The key difference between cyst and abscess is that cyst is a fluid-filled sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that grows under the skin or inside the body, while abscess is a painful collection of pus under the skin or inside the body.
Cysts and abscesses are two common skin conditions. Cysts are painless, while abscesses cause pain and irritation in the body. Cysts and abscesses can form anywhere in the body. When an already existing cyst becomes infected, it becomes an abscess. Cysts normally do not need treatment unless they become larger. However, abscesses need treatment as they are caused due to bacterial or fungal infections.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Cyst
3. What is an Abscess
4. Similarities – Cyst and Abscess
5. Cyst vs Abscess in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cyst vs Abscess
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that grows under the skin. A cyst is usually filled with fluid, air, or other substances. Most cysts are benign and non-cancerous. There are different types of cysts, such as acne cysts, ganglion cysts, kidney cysts, and ovarian cysts. Cysts can be microscopic in size or very large. Even large cysts can replace internal organs. The signs and symptoms of cysts include abnormal lumps, paleness unless they rupture or infect, and headache if the cyst is present in the brain. Cysts are caused by infections, clogged sebaceous glands, piercing, tumor, genetic conditions, a fault in an organ of a developing embryo, a defect in the cells, chronic inflammatory medical conditions, blockage of the ducts in the body, a parasite, and an injury to a vessel that breaks it.
Moreover, a cyst can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging scans like MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Treatment options for a cyst include drainage or aspiration and surgical removal.
What is an Abscess?
An abscess is a painful collection of pus under the skin or inside the body. There are mainly two types of abscesses as skin abscess (develop in the skin) and internal abscess (in the internal body organs or space between them). The symptoms of an abscess may include a swollen, pus-filled lump under the surface of the skin, pain in the affected area, a high temperature, chills, feeling unwell, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Abscesses are usually caused due to bacterial (Staphylococcus) or fungal infections.
Abscesses can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, and MRI. Furthermore, an abscess can be treated through draining or shrinking and drying up, and antibiotics or antifungal medications to clear up the infection and surgeries.
What are the Similarities Between Cyst and Abscess?
- Cysts and abscesses are two common skin conditions.
- Both may appear as swollen lumps.
- Both can be caused due to an infection.
- They can develop under the skin or inside the body.
- When an already existing cyst becomes infected, it becomes an abscess.
- Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging scans.
- They are treated through drainage or surgical removal.
What is the Difference Between Cyst and Abscess?
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that grows under the skin or inside the body, while an abscess is a collection of pus under the skin or inside the body. This is the key difference between cyst and abscess. Furthermore, a cyst is usually painless and none irritating, while an abscess is usually painful and irritating.
The following table summarizes the difference between cyst and abscess.
Summary – Cyst vs Abscess
Cysts and abscesses are two common skin conditions that bother many people in the world. They may appear as swollen lumps when examined physically. However, a cyst is a fluid-filled sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that grows under the skin or inside the body, while an abscess is a painful collection of pus under the skin or inside the body. This summarizes the difference between cyst and abscess.
Reference:
1. “Cysts: Types, Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. “Abscess.” NHS Choices, NHS.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Inflamed epidermal inclusion cyst” By Steven Fruitsmaak – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blausen 0007 Abscess” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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