Will My Cyst Keep Growing If I Don’t Have It Drained or Removed?

Does that small bump you noticed under your skin a few months ago seem a little bigger now? Or has it started to feel more tender and irritated? 

It’s likely a cyst, and usually there’s no reason to be concerned. But if you’re noticing changes, it’s natural to wonder what your best course of action is. 

The answer depends on the type of cyst and what’s causing it. Some cysts remain unchanged for years, while others gradually grow larger over time. Sometimes, they’ll flare up and become inflamed, infected, or so uncomfortable that they require treatment. 

So where does your cyst land on that spectrum? Our expert team at Sanford Dermatology is here to help you figure it out. 

Skin cyst basics

A skin cyst is a sac-like pocket beneath the skin that contains fluid, oil, keratin, or other material. One of the most common types we see is an epidermoid cyst, sometimes called a sebaceous cyst.

These growths often develop when skin cells become trapped beneath the surface instead of shedding normally. Over time, those cells continue producing keratin, causing the cyst to slowly fill and expand.

Skin cysts can appear almost anywhere on the body or head, but they’re especially common on the face, neck, scalp, back, and chest.

Will my cyst keep growing?

Perhaps. But it’s not as frightening as it sounds. Cysts usually grow very slowly, making it difficult even to notice changes from week to week. Most stay the same size for long periods. 

Unfortunately, there’s no reliable way for us to predict exactly what an individual cyst will do.

Some cysts stay pea-sized for years. Others gradually grow large enough to become visible through clothing, interfere with shaving, cause discomfort, or become cosmetically bothersome.

It’s important to note, however, that cysts don’t typically disappear on their own. Once the cyst wall has formed, it often continues producing material inside the cyst — and there’s always the potential for growth over time.

Why did my cyst grow?

Skin cyst growth can happen for several reasons. 

The cyst may simply have continued filling gradually until the change became noticeable. In other cases, irritation, trauma, or inflammation can cause the area to swell quickly.

Sometimes a skin cyst becomes inflamed without being infected. Other times, bacteria enter and infect the cyst, leading to redness, tenderness, warmth, and rapid enlargement. When this happens, the cyst can become more difficult to ignore.

The dangers of bathroom surgery

While it may be tempting to squeeze, poke, or attempt to drain a cyst at home, doing so can create bigger problems. Home drainage attempts can:

• Increase the risk of infection
• Cause inflammation and scarring
• Leave part of the cyst behind
• Make cyst recurrence more likely

Even if material comes out, the cyst lining often remains under the skin. When that happens, the cyst frequently returns. Think of it like pulling weeds without removing the roots — the problem typically comes back.

Draining a cyst vs. removing it

Draining a cyst and removing a cyst are two different treatments.

If a cyst is inflamed, painful, or infected, we may recommend draining it to relieve pressure and provide quick symptom relief. However, draining alone doesn’t usually remove the cyst wall.

Complete surgical cyst removal involves taking out the entire growth, including its lining. This is generally the most effective way to prevent the cyst from returning.

The best treatment for you depends on the size of your skin cyst, its location, whether it’s infected, and your symptoms.

Do you need a dermatologist?

Not every cyst requires immediate treatment; however, it’s a good idea to schedule an evaluation if your skin cyst:

• Continues growing
• Becomes painful or tender
• Looks red or inflamed
• Drains material or has an odor
• Interferes with daily activities
• Bothers you cosmetically
• Frequently comes back

We can confirm that the bump is actually a cyst and discuss the best treatment options for your situation. The sooner we evaluate the area, the easier it often is to determine whether monitoring, drainage, or complete removal is the best next step. 

For expert cyst evaluation and care, schedule a visit at your nearest Sanford Dermatology office in Sanford, Pittsboro, or Lillington, North Carolina, today.