What are epidermoid cysts and how do they form on the neck. What are the common symptoms of neck cysts. What causes small cysts to develop on the neck. How are epidermoid cysts on the neck diagnosed and treated. Are small cysts on the neck a cause for concern.

What Are Epidermoid Cysts and How Do They Form on the Neck?

Epidermoid cysts are small, benign growths that can develop under the skin, including on the neck. They form when epidermal cells, which normally live on the skin’s surface, move deeper into the skin and multiply. These cells form the wall of the cyst and secrete keratin, a protein that fills the cyst.

Epidermoid cysts typically appear as small, round lumps under the skin. On the neck, they often develop along the hairline or in areas where there are many oil glands. While they can occur at any age, they are most common in young and middle-aged adults.

Key characteristics of epidermoid cysts:

• Usually painless unless infected
• Slow-growing
• Can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter
• May have a small, dark “punctum” or opening on the surface
• Can emit a foul-smelling, cheese-like substance if squeezed

Common Symptoms of Neck Cysts: What to Look Out For

Recognizing the symptoms of neck cysts is crucial for early detection and proper management. While many neck cysts, including epidermoid cysts, are asymptomatic, some may present with noticeable signs.

Typical symptoms of neck cysts include:

1. A visible or palpable lump on the neck
2. Smooth, round, and mobile mass under the skin
3. Slow growth over time
4. Occasional tenderness or discomfort
5. Redness or warmth if infected
6. Discharge if the cyst ruptures

Can neck cysts cause pain? While most epidermoid cysts are painless, they can become painful if infected or inflamed. In such cases, the surrounding skin may become red, swollen, and tender to touch. If you experience persistent pain or rapid growth of a neck cyst, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional promptly.

What Causes Small Cysts to Develop on the Neck?

Understanding the causes of small cysts on the neck can help in prevention and management. While the exact cause of epidermoid cysts is not always clear, several factors can contribute to their development.

Common causes and risk factors for neck cysts include:

• Blocked hair follicles or oil glands
• Skin trauma or injury
• Genetic predisposition
• Certain skin conditions like acne
• Hormonal changes
• UV radiation exposure

Is there a connection between neck cysts and lifestyle factors? While lifestyle doesn’t directly cause epidermoid cysts, certain habits can increase the risk of developing them. Poor hygiene, excessive sun exposure, and frequent skin irritation can contribute to cyst formation. Maintaining good skin care practices and protecting your skin from damage may help reduce the likelihood of developing neck cysts.

Diagnosing Epidermoid Cysts on the Neck: Medical Approaches

Accurate diagnosis of neck cysts is essential for appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers use various methods to identify and characterize epidermoid cysts and distinguish them from other types of neck lumps.

Diagnostic procedures may include:

1. Physical examination
2. Medical history review
3. Ultrasound imaging
4. Fine needle aspiration
5. Biopsy in rare cases

How do doctors differentiate epidermoid cysts from other neck lumps? Epidermoid cysts have distinct characteristics that help doctors distinguish them from other types of neck masses. These include their smooth, round shape, mobility under the skin, and the presence of a small opening or “punctum” on the surface. In some cases, imaging studies like ultrasound can provide additional information about the cyst’s structure and contents.

Treatment Options for Small Cysts on the Neck: From Conservative to Surgical

The treatment of small cysts on the neck depends on various factors, including the size of the cyst, its location, and whether it’s causing any symptoms or complications. While some cysts may not require treatment, others may need medical intervention.

Treatment options for neck cysts include:

• Watchful waiting for asymptomatic cysts
• Warm compresses to reduce inflammation
• Topical or oral antibiotics for infected cysts
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling
• Surgical excision for persistent or problematic cysts
• Laser therapy in some cases

When is surgical removal of neck cysts necessary? Surgical excision is typically recommended for cysts that are large, rapidly growing, painful, or cosmetically bothersome. It’s also necessary if there’s any suspicion of malignancy, although this is rare with epidermoid cysts. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and involves removing the entire cyst, including its wall, to prevent recurrence.

Are Small Cysts on the Neck a Cause for Concern?

While discovering a small cyst on your neck can be alarming, it’s important to understand that most neck cysts, including epidermoid cysts, are benign and pose no serious health risks. However, certain situations may warrant medical attention.

