will be able to take care of the cyst with the least risk of scarring and infection.
- Lynch PJ. Vulvar neoplasms and cysts. In: Black M, et al. Obstetric and Gynecologic Dermatology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3445-0..10023-2--s0020&uniq=130671532&isbn=978-0-7234-3445-0&sid=827482137#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3445-0..10023-2%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3445-0. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Benign neoplasms of the skin. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Epidermal cysts. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch127/ch127c.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Benign skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130671532-17/0/1195/141.html?tocnode=51442353&fromURL=141.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Epithelial cysts and sinuses. In: James WD, et al. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-2921-6..50033-0--cesec136&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-2921-6..50033-0--cesec137&uniq=130671532&isbn=978-0-7216-2921-6&sid=827486768#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-2921-6..50033-0--cesec136%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7216-2921-6. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Pisharodi L, et al. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy. In: Gnepp DR. A Diagnostic Surgical Pathology of the Head and Neck. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2589-4..00015-2--s0360&uniq=130671532&isbn=978-1-4160-2589-4&sid=827488065#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2589-4..00015-2%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-1-4160-2589-4. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Dermatologic procedures. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Penneys NS, et al. Common benign cutaneous growths: Seborrheic keratoses, cherry hemangiomas, and epidermoid cysts. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education/students/benign_cutan_growths.htm. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 16, 2009.
