Earlobe cysts are common, benign, sac-like lumps that form just beneath the skin’s surface. These cysts, often called epidermoid cysts, typically contain dead skin cells and oily debris. While generally harmless, their noticeable presence leads many to consider popping them to remove the visible bump.
What Happens Immediately After Popping
Attempting to pop an earlobe cyst often results in immediate physical sensations and visible outcomes. Sharp, localized pain may occur as pressure is applied. This pressure can cause the cyst to rupture internally, pushing contents into surrounding tissue, rather than draining externally. If the cyst ruptures externally, a thick, often yellowish or white, paste-like substance, sometimes mixed with blood, may emerge.
However, only a fraction of the cyst’s contents typically drains during self-manipulation. The underlying sac, which produces the material, remains intact. This incomplete drainage means the cyst is not truly resolved and can begin to refill with cellular debris. Squeezing can also cause trauma and inflammation to the surrounding skin.
Risks of Self-Intervention
Self-intervention carries several significant risks beyond immediate discomfort. One primary danger is introducing bacteria into the open wound created by popping the cyst. Our hands and skin harbor bacteria, which can easily enter the compromised skin barrier. This can lead to a localized infection, characterized by increased redness, warmth, swelling, and pus.
An untreated infection can spread into deeper skin layers, a condition known as cellulitis. Cellulitis requires medical attention, often involving antibiotics, and can cause widespread pain and discomfort. Trauma from squeezing and manipulating the cyst can also exacerbate inflammation. Increased inflammation may lead to more pronounced discoloration and swelling.
Repeated irritation or significant trauma can also increase the risk of permanent scarring. The body’s healing process, when overstimulated by injury, can produce excessive collagen, resulting in raised and thickened scars like hypertrophic scars or keloids. The cyst is highly prone to refilling, often reappearing larger, more inflamed, or more painful than its original state, as the sac continues to produce its characteristic contents.
Professional Guidance and Care
For an unpopped earlobe cyst, consulting a healthcare professional, such as a general practitioner or dermatologist, is advisable. A doctor can diagnose the cyst and discuss management options. Options may include observation if small and asymptomatic, professional drainage, or surgical excision. Surgical removal involves excising the entire cyst wall, the most effective method to prevent recurrence.
If an earlobe cyst has been popped or shows signs of inflammation or infection, prompt medical attention is even more important. A doctor can assess the damage and any potential infection. They may perform sterile drainage of any remaining contents and clean the area to minimize further complications. Antibiotics may be prescribed if there are signs of bacterial infection, such as spreading redness, significant pain, or pus.
Medical professionals can also provide guidance on wound care and monitor the healing process to prevent complications like scarring. It is recommended to avoid touching, squeezing, or manipulating any cyst. This approach helps prevent irritation, reduces infection risk, and allows for professional assessment of the most appropriate course of action.