Seek medical advice if you notice:

1. Rapid growth of the cyst
2. Persistent pain or discomfort
3. Signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus)
4. Changes in skin color or texture around the cyst
5. Multiple cysts appearing in a short time

Can neck cysts be a sign of a more serious condition? In rare cases, what appears to be a simple neck cyst could be a sign of a more serious condition. While epidermoid cysts are almost always benign, other types of neck lumps can occasionally be associated with conditions like lymphoma or thyroid cancer. This is why it’s important to have any persistent or changing neck lump evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Prevention and Self-Care for Neck Cysts: Practical Tips

While it’s not always possible to prevent neck cysts, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage existing cysts effectively. Proper skin care and hygiene play a crucial role in maintaining skin health and preventing complications.

Tips for preventing and managing neck cysts:

• Keep your neck clean and dry
• Avoid picking or squeezing existing cysts
• Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure
• Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated
• Manage stress, which can affect skin health
• Use non-comedogenic skin products

How can you safely care for a neck cyst at home? For small, non-inflamed cysts, applying warm compresses can help reduce discomfort and promote drainage. However, it’s crucial to avoid attempting to pop or drain the cyst yourself, as this can lead to infection and scarring. If you’re concerned about a cyst or it’s causing discomfort, consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Neck Cysts

While many neck cysts are harmless and may resolve on their own, certain circumstances require professional medical evaluation. Knowing when to seek help can prevent complications and ensure appropriate treatment.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

1. Sudden or rapid growth of the cyst
2. Severe pain or tenderness
3. Signs of infection (fever, redness, warmth)
4. Difficulty swallowing or breathing
5. Cysts that recur after previous treatment
6. Any neck lump that persists for more than two weeks

What should you expect during a medical evaluation for a neck cyst? During your appointment, the healthcare provider will likely perform a physical examination of the cyst and ask about your medical history. They may also order imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan to get a better look at the cyst’s structure and surrounding tissues. In some cases, a fine needle aspiration or biopsy may be recommended to rule out more serious conditions.

Understanding the nature of small cysts on the neck, particularly epidermoid cysts, can help alleviate concerns and guide appropriate care. While most neck cysts are benign and may not require treatment, it’s important to monitor them for changes and seek medical advice when necessary. By maintaining good skin health practices and staying vigilant about any unusual growths, you can effectively manage and prevent complications associated with neck cysts.

Neck lump: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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A neck lump is any lump, bump, or swelling in the neck.

There are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most common lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes.

Swollen salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. Lumps in the muscles of the neck are caused by injury or spasm of the neck muscles (torticollis). These lumps are often at the front of the neck. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts, such as sebaceous cysts.

The thyroid gland may also produce swelling or one or more lumps. This can be due to thyroid disease or cancer. Most cancers of the thyroid gland grow very slowly. They are often cured with surgery, even if they have been present for several years.

All neck lumps in children and adults should be checked right away by a health care provider. In children, most neck lumps are caused by infections that can be treated. Treatment should start quickly to prevent complications or the spread of infection.

As adults age, the likelihood of the lump being a cancer increases. This is particularly true for people who smoke or drink a lot of alcohol. Most lumps in adults are not cancers.

Lumps in the neck from swollen lymph nodes may be caused by:

• Bacterial or viral infection
• Cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Allergic reaction

Lumps in the neck due to enlarged salivary glands may be caused by:

• Infection
• Mumps
• Salivary gland tumor
• Stone in salivary duct

See your provider to have the cause of the neck lump diagnosed and treated.

Contact your provider if you have an abnormal neck swelling or lumps in your neck.

The provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam.

You may be asked questions such as:

• Where is the lump located?
• Is it a hard lump or a soft, pliable (moves slightly), bag-like (cystic) mass?
• Is it painless?
• Is the entire neck swollen?
• Has it been growing bigger? Over how many months?
• Do you have a rash or other symptoms?
• Do you have difficulty breathing?

If you are diagnosed with a goiter (thyroid gland enlargement), you may need to take medicine or have surgery to remove it.

You may need the following tests if the provider suspects a thyroid nodule or another abnormality in the neck:

• Ultrasound scan of the thyroid and neck tissues
• CT scan of the head or neck
• Radioactive thyroid scan
• Thyroid biopsy
• Lymph node biopsy

If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, you may need to take antibiotics. If the cause is a noncancerous mass or cyst, you may need surgery to remove it.

