The sebaceous cyst is a bump which forms beneath the skin surface and it has foul – smelling, yellowish and oily liquid. Also it can be painful and the area which is affected by them can get swollen. It can be small and large. These cysts are not extremely harmful. There is no possibility to cause long – term damage but the can be source of inconvenience and annoyance. It can affect many parts of the body, including genitals, neck, face and breasts.
They can happen in both men and women and they can affect people from all ages. Men are having more chances of getting sebaceous cysts because they have more body hair than women. These cysts are mostly affecting teens and adolescents but also adults can be affected by them. When the sebaceous gland gets clogged, then it is result in sebaceous cyst. The most common causes for this are shaving or waxing; skin problems; rise in sebum production; surge in testosterone generation in the body; swollen hair follicles.
When it progresses, then the following symptoms can develop: the affected area is warmer than the rest of the body; a foul – smelling liquid that looks like cheese starts oozing out; the skin becomes red, inflamed and swollen; tenderness/soreness in and around the area. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from sebaceous cyst before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition. Here are some home remedies foe sebaceous cysts:
Coconut oil treat sebaceous cyst
Contents
Coconut oil has lauric acid which is possessing antimicrobial properties [1]. This oil is also an emollient and it can soothe the irritated and inflamed skin. You should apply coconut oil on it and let it stay there. You should repeat this natural treatment every few hours until the sebaceous cyst is healed.
Cabbage
You should boil some cabbage leaves in water and then apply it to the sebaceous cyst. You should cover it with a clean and dry washcloth. This is a very effective home remedy for ridding of the sebaceous cyst.
Grapefruit seed extract
A minor amount of this home remedy can kill the microbes. It is possessing antimicrobial properties which are established against many bacteria and fungi. You should apply one drop of grapefruit seed extract on the sebaceous cyst and let it get absorbed for a minute or two. You should wipe off the excess and then cover it with bandage. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day. [2]
Frankincense oil treat sebaceous cyst
This oil has antibacterial and anti – inflammatory properties which are making it a very effective home remedy for sebaceous cyst [3]. Also it is analgesic in nature and it can give you a relief from the pain that you experience. You should mix two to three drops of frankincense oil with one teaspoon of olive oil and let it stay on the affected area. You should let it stay there. You should do this natural treatment three times per day.
Garlic
Garlic is possessing antimicrobial properties. Garlic can help to kill the microbes effectively no matter if the sebaceous cyst was caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infection which leads to skin inflammation and pus accumulation [4]. You should peel two to three garlic cloves and grind them with a little water to get a thick paste. You should apply this natural cure on the sebaceous cyst and then cover it with the bandage. You should let it stay there for fifteen to twenty minutes and then remove the bandage. You should rinse this are with clean water. You should do this natural treatment 3 – 4 times per day and use a fresh bandage every time.
Epsom salt
This home remedy can be used for the treatment of sebaceous cysts because it can eliminate the bacteria which cause their formation. You should fill the bathtub with one cup of Epsom salt and warm water. You should soak in this water for fifteen minutes. Also you can use a small basin or bucket to soak just the sebaceous cyst area. You should soak in this home remedy two times per day so the sebaceous cyst will drain and heal by itself.
Aloe Vera
This herb has natural antibacterial and healing properties [5]. This home remedy was used for ages to treat different skin – related problems in people. You should open an Aloe Vera leaf and extract the gel from it. You should apply this gel directly on the sebaceous cyst and let it stay there for a few hours. You should rinse this away before you reapply the Aloe Vera gel. You should do this natural treatment two times per day. When you apply the Aloe Vera gel, then it cools and soothes the inflamed regions effectively.
Hot compress
This home remedy can help to reduce the pain in the joints and backache but also it can be used as a natural treatment for sebaceous cyst. The warmth can help to reduce the pain that is caused by soreness. This can help the sebaceous cyst to drain and heal. You should use clean and warm water for this natural treatment. You should never use very hot or boiling water. You should dip a cotton ball in the water and apply the warm cotton ball to the sebaceous cyst. You should hold it for a few seconds. You can do this natural treatment several times per day
Turmeric
This home remedy can be easily found and it can be used as a natural treatment for sebaceous cyst. Turmeric has curcumin which can help you to cope with skin inflammation and infection. It has a purifying effect on the blood vessels and it is working on clogged skin pores which lead to the cyst development. You should make a thick paste by mixing one teaspoon of turmeric powder with enough water. [6]
You should apply this home remedy on the sebaceous cyst and let it dry. You should rinse it after an hour or so. Also you can consume this home remedy internally. You can mix a teaspoon of turmeric with a cup of warm milk and drink it before you go to bed.
