What will happen if a cyst pops?

Approximately 90% of all cysts are benign, but a ruptured cyst can trigger a painful inflammatory reaction and serious complications. Understanding exactly what will happen if a cyst pops is crucial for proper care and knowing when to seek professional help.

Quick Summary

When a cyst pops, it can cause immediate pain, inflammation, and potential infection as its contents spill into surrounding tissue. Proper wound care is necessary, and medical attention may be required if signs of infection or other serious complications arise.

Key Points

• Immediate Inflammation: A popped cyst releases foreign material into the surrounding tissue, causing immediate pain, swelling, and redness.

• High Infection Risk: Popping a cyst at home can introduce bacteria into the wound, leading to a serious infection or abscess.

• Recurrence is Likely: If the cyst's sac is not completely removed, the cyst will likely regrow and may cause chronic issues.

• Seek Medical Care for Complications: Warning signs like fever, spreading redness, severe pain, or heavy bleeding require prompt professional medical attention.

• Home Care Involves Cleanliness: For a mildly ruptured skin cyst, keep the area clean, apply warm compresses, and avoid squeezing.

• Internal vs. External Cysts Vary: The danger of a popped cyst depends on its type and location, with internal cysts like ovarian cysts posing more serious risks.

The Immediate Aftermath: What to Expect

When a cyst ruptures, whether intentionally or accidentally, the contents are released into the surrounding tissue. For most skin-based cysts, this involves a thick, cheese-like substance made of keratin and dead skin cells. The body recognizes this material as foreign, triggering an inflammatory response that leads to sudden pain, swelling, and redness. The severity of these symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of cyst, its size, and its location. While smaller, simple cysts may resolve on their own, larger or more complex ones can lead to significant discomfort and a higher risk of complications. You may notice drainage from the ruptured site, which can be foul-smelling if the cyst has been present for a while.

Risks and Potential Complications

Popping a cyst at home is strongly discouraged because of the significant risks involved. Unlike a pimple, a cyst has a capsule or sac lining. Even if the contents are drained, if the sac remains, the cyst can regrow. This often leads to a cycle of refilling, rupturing, and chronic inflammation that is much more difficult to treat. Below are some of the key risks:

• Infection: This is one of the most common risks. Popping a cyst creates an open wound, allowing bacteria to enter. If the cyst was already infected, forcefully draining it can spread the bacteria to deeper tissues, potentially causing a more serious abscess or a systemic infection.
• Abscess Formation: An infected cyst can develop into a painful, pus-filled abscess under the skin. An abscess requires medical attention for proper drainage and often antibiotics, as it will not clear up with at-home care.
• Scarring: Repeatedly rupturing a cyst causes trauma to the skin and underlying tissue, increasing the likelihood of significant scarring. This can result in a permanent, visible mark that could have been avoided with professional treatment.
• Damage to Surrounding Tissues: Aggressive popping or squeezing can damage the surrounding skin, blood vessels, and nerves, especially for cysts located in sensitive areas or near delicate structures.

Specific Cysts and Their Reactions

Not all cysts are the same, and the consequences of a rupture can differ greatly based on their type and location. A skin cyst will have a very different outcome than an internal cyst, such as one on an ovary.

Feature	Skin (Epidermoid/Sebaceous) Cyst	Ovarian Cyst	Ganglion Cyst
Location	Under the skin (face, neck, back, etc.)	On or inside an ovary	Near joints/tendons (wrists, hands, feet)
Contents	Keratin, dead skin cells, lipids	Fluid, sometimes blood	Jelly-like fluid (synovial fluid)
If it Pops	Can cause pain, inflammation, and infection. High risk of recurrence if sac remains.	Can cause severe pelvic/abdominal pain and potentially significant internal bleeding.	May cause temporary soreness, but contents are absorbed by the body. High recurrence risk.
Emergency?	Usually not, but infected abscesses are urgent.	Potentially a medical emergency due to internal bleeding.	Not an emergency, but persistent issues need attention.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While mild symptoms might resolve with home care, there are specific warning signs that necessitate professional medical evaluation:

• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, increased pain, or spreading redness and swelling.
• A large amount of pus or foul-smelling drainage.
• If the cyst was deep or on a joint and you experience limited movement or severe pain.
• For ovarian cysts, seek immediate care for severe abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, or fainting, as this could indicate heavy internal bleeding.
• The cyst is located in a sensitive area, like the face, genitals, or near a joint.