Lump in the neck

• Lymphatic system
• Neck lump

Bell EB, Nugent A, El-Deiry MW. Differential diagnosis of neck masses. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 113.

Matlock AG, Pfaff JA. Otolaryngology. In: Walls RM. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 58.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Sebaceous Cyst and 6 Other Causes

A bump on the back of your neck can result from a cyst, ingrown hair, or another health condition. If it grows or occurs with other symptoms, you may want to have a doctor examine it.

It can be alarming to find a new bump anywhere on your body. While some lumps can be a cause for concern, a lump on the back of the neck or along your hairline usually isn’t anything serious. It could be anything from an ingrown hair to a swollen lymph node.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes and how to recognize them.

Sebaceous cysts are a common type of cyst that forms in blocked or damaged sebaceous glands. These glands secrete sebum, which is an oily substance that lubricates your skin and hair.

Sebaceous cysts feel like small, soft bumps. They’re usually found on your face, neck, or torso.

In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a sebaceous cyst just by looking at it. However, they may do some additional testing, such as a skin biopsy, if the bump:

• has a diameter larger than 5 centimeters (cm)
• shows signs of infection, such as redness, pain, or pus
• grows back quickly after being removed

While sebaceous cysts are harmless, some people prefer to remove them for cosmetic reasons. If you want to remove a sebaceous cyst, talk to your doctor. They can remove it with a minor surgical procedure.

Ingrown hair

An ingrown hair is a strand of hair that either grows back into itself and reenters your skin or grows under your skin due to a clogged hair follicle. This results in a pimple-like bump around the hair. They’re more common in areas where you regularly remove hair by waxing, shaving, or other methods.

If have short hair, you might get ingrown hairs on the back of your neck, especially along the bottom of your hairline. You might have just one or a cluster of several.

Most ingrown hairs resolve on their own without any treatment. To avoid developing an infection, try not to squeeze or pick at an ingrown hair.

Boil

Boils (also called furuncles) are pus-filled bumps that form under the skin due to bacteria in your hair follicles. While you can have a boil anywhere, they’re common in hairy areas that are exposed to a lot of sweat and friction. This makes the back of your neck particularly vulnerable to boils.

Symptoms of a boil include:

• a painful, pea-sized red lump
• redness and swelling
• an increase in size over a few days
• a white or yellow tip that may drain pus
• tenderness and warmth

For small boils, you can apply a warm compress to help the boil drain. Larger boils, which can grow to be the size of a golf ball, usually need to be drained by a doctor. In some cases, your doctor might also prescribe antibiotics for more severe infections.

Lipoma

A lipoma is a noncancerous, fatty lump that grows slowly, usually between your skin and muscle. You might have one or several. Lipomas are more common in middle-aged people and usually don’t cause any health problems.

While they can grow anywhere, they tend to appear on your neck, shoulders, arms, back, abdomen, or thighs. Lipomas are usually:

• soft and doughy
• easily movable under the skin
• smaller than 5 cm in diameter, though they can grow bigger
• painful if they contain blood vessels or are large enough to put pressure on a nearby nerve

Lipomas don’t require treatment unless they start to cause pain. If you think you might have a lipoma, your doctor may want to do a quick biopsy to make sure it isn’t something else. They can also help you remove a lipoma, usually either with surgery or liposuction.

Acne keloidalis nuchae

Acne keloidalis nuchae is an inflammation of the hair follicle that causes bumps on the back of the neck, along the hairline. It begins with small, itchy bumps that eventually lead to scarring and hair loss. Over time, they turn into keloids, which are large, raised bands of scarring.

The condition is more common in dark-skinned males, particularly those with thick, curly hair. Experts aren’t sure what causes it, but it may be related to:

• close shaving
• constant irritation from sports equipment or shirt collars
• certain medications
• chronic infections
• genetic mutations

Acne keloidalis nuchae is hard to treat. Start by avoiding close shaves and making sure your shirt collar doesn’t run against the back your neck. You can also try washing the area with tar soap.

If keeping the area clean and free of friction doesn’t help, talk to your doctor. They might prescribe antibiotics or corticosteroids. In addition, laser hair removal or surgery can sometimes help.

Swollen posterior cervical lymph node

Your posterior cervical lymph nodes are located near the back of your neck. Several things can cause a swollen posterior cervical lymph node, but the most common cause is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.