Witch hazel
This home remedy has excellent astringent properties which can help the skin to be clean from most impurities. Also it has tannins which can eliminate the excess oil from the skin surface and it will stop the clogging of it. You should apply witch hazel directly to the sebaceous cyst and let it dry. You should apply 3 – 4 times per day. [7]
Potato
Potato has glycoalkaloids which are possessing anti – inflammatory properties. Also it has antimicrobial property which can be attributed to protease inhibitors. This is a very effective home remedy for sebaceous cyst removal. You should grate a small raw potato and squeeze the juice from it. You should apply this home remedy on the sebaceous cyst and let it stay there through the night. [8]
Also you can put a potato slice on it, cover it with a washcloth and let it stay there overnight. You should repeat this natural treatment every night before you go to bed until the sebaceous cyst heals.
Castor oil
This home remedy can be used for many different skin problems and it is one of the most effective home remedies for sebaceous cyst. This home remedy can heal the sebaceous cyst and also it can reduce the soreness due to its anti – inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. [9]
Echinacea
You should steep some Echinacea leaves in water for ten minutes and then strain this home remedy. You should let this home remedy to cool and then sip it two to three times per day. This benefit of the Echinacea can increase the blood cells and boost the immune system which in turn will reduce the infection that is caused by sebaceous cyst.
Apple cider vinegar
This home remedy can help you to rid of sebaceous cyst on your skin. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties which can help to heal a sebaceous cyst. Also it is acting as astringent. If you have sensitive skin, then you should dilute the apple cider vinegar with some water and then apply it to the sebaceous cyst. Apply the apple cider vinegar to the sebaceous cyst using a cotton ball. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day.
Tea tree oil
This home remedy has anti – inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This natural cure can help to clear the infection which is causing liquid accumulation and swelling. You should apply tea tree oil directly on the sebaceous cyst and let it stay there. You should reapply it 2 or 3 times per day, especially if you have large sebaceous cysts. [10]
Guava leaves
These leaves have antimicrobial properties which can help to promote quick healing of cyst and they can reduce the itching and inflammation. You should boil some guava leaves in water for fifteen minutes and then strain it. You should use this home remedy to wash the sebaceous cyst. [11]
References:
[1] Shilling M, Matt L, Rubin E, et al. Antimicrobial effects of virgin coconut oil and its medium-chain fatty acids on clostridium difficile. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(12):1079-85.
[2] Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, et al. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002;8(3):333-40.
[3] Su S, Duan J, Chen T, et al. Frankincense and myrrh suppress inflammation via regulation of the metabolic profiling and the MAPK signaling pathway. Scientific Reports. 2015;5:13668.
[4] Nejad ASM, Shabani S, Bayat M, Hosseini SE. Antibacterial effect of garlic aqueous extract on Staphylococcus aureus in hamburger. Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology. 2014;7(11):e13134.
[5] Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019;44(1):1–9.
[6] Vollono L, Falconi M, Gaziano R, et al. Potential of curcumin in skin disorders. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2169.
[7] Thring TSA, Hili P, Naughton DP. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation. 2011;8:27.
[8] Reddivari L. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of potato anthocyanins – role of gut bacteria. Retrieved from portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/1008024-anti-inflammatory-and-anti-oxidant-effects-of-potato-anthocyanins–role-of-gut-bacteria.html
[9] Vieira C, Evangelista S, Cirillo R, et al. Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators of Inflammation. 2000;9(5):223–8.
[10] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50–62.
[11] Dutta S, Das S. A study of the anti-inflammatory effect of the leaves of Psidium guajava Linn. on experimental animal models. Pharmacognosy Research. 2010;2(5):313-7·
