what causes cysts

Cysts vs Boils – Which Is It ?

What’s the Difference and Should you Worry

Cysts and boils are both types of skin conditions, but they have different causes, characteristics, and treatments.

Cysts:

  • Definition: Cysts are closed sacs filled with fluid, pus, or other material. They can develop in various tissues in the body, including the skin.
  • Causes: Cysts can result from infections, clogged sebaceous glands, or the development of certain diseases. They may also appear due to genetic conditions.
  • Characteristics: Cysts are usually painless, slow-growing, and can be felt as a lump beneath the skin. They may have a specific wall that contains the contents.
  • Treatment: Many cysts do not require treatment if they are asymptomatic. If they become painful, infected, or cosmetically concerning, surgical removal or drainage may be necessary.

Boils:

  • Definition: Boils, also known as furuncles, are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under the skin due to bacterial infection, typically involving hair follicles.
  • Causes: The most common cause is a bacterial infection (usually Staphylococcus aureus). They can develop from ingrown hairs, friction, or other forms of skin irritation.
  • Characteristics: Boils are often red, swollen, and painful. They usually occur suddenly and can increase in size over a few days before eventually rupturing and draining pus.
  • Treatment: Treatment may include warm compresses to help drainage, antibiotics if the infection is severe, or surgical drainage by a healthcare provider.

Should You Worry?

  • Cysts: Generally, if a cyst is not causing discomfort or affecting your daily life, it may not be a cause for concern. However, if it becomes painful, inflamed, or grows rapidly, you should consult a healthcare provider.
  • Boils: While some boils may resolve on their own, it’s advisable to see a doctor if they are recurrent, very painful, accompanied by fever, or if you have multiple boils, as this may indicate a more serious infection or underlying health issues.

In summary, while both conditions can be benign, persistent or troubling symptoms warrant a consultation with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.

Skin Surgery Laser Clinics

Cosmedics’ Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer assessment of troublesome skin ‘lumps and bumps’ of all types.

Their private London and Bristol clinics offer private cyst removal and mole removal using the latest surgical techniques including laser treatment.

Our team of qualified and experienced doctors and surgeons also treat other skin blemishes, including sebaceous cysts, skin tags, warts and lipoma using  freezing, laser or surgical techniques.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was founded in 2003 by Dr Ross Perry, a qualified and experienced London GP who has an excellent reputation in skin treatments and has removed thousands of lesions/blemishes in his career.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.