What happens when you don't treat a cyst? The risks explained

October 1, 2025 •

3 min read

While many cysts are benign and can be left alone, ignoring a growing or symptomatic cyst can lead to significant complications. So, what happens when you don't treat a cyst? Understanding the potential risks associated with various types of cysts is crucial for protecting your health.

Quick Summary

Leaving a cyst untreated can result in serious complications such as infection, abscess formation, or rupture, which may cause pain, inflammation, and scarring, often requiring more intensive medical intervention later on.

Key Points

Risk of Infection: An untreated cyst can become inflamed and infected, leading to a painful abscess that requires medical drainage and possibly antibiotics.
Risk of Rupture: Growth or trauma can cause a cyst to burst, releasing its contents into the body and causing severe pain and inflammation.
Increased Pain and Discomfort: As cysts grow, they can press on nerves and surrounding tissue, causing increasing pain and interfering with daily activities.
Scarring: Rupturing and delayed or complicated removal can lead to permanent scarring, especially if the cyst re-forms repeatedly.
Delayed Diagnosis of Serious Issues: In rare cases, what seems to be a cyst could be a cancerous growth; leaving it untreated delays a proper diagnosis.
Potential for Recurrence: If a cyst ruptures and is not fully excised, the sac lining can remain, causing the cyst to re-form and rupture again.

The Progression of an Untreated Cyst

Cysts are non-cancerous, closed pockets of tissue that can form anywhere on or in the body and are filled with fluid, semi-solid material, or air. While some cysts resolve on their own, others can persist and grow over time, leading to a range of potential problems. The eventual outcome depends heavily on the cyst's type, size, and location, but neglecting it can turn a simple issue into a complex medical challenge.

Infection and Inflammation

One of the most common and immediate risks of an untreated cyst is infection. A cyst can become inflamed even without infection, causing tenderness and pain. However, if bacteria enter the cyst, it can quickly become infected. Signs of an infected cyst include increased redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, and significant pain. An infected cyst can then develop into an abscess, a collection of pus that requires drainage and potentially antibiotics to resolve. In rare, severe cases, a deep skin infection called cellulitis can occur, or the infection can spread into the bloodstream, a dangerous condition known as septicemia. Attempting to squeeze or pop a cyst at home significantly increases the risk of introducing bacteria and causing infection and scarring.

Cyst Rupture

A cyst can spontaneously rupture due to pressure from its growth, trauma, or irritation. When an epidermal cyst on the skin ruptures, its contents spill into the surrounding tissue, causing a foreign body reaction that results in severe inflammation, redness, and pain. This creates a boil-like infection that needs prompt medical attention. For internal cysts, such as an ovarian cyst, a rupture can be a medical emergency, potentially causing internal bleeding, significant pain, and other complications. After a rupture, there is also a high chance of the cyst recurring if the sac lining is not completely removed.

Pain, Discomfort, and Functional Impairment

As a cyst grows, it can put pressure on surrounding tissues, nerves, or organs, leading to increasing discomfort or pain. This is particularly true for ganglion cysts, which form near joints and can cause pain or interfere with movement when they press on nerves. Large cysts on the scalp, for instance, can be a nuisance and cause hair loss, while cysts in sensitive areas can be particularly bothersome. Leaving a cyst to grow also increases the likelihood of scarring, especially if it ruptures or requires surgical removal at a later, more complicated stage.

Potential for Malignancy

While the vast majority of cysts are benign, there is a very small risk that some may be pre-cancerous or associated with cancer, and this risk is often dependent on the cyst's type and location. For example, some ovarian or pancreatic cysts require closer monitoring due to a small risk of malignancy. Rapid growth, a solid or irregular shape, and persistent inflammation are all signs that a cyst should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. A biopsy is often the only definitive way to determine if a lump is cancerous.

Comparison of Untreated vs. Treated Cyst Outcomes

It's important to understand the different trajectories for cysts with and without medical intervention. The following table outlines a general comparison.


Feature	Untreated Cyst	Treated Cyst
Risk of Infection	High, especially if irritated or ruptured.	Low, as medical care manages infection.
Pain and Discomfort	Increases with growth and pressure on surrounding tissues.	Pain is managed and resolved during or after treatment.
Scarring Potential	High, especially from rupture or delayed, complicated removal.	Minimal, especially when removed while small.
Risk of Recurrence	High, particularly if a ruptured sac lining is left behind.	Low, if the entire cyst wall is surgically removed.
Health Complications	Risks of abscess, cellulitis, and septicemia.	Complications are minimized with proper medical management.

The Takeaway

For many small, harmless cysts, observation might be sufficient. However, ignoring a cyst that is painful, growing, or shows signs of infection can lead to more serious and painful complications. Promptly addressing a cyst can prevent infection, minimize scarring, and ensure any rare, more serious issues are caught early. It's crucial to resist the urge to self-treat, as attempting to pop a cyst at home is a common mistake that can worsen the condition. When in doubt, consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose the cyst type, rule out more serious conditions, and offer safe, effective treatment options.

For more information on the symptoms and treatment of various skin conditions, visit the Mayo Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should seek medical attention if a cyst becomes red, warm, swollen, painful, or tender to the touch. Rapid growth, drainage of pus, or an odd shape are also red flags.

Some small, benign cysts can resolve without intervention. However, many grow and persist, and some that drain on their own are likely to recur unless the sac wall is surgically removed.

No, it is not recommended to pop or squeeze a cyst at home. This can push infected material deeper into the skin, lead to scarring, and increase the risk of a more serious infection.

If an internal cyst, such as an ovarian cyst, ruptures, it can cause severe pain and potentially lead to internal bleeding or infection, requiring immediate medical care.

While difficult to determine without professional evaluation, cysts often feel smooth, round, and movable under the skin, sometimes with a small central pore. Tumors may feel firmer, more fixed, or have an irregular shape and are more likely to grow persistently.

Not necessarily, but many cysts do continue to grow over time. A larger cyst is more prone to irritation, rupture, and becoming an aesthetic concern.

Most cysts are benign, and leaving a common skin cyst untreated does not increase the risk of cancer. However, some types of internal cysts, like certain ovarian or pancreatic cysts, carry a very small risk of malignancy, so they should be monitored.