Are Cysts Painful? Understanding the Causes of Cyst Discomfort

September 30, 2025 •

5 min read

Most cysts are slow-growing and painless, often going unnoticed. However, the question, 'Are cysts painful?', arises when a cyst becomes inflamed, infected, or grows large enough to cause pressure on surrounding tissues. This article explores the various factors that turn a typically harmless cyst into a source of significant discomfort.

Quick Summary

Cysts can be painful when infected, inflamed, ruptured, or pressing on nerves. The pain level varies by cause and location, from mild discomfort to severe agony requiring medical care. Certain types, like pilonidal and large ovarian cysts, are more likely to cause significant pain than superficial epidermoid cysts unless irritated.

Key Points

Pain isn't a given: Most cysts are painless and are only a cosmetic concern; pain is a symptom of complications like infection or inflammation.
Infection is a major cause of pain: When a cyst is infected with bacteria, it can become a painful abscess, accompanied by redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness.
Rupture causes sudden pain: A cyst that bursts releases its contents into the surrounding tissue, leading to an immediate, sharp increase in pain and significant inflammation.
Location matters for pain: Cysts near joints, like ganglion cysts, or in high-pressure areas, like pilonidal cysts in the buttocks, can be painful even without infection due to pressure.
Never pop a cyst at home: Squeezing a cyst can lead to a severe infection, increased pain, scarring, and often results in the cyst growing back.
Seek medical advice for changes: Any cyst that becomes painful, rapidly grows, shows signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus), or is in an unusual location should be evaluated by a doctor.

A cyst is a closed, sac-like pocket of tissue filled with fluid, semi-solid material, or air. They can form almost anywhere on the body and, while the word 'cyst' can sound alarming, most are non-cancerous and medically harmless. For many people, a cyst is nothing more than a cosmetic concern. Yet, for others, it can become a source of considerable pain and discomfort. The distinction between a painless and a painful cyst lies in several key factors, most notably whether it is infected, inflamed, or causing pressure.

Why Do Some Cysts Become Painful?

Several factors can cause a previously unbothersome cyst to turn painful:

Inflammation: The body's immune system can respond to irritation within the cyst, even without infection. This internal irritation, often from the buildup of its contents like keratin, can trigger inflammation, causing the area to become swollen and tender. Inflammation can also be aggravated by external factors, such as friction from clothing.
Infection: When bacteria invade a cyst, it can lead to an infection and form an abscess, a pocket of pus. An infected cyst will likely be warm, red, swollen, and tender to the touch, and can cause significant pain. In severe cases, a fever may develop.
Rupture: A cyst can rupture, or burst open, due to trauma or when it becomes too large. When this happens, its contents are released into the surrounding tissue, causing a sudden, sharp spike of pain, swelling, and increased inflammation. For skin cysts, a rupture can create a painful, pus-filled wound that needs proper treatment.
Pressure on Nerves: As a cyst grows, it can put pressure on nearby nerves or other body parts, resulting in localized or radiating pain. This is common with cysts that form near joints or internal organs. For example, a large ganglion cyst can compress a nerve, and an ovarian cyst can cause pain if it interferes with blood flow or twists the ovary.

Types of Cysts and Their Pain Potential

Some cysts are inherently more prone to causing pain than others due to their location or composition. Here are a few examples:

Pilonidal Cysts: These cysts form in the cleft of the buttocks, often trapping ingrown hairs. Due to their location, they are highly prone to infection and can be extremely painful, especially when sitting down. An infected pilonidal cyst often requires medical intervention.
Ovarian Cysts: While many ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, large ones can cause pelvic pain, a feeling of fullness, or bloating. A ruptured ovarian cyst can cause sudden, severe pain, and ovarian torsion (twisting) is a medical emergency that leads to intense pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Ganglion Cysts: Found near joints and tendons (commonly on the wrist or hand), these fluid-filled sacs are usually harmless. However, if they grow large enough to press on a nerve, they can cause pain, tingling, or weakness.
Epidermoid Cysts: These common skin cysts are often painless unless they become inflamed or infected. A visible blackhead-like opening is often present. Inflamed epidermoid cysts are tender and swollen.

