Realistically what would happen if I drained my own cyst
Discussion
So I have a dome shaped pillar cyst on my scalp about the size of a penny. It feels like a hard knuckle wedged in my skin.
I understand it’s £1k+ for private removal, and NHS unlikely to remove it for free.
I’m tempted too wipe the area with an alcohol wipe, heat up a needle using an open flame, and slide the needle into the cyst causing a tiny pin prick hole, then squeeze the cyst to push the keratin out like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
I realise it may come back, but it’s just for some temporary respite. I’m basically bald now so it’s become more visible and is quite unsightly.
If I do this, what will realistically happen? Will the pin hole heal shut easily? What would an infection be like? Could it unwittingly create more cysts?
I understand it’s £1k+ for private removal, and NHS unlikely to remove it for free.
I’m tempted too wipe the area with an alcohol wipe, heat up a needle using an open flame, and slide the needle into the cyst causing a tiny pin prick hole, then squeeze the cyst to push the keratin out like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
I realise it may come back, but it’s just for some temporary respite. I’m basically bald now so it’s become more visible and is quite unsightly.
If I do this, what will realistically happen? Will the pin hole heal shut easily? What would an infection be like? Could it unwittingly create more cysts?
I'm not going to give advice as such but I had one behind my ear that burst when I was away racing, taking my helmet on and off aggravated it. Next thing I knew I had blood trickling down my neck. Wiped it with some alcohol wipes and squeezed all the crap out of it, been fine ever since.
I was tempted to do what you're describing but it went on it's own, seems like a silly thing to do popping your own cyst but then again what's the difference between that and it bursting on its own...
One thing to bear in mind though, is mine was not in view, yours will be and if it doesn't heal nicely it may be even more unsightly than a bump.
I was tempted to do what you're describing but it went on it's own, seems like a silly thing to do popping your own cyst but then again what's the difference between that and it bursting on its own...
One thing to bear in mind though, is mine was not in view, yours will be and if it doesn't heal nicely it may be even more unsightly than a bump.
I'd just go for it. Sterilise the area and the needle first, get someone wearing sterile gloves to do the lancing and draining, just so you don't mess up the initial puncture. If you're equipment is clean you should have no issues, just dress the site afterwards and wash your head with antibacterial soap for a few days to avoid infection.
Make sure to video it!
Make sure to video it!
pocketspring said:
You may find it very hard by yourself to push manked up keratin through a pin hole. If you can't, then get someone to nick it with a fresh DE razor blade. You'll know for sure it'll be sterile as well. Some Savlon wouldn't go amiss either.
Wouldn’t that then require stitches?AudiMan9000 said:
pocketspring said:
You may find it very hard by yourself to push manked up keratin through a pin hole. If you can't, then get someone to nick it with a fresh DE razor blade. You'll know for sure it'll be sterile as well. Some Savlon wouldn't go amiss either.
Wouldn’t that then require stitches?
Mrs M had one on her shoulder and it got so bad we went to A&E. A junior doctor made two small slits in a cross across the top, and squeezed out all the gunk - gross. Then he got the scalpel handle and used it to thoroughly scrape all of the contents out. washed it and dressed it. there is still a small lump and a scar. I don't think a pin will do it it's not like a zit.
AudiMan9000 said:
Is there any way I could get it taken out for free by like a student nurse or something?
Some surgeries do it, some don't. It's worth asking your GP. Sounds like it could need a cut and a couple of stitches to get the whole thing out.
My GP took care of a small one on my back and one on my wrist.
I had something similar on my leg , took about 18 months to finally burst, the first thing that came out was a load of fluffy cheese, this lasted about 30 minutes, then after that it kind of reformed only to explode a a massive amount of watery green pus which spattered up against to ceiling such was the force, 10yrs later I still have a 4cm deep hole in my quad.
pocketspring said:
AudiMan9000 said:
Is there any way I could get it taken out for free by like a student nurse or something?
Make an appointment with the senior nurse practioner at your health centre. Tell them it's painful as your helmet rubs against it while cycling.My helmet rubs when cycling to. I need a mature nurse to sort me.
Do you know what type it is? Our daughter had one removed, no way you could drain it and make it go away and no way you could DIY it and not make a mess of yourself.
You've also got no chance with the NHS, ours was a priority case, started nearly a year ago and as far as the NHS are concerned we're waiting for an appointment with a specialist to decide what to do with it after the June appointment was cancelled, rearranged and cancelled again.
In the real world we went private back in May and had it removed two weeks later.
You've also got no chance with the NHS, ours was a priority case, started nearly a year ago and as far as the NHS are concerned we're waiting for an appointment with a specialist to decide what to do with it after the June appointment was cancelled, rearranged and cancelled again.
In the real world we went private back in May and had it removed two weeks later.
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