Why do cysts hurt

What is a Cyst?

A cyst is a sac-like growth which usually does not have an opening, or in other words, it is a closed sack on most occasions. The structure is characterized by a distinguishable membrane, which is actually an abnormal growth from the nearby tissue itself. Cysts are generally found to be a growth which is the result of some sort of a blocked pore or secretor gland. The contents of a cyst may vary largely, depending upon the condition, the reason, the area and size of the growth. While some of the cystic sacs contain nothing but air in them, some contain fluids and semi-fluids. While all cysts don’t hurt, one should know that when it comes to cysts, the variations are huge. Some of the examples of cysts that hurt are arachnoid cyst, glandular odontogenic cyst, renal cyst, polycystic ovary syndrome, liver cystic disease, calcifying odontogenic cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, dentigerous cyst and choroid plexus cyst to name a few.

Why Do They Hurt?

While all cysts do not hurt, some of them do and unfortunately, the pain in those cases is often found to be too severe to withstand over a long course of time. The position of the cyst in question is in most cases, a very big reason for the pain. The more exposed the area is, the more the pain would be as the vulnerable area would be open to repeated hits over the course of time. This would of course be true in case of an outer cyst that has probably grown on a bony part like the knuckles or the bottom of the feet. While external cysts may also hurt, they are not as serious as internal cysts. It is not only harder to operate on an internal cyst and it is also quite hard to diagnose, while the external cysts are clearly visible and thus comparatively easy to operate on.

In most of the situations, the cysts are usually connected with a number of nerve endings. These nerves are sometimes linked to some of the major organs and therefore, when a sensitive cyst is pressed, all the nerve endings react to the pressure and the person experiences a sudden surge of tremendous and often intolerable pain. It is for this reason that doctors frequently refer patients with external cysts to surgeons who are equipped to operate on the growth as soon as possible.

How to Treat Cysts?

As mentioned earlier, doctors prefer to operate on the cyst as soon as possible and when possible. However, depending on various factors such as the type of the cyst, whether it is infected or symptomatic and other behavioral and characteristic traits, the course of the treatment may differ.

In the process of enucleation, the central portion of the cyst, also known as the “eye ball” is removed surgically, but without interfering with the surrounding area.

The process of Curettage on the other hand, involves a process which is similar to ‘scooping out’. A specially devised medical instrument is used to scoop out the entire abnormal growth, which includes the ‘eye ball’ as well as the surrounding tissue formations.

A resection on the other hand is the most extreme form of surgery associated with the removal of a cyst. A resection is hardly ever necessary as cysts are generally not found to be malignant or cancerous. If however, tests approve of the fact that the cyst is not benign, then resection might be the only hope of saving the patient. Quite common in case of people with lung cancer, the surgeon removes a significant portion of the infected organ on which the cysts were growing to halt the advancement of cancer.

How to Prevent Cysts from Occurring?

While there is definitely no sure-shot way of preventing cysts or tumors from ever occurring, here are a few ways which are advised by doctors themselves.

Vitamin C, vitamin A, colloidal silver, betacarotene and bioflavanoids are found to be particularly effective in reducing the occurrence of cysts. When it comes to ovarian cysts, which is quite a common occurrence in women all over the world, the ovary must at all times be kept healthy through regular checkups and by the use of appropriate medicines, if required.

Unknown to many of us, cosmetics are often responsible for closing the opening of a pimple and turning it into a cyst. It is for this reason, that the use of non-comedogenic cosmetics is advised to prevent such mishaps. Also, when it comes to cysts, which are mostly the result of a clogged opening, keep yourself clean.

Too much exposure to sun light, grease, dirt, dust as well as consumption of oily, fast cooked food items may be responsible for cysts, especially the cysts on the outer layer of the skin. Therefore, practice caution when you must deal with these potential dangers.