Treatment for Painful Cysts

For a cyst that is causing pain, several treatment options are available through a healthcare professional:

Steroid Injection: An anti-inflammatory medication can be injected directly into the cyst to reduce swelling and inflammation, often providing rapid relief.
Incision and Drainage: A quick procedure where a small cut is made to drain the contents. This provides immediate relief but carries a risk of the cyst recurring if the sac is not fully removed.
Antibiotics: If the cyst is infected, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Surgical Removal: For cysts that are large, painful, frequently recur, or potentially cancerous, surgical removal of the entire cyst and its sac is the most effective solution. This minimizes the chance of recurrence but can leave a scar.

Do not attempt to squeeze or pop a cyst at home, as this can lead to infection, scarring, and incomplete removal, causing the cyst to regrow.

Painful vs. Non-Painful Cyst Scenarios


Feature	Painful Cyst	Non-Painful Cyst
Appearance	Red, swollen, and warm to the touch. May have pus drainage.	Skin-colored or slightly discolored. Smooth, round, and movable under the skin.
Sensation	Tender or sore, especially when touched. Persistent ache or sudden, sharp pain.	Usually no sensation unless irritated.
Cause	Infection, inflammation, rupture, or pressure on nerves.	Blocked glands, fluid accumulation, or cell buildup without complications.
Location	Areas prone to irritation like the buttocks (pilonidal) or near joints (ganglion). Internal organs (e.g., ovarian) where twisting can occur.	Typically superficial on the face, neck, or trunk where irritation is minimal.
Recommended Action	See a doctor for evaluation and treatment.	Can often be left alone if not bothersome. Monitor for changes.

When to See a Doctor for a Painful Cyst

While many cysts are benign and require no treatment, you should consult a healthcare provider if a cyst displays any of the following symptoms:

Severe or increasing pain: Persistent pain that worsens over time could indicate a serious issue.
Signs of infection: Redness, warmth, significant swelling, or pus drainage are clear indicators of an infection that needs professional treatment.
Rapid growth or unusual appearance: Sudden, rapid changes in a cyst's size or appearance warrant evaluation to rule out complications or malignancy.
Location causing interference: If a cyst is in a spot that interferes with daily activities or movement, such as near a joint, a doctor can help.
Fever or vomiting: These systemic symptoms, especially alongside pain, can indicate a deeper infection or a complication like ovarian torsion, which requires immediate medical attention.

Conclusion

So, are cysts painful? While the majority of cysts are not, the presence of pain is a red flag indicating a potential problem such as infection, inflammation, or rupture. The location and size of the cyst are also key factors, as some types are more predisposed to causing discomfort than others. It is critical to differentiate a benign, painless cyst from one that is infected or growing rapidly. Consulting a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment is always the safest course of action, particularly if a cyst becomes painful or changes in appearance. For more information, the Cleveland Clinic offers comprehensive resources on various health conditions.

Can Cysts Be Cancerous?

While most cysts are benign, it's important to be aware of the rare possibility of a cancerous growth presenting as a cyst. A biopsy is the only way to confirm a malignancy. Signs that may indicate a need for further evaluation include a cyst that is unusually firm, immobile, irregularly shaped, or grows very rapidly. A healthcare professional can help you determine if a lump requires further investigation.

Cleveland Clinic: Cyst Removal, What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

An infected cyst can be red, swollen, and warm to the touch. It may also be tender or painful and could drain pus. In severe cases, a fever may also be present.

While some small cysts, like certain ovarian cysts, can resolve on their own, many cysts will persist without treatment. Some may shrink, but they often have the potential to return if the cyst sac is not fully removed.

No, you should never try to squeeze or pop a cyst at home. This can push bacteria deeper into the skin, causing a serious infection, and will likely cause the cyst to regrow since the sac remains intact.

Treatment for a painful cyst varies depending on the cause. Options include corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for infection, drainage, or surgical removal for a permanent solution.

You should see a doctor if a cyst is painful, growing rapidly, interfering with daily activities, or showing signs of infection like redness, warmth, or pus drainage. An evaluation is also necessary if it is in an unusual spot or if there is any concern about malignancy.

Most cysts are benign and are not cancerous. However, in rare instances, a cancerous growth can resemble a cyst. Only a medical professional can determine this for sure, often through a biopsy.

A ruptured cyst releases its contents into the surrounding tissue, causing a sudden onset of pain, swelling, and increased inflammation. The severity of the symptoms depends on the cyst's size and location.