Seeking Alternatives for Epidermoid Cyst Removal
At 26 years old and standing 5'6", I find myself dealing with a situation that seems increasingly frustrating. I am dealing with epidermoid cysts, and unfortunately, I've developed one that necessitates removal. There is no family history of these cysts, nor do I have any known genetic conditions that could be contributing to their formation. Interestingly, I am the only member of my family who experiences this issue. Additionally, I have a case of seborrheic dermatitis affecting my scalp, but I'm not sure if it relates to the cysts. Over the years, I’ve had three epidermoid cysts surgically excised. One was calcified, another turned into an emergency situation due to a severe infection, and the third was removed purely for cosmetic reasons. All of these cysts were sent for biopsy and fortunately returned benign results. Currently, I have a total of nine epidermoid cysts, in addition to one pilonidal cyst. There's another cyst in the vulvar area that I'm unsure about, and I have one located on my chin whose type is also unknown. One of the cysts is specifically located on my forehead, which is particularly concerning to me. I had anticipated a long wait when I contacted the dermatologist, but I was taken aback to learn that the next available appointment is in late February of 2026. This timeline feels excessively long given my circumstances. Is there an alternative pathway for me to pursue to have this cyst removed sooner? In the past, I had a surgeon perform the emergency removal of one of my cysts, but I’m unclear if this option is feasible for routine cases like mine. With my wedding approaching next July, it's important to me to allow adequate time for the scar to heal and improve in appearance before the big day. Thank you for your guidance on this matter.
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 6:10:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed with your current situation concerning the epidermoid cysts, especially with your upcoming wedding and the long wait for a dermatologist appointment. Let’s address your concerns step-by-step.
Main Points
You have multiple cysts that need attention, and the long wait for a dermatologist is understandably stressful, especially with your wedding coming up. Exploring alternative options for cyst removal can help expedite the process.
Explanation
Epidermoid cysts are generally benign growths that can vary in size and may require surgical removal if they become bothersome or infected. Given your history and the presence of multiple cysts, it's understandable that you want a timely solution. The scalp condition (seborrheic dermatitis) isn’t typically related to cyst formation but should be managed to keep your skin healthy overall.
Next Steps
-
Contact Your Previous Surgeon: Since you have had surgical excisions previously, reach out to the surgeon who performed the emergency procedure. Explain your current situation and the number of cysts you would like to have removed. They may have availability sooner or could provide alternative options.
-
Seek a Second Opinion: If the wait for your dermatologist is too long, consider consulting another dermatologist or healthcare provider to assess your cysts. Sometimes different clinics may have varying wait times.
-
Explore Urgent Care or Minor Surgery Facilities: Certain urgent care clinics or specialized skin clinics may offer treatment for skin cysts and could provide quicker access to removal services. Check if there are accredited facilities in your area.
-
Monitor Your Cysts: While you're working on getting an appointment, keep an eye on the cysts. If you notice any changes (like redness, swelling, or pain), this could necessitate more immediate intervention, which could potentially shift your care options.
-
Plan for Healing: Once you have a plan for removal, discuss with your provider the best care practices post-surgery to minimize scarring and promote healing. This would be important to ensure you're looking your best for your wedding.
It's completely reasonable to feel anxious about this situation, especially with your significant event approaching. By reaching out to other medical professionals and exploring different pathways for removal, you can work towards finding a timely solution. Please keep me updated on your progress or let me know if you have any other questions!
Related Questions
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.