Jelly pouches are small, benign skin growths that can be an annoying nuisance for many people. They are usually painless, but can be cosmetically unpleasant and in some cases can even become uncomfortable if they become inflamed or enlarged. Here at the Acura clinic in Weert we can remove cysts. Find out what you need to know about this - and why it is better to have the cyst removed using a minimally invasive procedure - below.
What is a groat bag?
A pouch is a type of cyst that can form under the skin. Pustules often occur in areas where hair follicles and sebaceous glands are located, such as on the scalp, face, neck, back or groin. They can appear in different sizes and typically feel firm.
How does this form of cyst develop?
First and foremost: sebum production
Our skin contains Sebaceous glandswhich produce an oily substance. This sebum has several important functions: It forms a protective film on the surface of the skin, which protects the skin from external influences such as dehydration, irritation, bacteria and other harmful substances. The substance also helps to keep the skin moisturised. This keeps the skin supple and hydrated. The scalp also produces sebum and lubricates the hair to protect it from drying out. In this way, sebum also contributes to the general health of the hair.
Blockage of the sebaceous gland
Sometimes the duct of a sebaceous gland can become blocked. Possible causes include dead skin cells, bacteria, heavy or pore-clogging skin and hair care products, environmental factors, hormonal changes or a poor diet. Often it is also excessive sebum production that can block the glands.
Accumulation of sebum
The blocked duct means that the sebum produced remains in the gland and gradually accumulates. This causes a cyst to form under the skin, which is colloquially known as a sebaceous sac.
Magnification
Over time, the cyst can enlarge and develop a firmer structure due to the continued accumulation of sebum.
Clarification in the confusion of terms: sebaceous sac - sebaceous cyst - atheroma - epidermal cyst
The terms "sebaceous pouch", "sebaceous cyst", "atheroma" and "epidermal cyst" are often used interchangeably to generally describe the same skin problem: a benign cyst or growth that develops from a clogged sebaceous gland under the skin. Here are the exact meanings of these terms:
Groats bag
This is a colloquial term for a sebaceous cyst.
Sebaceous cyst
A sebaceous cyst is the same as a sebaceous sac.
Atheroma
This is a medical term for a sebaceous cyst or a sebaceous sac.
Epidermal cyst
This is another synonymous medical term that is often used synonymously for a sebaceous sac, sebaceous cyst or atheroma.
What is the difference between blemishes and a pouch?
There are some differences between normal skin blemishes and a pouch. The most important distinguishing features are
Origin
- Normal skin blemishes such as pimples, blackheads and acne are usually caused by the blockage of hair follicles or pores due to excess sebum, dead skin cells and bacterial growth.
- A sebaceous sac is a cyst that develops from a blocked sebaceous gland. It is a spherical structure under the skin.
Appearance
- Blemishes can take various forms, including pimples, blackheads (comedones) or pus-filled pustules. They are often inflamed and can be red, white or black in colour.
- On the other hand, a groats pouch usually appears as a firm, round or oval bump under the skin. It usually has a skin-coloured or slightly yellowish colour. It often has a characteristic black dot in the centre.
Contents
- Skin blemishes usually contain sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells, sometimes also pus.
- A sebaceous sac consists mainly of an accumulation of sebum. This is located in a closed cyst under the skin.
Pain
- Pimples or pustules can be painful, especially if they are inflamed or under pressure.
- As a rule, there is no pain in the case of groat pouches - unless they become inflamed or are located in a nerve-rich area (e.g. on the scalp; if they are large enough, they can exert pressure when lying on the pillow while sleeping, for example)
Can I remove a grotto pouch myself?
Clearly, no! You should not try to remove a grotto pouch yourself - and for good reason:
Risk of infection
If you try to squeeze or open a pouch yourself, there is a risk of infection. This can lead to pain, swelling and other complications.
Incomplete removal
Even if you succeed in squeezing out the pouch, you will not be able to remove the entire cyst. It can reappear again and again.
Scarring
Self-attempts to remove a sebaceous cyst can lead to scarring, which can be more serious than the original sebaceous sac.
Expert diagnosis required beforehand
It is important that you first have the pouch examined by a doctor. This will ensure that it is actually a cyst and that there are no more serious skin problems.
Removing the cystic sac: professional help to remove the cystic sac
Skin problems such as spots and blackheads can be effectively treated at the beauty parlour. Regular facial cleansing can help to make the skin look cleaner and healthier, while the pores appear smaller. Specialised facial care that is tailored to the needs of blemished skin is also helpful.
However, cosmetic methods are not sufficient for the treatment of Sebaceous cysts, e.g. on the face off. Simply squeezing the cyst - as described above - often only leads to temporary relief. It usually fills up again in the foreseeable future. This is not a long-term solution. There is only one effective option for permanent freedom from sebaceous cysts: surgical removal. A beauty parlour is not suitable for this, as sterile conditions are required. It is also a minimally invasive procedure from the spectrum of Minor surgeryThis requires experienced surgeons - like the ones we have at the Acura Clinic in Weert.
During the procedure, we make a small incision in the skin. This is followed by the complete removal of the cyst capsule or cyst sac. By removing the capsule, it cannot fill up with sebum again. This means that you are permanently rid of the cystic sac.
After we have removed the cyst sac, we clean the wound and close it with fine sutures.
Remove grout bags in Weert (Netherlands)
Sebaceous cysts do not heal by themselves. Under no circumstances should you treat them at home by squeezing them out, as this can lead to infections. Even cosmetic treatments do not offer a long-term solution. Our recommendation is therefore to first have the pouch examined by a dermatologist. If it turns out to be a harmless but cosmetically unpleasant atheroma, you are welcome to make an appointment for surgical removal at our Acura clinic in Weert. We are here for you!
© Photo "A sebaceous cyst or fatty lump on the skin of a mature woman on the chest area" by MW Photography | stock.adobe.com
© Graphic "Anatomy of tumor and cancer bumps under the skin of sebaceous cyst pilar boil acne swollen" by Pepermpron | stock.adobe.com