Does it hurt to get a cyst drained? The truth about cyst drainage pain

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

The vast majority of cyst drainage procedures are not painful due to the use of local anesthetic. This common query, "Does it hurt to get a cyst drained?", often stems from anxiety about medical procedures, but understanding the process can alleviate fears and prepare you for a comfortable experience.

Quick Summary

The sensation of cyst drainage is typically limited to a minor pinch or sting from the numbing injection, with most people feeling only pressure, not pain, during the actual procedure. Mild soreness after the anesthetic wears off can be managed with appropriate pain relief.

Key Points

Local Anesthetic Use: Your healthcare provider will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the cyst, making the procedure pain-free.
Pressure vs. Pain: During the drainage, you will feel pressure, not sharp pain, as the provider works to remove the cyst's contents.
Initial Discomfort: The only sharp sensation is typically the initial sting of the numbing injection, which is quick and brief.
Manageable Post-Procedure Soreness: Mild soreness, swelling, or tenderness after the anesthetic wears off can be managed with appropriate pain medication.
Avoid At-Home Drainage: Attempting to drain a cyst at home is dangerous, ineffective, and highly painful, increasing the risk of infection and scarring.
Trust a Professional: A trained medical professional ensures the procedure is done safely, effectively, and with minimal risk of complications or recurrence.

What to Expect During the Procedure

When a healthcare provider performs a cyst drainage, they take several steps to ensure your comfort and minimize pain. The procedure, also known as incision and drainage (I&D), is typically quick and straightforward, especially when dealing with a surface-level cyst like an epidermoid or sebaceous cyst. It's important to remember that professionals are trained to make this process as pain-free as possible.

The Numbing Process

Before any incision is made, the area around the cyst is numbed with a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. This is the only part of the procedure where you might feel a sharp, but brief, sensation. Patients often compare this feeling to the pinch or sting of getting a flu shot or a dental injection. The anesthetic works quickly, and once the area is numb, you should not feel any sharp pain during the drainage itself. Your healthcare provider will confirm that the area is fully numb before proceeding.

The Drainage Itself

After the local anesthetic has taken full effect, the provider makes a small incision in the skin directly over the cyst. Using gentle pressure and specialized tools, they drain the accumulated contents. During this part, you may feel some pressure or a pulling sensation, but it should not be painful. The feeling of pressure comes from the provider pushing the contents of the cyst out, but the numbing agent prevents any associated pain. For larger or deeper cysts, a more involved excision might be necessary, but this also occurs under local anesthesia.

Post-Procedure Sensations

Once the cyst has been fully drained, the area is cleaned and covered with a dressing. For some procedures, especially more involved excisions, stitches may be used. After the procedure is complete and the local anesthetic begins to wear off, you might experience some mild soreness, tenderness, or throbbing at the site. This discomfort is temporary and usually manageable. Your doctor will likely recommend appropriate pain relievers to manage any soreness.

Factors Influencing Pain and Discomfort

Several factors can influence the amount of discomfort a person experiences during and after cyst drainage. These include:

Type and Location of the Cyst: Cysts on more sensitive areas of the body, or those that are deeper, may cause a bit more pressure sensation. Infected or inflamed cysts can also be more tender before the procedure begins.
Size of the Cyst: Larger cysts may require a slightly larger incision, and the pressure applied to drain them might feel more noticeable. However, again, this is pressure and not typically pain.
Individual Pain Tolerance: Everyone experiences and perceives pain differently. What one person describes as a minor pinch, another might find slightly more uncomfortable. This is why communication with your healthcare provider is key.
Skill of the Provider: An experienced dermatologist or physician will perform the procedure efficiently and with precision, minimizing any potential discomfort.

Comparison of Draining vs. At-Home Remedies

Attempting to drain a cyst at home is strongly discouraged by medical professionals. A comparison shows why seeking professional treatment is the safest and most effective option.


Feature	Professional Drainage	At-Home Attempt
Pain Management	Area is numbed with local anesthetic, ensuring pain-free drainage.	No anesthesia, resulting in significant, unmanaged pain.
Safety & Sterility	Sterile instruments and environment, minimizing risk of infection.	High risk of bacterial introduction and severe infection.
Efficacy	Performed by a trained professional who can ensure complete drainage.	Often incomplete, potentially leading to recurrence and scarring.
Risk of Scarring	Minimal scarring due to precise technique and proper wound closure.	High risk of significant scarring, infection, and damage to surrounding tissue.
Healing Process	Guided by professional aftercare instructions, ensuring proper healing.	Uncontrolled, with high risk of complications.

Aftercare and Recovery: What to Expect

Proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth recovery and to prevent complications. Your provider will give you specific instructions, which often include:

Keeping the area clean and dry: Follow instructions on when and how to change dressings. This prevents infection.
Managing mild pain: Use appropriate pain relievers as directed.
Watching for signs of infection: Monitor for increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus. Contact your doctor if these occur.
Following up: If stitches were used, a follow-up appointment will be necessary for their removal.

The recovery time is typically short. For small cysts, healing can take a few days to a week. Larger cysts may take longer. While the initial wound is healing, it's wise to avoid strenuous activity or anything that might put pressure on the area.

Potential Complications and When to Seek Help

While cyst drainage is a low-risk procedure, complications can sometimes occur. The most common is the recurrence of the cyst, particularly if the cyst wall wasn't completely removed. Other, less common complications include infection, scarring, or incomplete drainage. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Pain that worsens or is not controlled by medication.
Increased swelling or redness around the drainage site.
Fever or chills, which can indicate a systemic infection.
Excessive bleeding or discharge from the wound.

Conclusion

The short answer to the question, "Does it hurt to get a cyst drained?" is that the procedure itself is not painful due to the use of a local anesthetic. The most sensation you'll likely feel is a momentary pinch from the numbing injection. Post-procedure, some mild soreness is common and easily managed with appropriate pain relievers. The key is to trust a medical professional for this procedure rather than attempting dangerous and painful at-home remedies. Seeking a professional opinion ensures the procedure is done safely, effectively, and with your comfort as a priority. For more information on skin procedures and conditions, it's always best to consult reliable medical resources like the American Academy of Dermatology at aad.org.

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

With local anesthetic, you will feel the initial pinch of the numbing shot, but during the actual draining, you will likely only feel pressure or a pulling sensation, not pain. The numbing agent prevents you from feeling the sharp sensation of the incision or drainage.

Significant pain is not typical, but mild soreness or tenderness can last for a day or two after the procedure. This discomfort usually subsides quickly and can be managed with appropriate pain medication.

An infected or inflamed cyst is often tender and painful before treatment. However, the local anesthetic is still very effective at numbing the area. After the procedure, the relief from the pressure is often immediate, though some post-procedure soreness is expected.

The best preparation is to openly communicate any fears or concerns with your healthcare provider. They can reassure you and explain the procedure in detail. Making sure you are relaxed can also help, as stress can sometimes heighten pain perception.

The size of the cyst doesn't necessarily dictate a proportional increase in pain, thanks to local anesthesia. However, a larger cyst might require more pressure to drain, which you will feel as a sensation of pressure rather than pain.

Both cyst drainage and surgical excision are performed under local anesthesia, so neither should be painful during the procedure. Surgical removal, which excises the entire cyst wall, may result in slightly more post-procedure soreness as it is a more involved process, but it is still managed effectively with pain relief.

Healthcare providers are trained to ensure the area is sufficiently numb before starting. They can apply more anesthetic if needed. It is crucial to be honest with your doctor about what you are feeling throughout the process so they can address any discomfort immediately.