What is the Difference Between Sebaceous Cyst and Epidermoid Cyst

The key difference between sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst is that sebaceous cyst is a type of non-cancerous cyst of the skin filled with yellowish oily material, while epidermoid cyst is a type of non-cancerous cyst of the skin filled with dead skin cells.

Sebaceous cysts and epidermoid cysts are two types of non-cancerous cysts in the skin. Skin cysts are non-cancerous pouches of tissues that are filled with fluid or any other materials. They may seem like small peas beneath the surface of the skin. When pressure is applied to them, they may roll under the skin as they are very smooth.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Sebaceous Cyst 
3. What is an Epidermoid Cyst
4. Similarities – Sebaceous Cyst and Epidermoid Cyst
5. Sebaceous Cyst vs Epidermoid Cyst in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Sebaceous Cyst vs Epidermoid Cyst

What is a Sebaceous Cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is an atypical growth in the human body that may contain liquid or semi-liquid material. It is a type of non-cancerous cyst of the skin filled with yellowish oily material. These cysts are not usually life-threatening, and they grow slowly. Moreover, sebaceous cysts are frequently found on the face, neck, or torso. Sometimes, a sebaceous cyst may become uncomfortable if it goes unchecked.

Sebaceous cyst forms out of the sebaceous glands, which produce oil (sebum) that coats the hair and skin. These cysts develop if the gland or its duct becomes damaged or blocked. This normally occurs due to trauma to the skin through scratches, surgical wounds, or acne. The other causes of sebaceous cyst include misshapen or deformed ducts, damage to the cells during surgery, and genetic conditions like Gardner’s syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome. The typical symptoms are soft bumps or lumps that grow slowly under the skin, absence of pain, usually having a visible hole in the middle called a central punctum, and moving freely when touched. The larger sebaceous cysts may be painful. If infected, symptoms like redness, tenderness, and warmth in the skin over the cyst may appear.

A sebaceous cyst can be diagnosed through physical examination, medical history, CT scan, ultrasound, and punch biopsy. Furthermore, the treatments for sebaceous cyst include surgical removals such as conventional wide excision, minimal excision, a laser with punch biopsy excision, and antibiotic ointment and scar cream to reduce scar development after the surgery.

What is an Epidermoid Cyst?

An epidermoid cyst is a non-cancerous small bump beneath the skin that is filled with dead skin cells. It can occur anywhere in the body. But they are most common on the face, neck, and trunk. The signs and symptoms include a small, round bum under the skin on the face, neck, or trunk, a tiny blackhead plugging in the central of the opening of the cyst, a yellow thick, smelly material sometimes draining from the cyst, redness, swelling, and tenderness if infected.

The epidermis is made up of a thin, protective layer of cells that the body continuously sheds. When these cells move into the skin and multiply rather than slouching off, it creates an epidermoid cyst. Sometimes, these cysts can be formed due to irritation or injury of the skin. Moreover, an epidermoid cyst can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin sample biopsy. Furthermore, the treatment options for epidermoid cyst may include injection (reduces swelling and inflammations), incision, drainage, and minor surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Sebaceous Cyst and Epidermoid Cyst?

• Sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst are two types of non-cancerous cysts of the skin.
• Both cysts are slow growing and painless.
• They can be painful if infected.
• The yellow colour substance (keratin) drains from both cysts.
• They are treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Sebaceous Cyst and Epidermoid Cyst?

A sebaceous cyst is a type of non-cancerous cyst of the skin that is filled with yellowish oily material, while an epidermoid cyst is a type of non-cancerous cyst of the skin that is filled with dead skin cells. Thus, this is the key difference between sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst. Furthermore, sebaceous cysts appear on the face, neck, or torso, while epidermoid cysts appear on the face, neck, and trunk.

The below infographic presents the differences between sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Sebaceous Cyst vs Epidermoid Cyst

Sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst are two types of different non-cancerous cysts in the skin. Sebaceous cysts are filled with yellowish oily material, while epidermoid cysts are filled with dead skin cells. Sebaceous cysts develop if the gland or its duct becomes damaged or blocked due to trauma to the skin through scratch, a surgical wound, or acne. Epidermoid cysts are formed when the thin, protective layer of epidermal cells moves into the skin and multiplies rather than slouching off. So, this summarizes the difference between sebaceous cyst and epidermoid cyst.

Reference:

1. “Sebaceous Cysts: Treatment & Cause.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Epidermoid Cysts.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Inflamed epidermal inclusion cyst” By Steven Fruitsmaak – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Epidermoid cyst macro” By Jensflorian – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia