Introduction

A skin cyst is afluid-filled bump lying just underneath the skin. It'scommon and harmless, andmay just go away without treatment.

However, it can be hard to tell whether a lump is a cyst or something else that might need treatment. So, if you have any sort of lump, it's best to see your GP so it can be properly diagnosed.

You can also read our page on Swelling or lump , to get a better idea of what your lump is.

Some people confuse cysts with boils or skin abscesses .Boils and abscesses are painful collections of pus that indicate an infection. A cyst may go on to become a boil or abscess.

This page covers everything you need to know about skin cysts.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Jun 2016