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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffNearly anyone can develop one or more epidermoid cysts, but these factors make you more susceptible:
- Being past puberty. Though they can occur at any age, epidermoid cysts rarely appear before puberty.
- Being a man. Men are more likely to have epidermoid cysts.
- Having a history of acne. Epidermoid cysts are especially common in people who've had acne.
- Having significant sun exposure. Milia often occur in men and women with a long history of sun exposure.
- Experiencing skin injuries. Any traumatic or crushing injury to your skin — slamming your hand in a car door, for instance — increases your risk of an epidermoid cyst.
References
- 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.