Home Care for a Popped Cyst

If a skin cyst pops on its own and symptoms are mild, you can follow these steps for initial care:

1. Gently Clean the Area: Wash the affected area with mild soap and warm water to remove any debris and bacteria. Pat it dry gently.
2. Apply a Warm Compress: A clean, warm compress can help with inflammation and promote drainage. Use it for 15-20 minutes, several times a day.
3. Cover with a Bandage: A sterile bandage will protect the area from dirt and further infection. Change it regularly.
4. Do NOT Squeeze: Avoid the temptation to squeeze or press on the area to force more drainage. This can push bacteria deeper and worsen the inflammation. Let the body heal naturally.
5. Monitor for Signs of Infection: Keep a close eye on the area for any worsening symptoms, as this will require a doctor's intervention.

Professional Treatment Options

For ruptured cysts with complications, or for those that recur, a medical professional can provide a range of effective treatments.

• Incision and Drainage: A doctor can safely and effectively drain the cyst in a sterile environment. This is often done for infected cysts or abscesses.
• Surgical Excision: This is the most definitive treatment for a cyst. It involves the complete surgical removal of the cyst sac. By removing the sac, the chances of the cyst reforming are significantly reduced. A surgeon will numb the area and make an incision to remove the entire structure, then close the wound.
• Antibiotics: If an infection is present, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to clear it up.

Preventing Recurrence

As noted, many cysts will recur if the sac is not fully removed. This is especially common for sebaceous and epidermoid cysts. The only way to prevent a cyst from coming back for good is through a full surgical excision of the entire capsule. For other types, like ovarian cysts, hormonal birth control may be recommended to suppress ovulation and reduce the formation of new cysts. Your doctor can help you determine the best long-term strategy based on your specific situation.

Conclusion

While a cyst popping can be startling, the outcome depends heavily on the type and location of the cyst, as well as how it is handled. For skin cysts, the primary concern is managing inflammation and preventing infection or recurrence. For internal cysts, like those on the ovaries, the risk can be more severe, potentially requiring emergency medical care. The safest course of action is to avoid popping a cyst yourself and to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if you notice signs of infection or other concerning symptoms. Proper care is key to a swift recovery and avoiding unnecessary complications. For more information on various skin conditions, consult authoritative sources like the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to heal a popped cyst?

The fastest way to heal a popped cyst is to keep the area clean, apply warm compresses, and avoid any further irritation. For infected or complicated cases, a doctor's intervention, such as professional drainage, is the quickest and safest route to recovery.

When should I see a doctor after a cyst pops?

You should see a doctor if you experience signs of infection (fever, pus, spreading redness), increasing pain, or if the cyst is large or located in a sensitive area. Immediate medical attention is necessary for symptoms like severe pain or fainting, especially with internal cysts.

Can a popped cyst turn into a more serious infection?

Yes, a popped cyst can lead to a more serious infection. If bacteria enter the open wound, it can result in an abscess, cellulitis (a deep skin infection), or, in rare cases, a systemic infection, particularly if you try to squeeze it yourself.

Will a popped cyst come back?

Yes, a popped cyst can and often will come back. This is because the sac that produced the cyst contents was not removed. To prevent recurrence, the entire cyst sac needs to be surgically excised by a medical professional.

What happens if a cyst pops under the skin?

If a cyst pops under the skin, its contents are absorbed by the body. This can cause an intense inflammatory response, leading to increased pain, swelling, and redness. It can also make a future surgical removal more difficult due to the resulting scar tissue.

Are popped cysts normal?

While it is not unusual for a cyst to rupture on its own due to pressure or trauma, it is not an ideal outcome. Most medical professionals advise against popping them yourself to avoid the risks of infection and chronic recurrence.

Can a popped cyst leave a scar?

Yes, a popped cyst can definitely leave a scar. The inflammation, infection, and resulting trauma from the rupture and subsequent healing process can lead to significant scarring, which is why professional treatment is recommended to minimize scarring.