Will a cyst eventually drain on its own?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

While it's a common hope, a cyst will not reliably or safely drain on its own, and ignoring it can lead to complications. Understanding whether a cyst will eventually drain on its own depends heavily on the cyst's type and nature.

Quick Summary

Some types of cysts, like certain ovarian or functional cysts, may resolve themselves, but many common skin cysts will not. Often, if they rupture or drain naturally, the cyst wall is left behind, causing the cyst to return, become infected, or cause significant scarring, requiring professional medical intervention. Self-draining can also lead to serious infections and complications. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

Key Points

Natural Drainage is Unlikely: Most skin cysts will not drain and resolve on their own, as the sac-like structure will remain and refill over time.
High Risk of Recurrence: Even if a cyst seems to drain naturally, the sac is often left behind, leading to a high chance of the cyst returning.
Danger of Infection and Scarring: Trying to drain a cyst at home or letting it rupture naturally can lead to serious infection (cellulitis) and significant scarring.
Professional Intervention is Best: The safest and most effective solution is a medical professional draining and/or surgically removing the cyst and its sac to prevent recurrence and complications.
Not All Cysts Are the Same: While common skin cysts (epidermoid) often require intervention, other types, like functional ovarian cysts, can resolve naturally.
When to See a Doctor: Seek professional medical help if a cyst is painful, red, swollen, draining, rapidly growing, or if you are uncertain of the diagnosis.

The difference between a cyst and an abscess

Understanding what you are dealing with is the first step. A cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with air, fluid, or semi-solid material. It can remain for a long time, often without causing pain. In contrast, an abscess is a collection of pus that develops when tissue becomes infected. Abscesses are typically more painful, red, and swollen, and they are caused by a bacterial infection, while most common cysts are not. While an abscess may eventually burst and drain, a cyst's structure, which includes a sac or lining, means it is unlikely to fully resolve without medical intervention. Popping or squeezing a cyst can lead to the sac rupturing internally, causing more inflammation, infection, and potential scarring.

Why most skin cysts don't drain on their own

For many common skin cysts, such as epidermoid and sebaceous cysts, the underlying problem is the epithelial sac or wall that contains the contents.

Sac retention: Even if the cyst's contents find a way to drain, the sac itself remains under the skin. As long as this sac remains, it will continue to fill with dead skin cells and keratin, causing the cyst to recur, often repeatedly.
Risk of infection: A naturally-ruptured cyst can release its contents into the surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and a foreign body reaction. This can create a significant risk of bacterial infection, turning a benign lump into a painful, inflamed, or pus-filled abscess.
Scarring: The repeated cycle of filling and rupturing creates a higher chance of developing significant scar tissue, which can be disfiguring and much more difficult to treat later.

The specific risks of improper drainage

Trying to drain a cyst at home or letting it drain naturally comes with significant risks that are best avoided. These risks include:

Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that can spread to deeper tissues. A ruptured cyst creates an open wound and a direct pathway for bacteria to enter.
Pain and Inflammation: A ruptured epidermoid cyst is known to cause a significant inflammatory reaction when its contents are released into the surrounding skin, leading to more pain and swelling than the cyst itself.
Increased recurrence: Without proper removal of the cyst sac by a medical professional, the chances of the cyst reforming are very high.

Comparison of cyst types and resolution

It is important to recognize that not all cysts behave the same way. Some resolve naturally, while others almost always require intervention.


Feature	Functional Ovarian Cysts	Epidermoid/Sebaceous Cysts
Nature	Often hormonal and part of the menstrual cycle.	Caused by trapped skin cells and keratin.
Location	Ovaries	Skin, especially face, neck, scalp, and back.
Natural Resolution?	Yes, often resolve on their own within one to two menstrual cycles.	Unlikely to resolve permanently without removal of the sac.
Recurrence	Another functional cyst can occur later, but the specific cyst usually resolves completely.	High risk of recurrence if the sac is not removed.
Risk if left untreated	Usually low risk, unless large enough to cause ovarian torsion.	Risk of infection, inflammation, scarring, and rupture.

When to see a medical professional

Since waiting for a skin cyst to drain on its own is ill-advised, knowing when to seek professional help is critical. You should see a doctor or dermatologist if:

The cyst becomes painful, swollen, or red.
You notice yellow discharge or a foul smell.
The cyst is growing rapidly or causing discomfort.
It's located in an area of constant irritation, such as near a joint.
You are unsure if the lump is a cyst or something else, as some growths can be more serious.

For more information on the various types of cysts and their clinical management, you can consult reputable medical resources, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Professional treatment options

When you see a healthcare professional for a cyst, they have several safe and effective options, depending on the type and severity of the cyst. These may include:

Surgical Excision: This is the most definitive way to prevent recurrence. A dermatologist or surgeon removes the entire cyst, including the sac, ensuring it cannot grow back.
Incision and Drainage: This involves making a small cut to allow the contents of the cyst to drain. While it provides immediate relief, it is often a temporary solution for skin cysts because the sac remains.
Corticosteroid Injection: If the cyst is inflamed but not infected, a steroid injection can help reduce the inflammation and swelling, causing it to shrink.
Antibiotics: If the cyst has become infected, antibiotics may be necessary to treat the bacterial infection before any other procedures are performed.

Conclusion

While some cysts, like certain types of functional ovarian cysts, may resolve naturally, the majority of common skin cysts will not reliably drain on their own in a healthy or permanent way. Attempting to force drainage or waiting for it to happen can lead to infection, scarring, and high rates of recurrence. Consulting a healthcare professional is the safest and most effective way to address a cyst, ensuring proper diagnosis and complete resolution to prevent future complications. For any persistent or concerning skin lump, professional medical advice is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

While some types, such as functional ovarian cysts, can resolve on their own over a couple of menstrual cycles, most common skin cysts (like epidermoid cysts) do not disappear without medical intervention because the sac remains under the skin.

If a cyst drains on its own through a natural rupture, it may provide temporary relief. However, the sac will likely be left behind, and the cyst will recur. Additionally, a rupture can cause a painful inflammatory reaction, increase the risk of infection, and lead to scarring.

No, it is highly discouraged to pop or squeeze a cyst at home. This can cause the sac to rupture internally, pushing contents deeper into the skin and increasing the risk of inflammation, serious infection, and scarring. A medical professional should always perform drainage.

An infected cyst will typically become red, warm to the touch, and painful. You may also see yellow discharge or notice a foul smell. These signs indicate that immediate medical attention is necessary.

You should see a doctor if your cyst is painful, growing rapidly, inflamed, shows signs of infection (redness, pus), or is located in a cosmetically sensitive area. It is also wise to seek a diagnosis if you are unsure if the lump is actually a cyst.

A pimple is a temporary, localized inflammation of a hair follicle caused by bacteria. A cyst is a deeper, sac-like structure filled with fluid or semi-solid material, and it has a wall that can cause it to persist or recur even after draining.

Applying a warm compress can sometimes help a minor cyst to swell less and possibly encourage some superficial drainage, but it will not resolve the root cause. This is not a reliable method for permanent treatment and carries risks if the cyst becomes irritated.

The most definitive treatment for a recurring cyst is surgical excision, where a medical professional removes the entire cyst sac. This prevents the sac from continuing to produce and collect contents, thereby stopping the recurrence.