Some other common causes of swollen lymph nodes include:

• strep throat
• ear infections
• abscessed tooth
• skin wounds or infections

Less common causes of swollen lymph nodes include:

• HIV
• lupus
• cancer

Depending on the underlying cause, you might also notice additional symptoms, such as:

• pain and tenderness in the lymph node
• runny nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection
• fever
• chills
• night sweats
• multiple swollen lymph nodes throughout your body

If your swollen lymph nodes are due to an underlying infection, they should return to their usual size once the infection clears up. Follow up with your doctor if you can’t determine the cause or notice that the swollen node:

• doesn’t go away after a few weeks
• continues to grow
• is hard and not movable
• is accompanied by a fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphocytes, which are your white blood cells. Swollen lymph nodes are often the first sign of lymphoma. However, according to the American Cancer Society, swollen lymph nodes are much more likely to be a sign of infection than of lymphoma.

Other symptoms of lymphoma include:

• night sweats
• fever
• fatigue
• skin itching
• rash
• unexplained weight loss
• pain when drinking alcohol
• bone pain

Most of the time, a lump on the back of the neck is harmless. However, it’s important to follow up with your doctor right away if you notice:

• symptoms of severe infection, such as an ongoing fever
• a bump that doesn’t go away after two to four weeks
• a lump that’s hard and not moveable
• a lump that grows or changes rapidly
• a lump that’s accompanied by night sweats or unintended weight loss

A lump on the back of the neck is usually not serious, and most go away without any treatment. If you’re concerned or have other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Any lump that remains longer than a couple of weeks should be examined by your doctor.

Perform an operation on the neck in the network of clinics Polyclinika.ru, surgery for a neck cyst in Moscow

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symptoms, causes and methods of treatment of the median and lateral cyst of the neck in Moscow in the Center of Surgery “SM-Clinic”

general information

Classification

Symptoms

Diagnostics

Operations

Expert opinion of a doctor

Rehabilitation

Question answer

General information

A neck cyst is a formation in the form of a cavity, delimited from the surrounding tissues, inside which there is a liquid or mushy content. Pathology refers to benign tumors and is formed in the early stages of embryonic development. In itself, education does not pose a danger to humans, but if the contents become infected, it may suppurate. Also, problems arise when the cyst squeezes nearby vessels and nerves.

Classification of neck cysts

Symptoms

Diagnostics

Detection of the cyst is not difficult because the mass is usually visible to the naked eye. The main task of the doctor is to determine the nature of the structure, since enlarged lymph nodes, malignant tumors, and abscesses may also look similar. To do this, the patient is examined and questioned, palpation of the formation, as well as laboratory and instrumental diagnostics:

• complete blood count with leukocyte formula;
• ultrasound;
• puncture of education with subsequent examination of the contents under a microscope.

If inflammation or compression of the neck structures is suspected, the list of examinations can be extended. Thus, the presence of a fistula allows its probing and the introduction of a contrast agent for subsequent radiography.

Surgery for cysts of the neck

The only way to treat lateral and median cysts of the neck is surgery. During the intervention, the doctor excised the structure along with the capsule. The incision can be located both in the oral cavity and on the skin of the neck. If we are talking about a median cyst, a part of the hyoid bone is excised at the same time, since a specific cord passes there.

In case of festering cysts, the intervention is carried out in two stages. First, the abscess cavity is opened and drained, regular washings are carried out until the inflammatory process subsides completely. After 2-3 months, a repeated intervention is performed aimed at excising the formation.

Removal of fistulas formed from neck cysts requires excision not only of the formation itself, but also of fistulous passages, which may be several.

Doctor’s Expert Opinion

Rehabilitation

In most cases, after removal of the mass, the patient remains in the hospital until the next day, after which he is discharged with detailed recommendations. As a rule, drugs are prescribed: painkillers, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agents. Until the healing of the postoperative wound, physical activity, leaning forward, lifting weights are prohibited. It is also necessary to refrain from visiting baths and saunas, swimming in open or public reservoirs, sunbathing in the sun or in a solarium. The rehabilitation period depends on the size and location of the formation, as well as the presence or absence of inflammatory complications.

Question-answer

The exact causes of the development of lateral and median cysts of the neck are currently unknown. Formations occur against the background of small failures in the formation of tissues during the intrauterine development of the embryo.