Sebaceous Cyst All Over My Body!

Hi, @jennyone. I’m sorry to hear about the small bumps that don’t seem to be going away. I am a Mayo Clinic Connect moderator, but on a personal note, I have had something similar on my upper arms before, and a dermatologist prescribed some cream that helped. It was long enough ago that I cannot even recall what that was, however.

I’m wondering if your doctor has seen these small bumps you mention you have all over sometime recently? If so, what did they say?

My name is Jennah, I'm 21. I also have cysts all over my body. I think I got it from my dad because he has the same condition. I get then mainly on my stomach, inner legs, arm pits and face. I have seen a doctor and they said the only thing they could do was to perscribe me a medicine to help dry out my skin because most cysts form from deformed glands that hold oil and dead skin cells. I personally have not found anything that works so I would like to know as well if anyone knows how to solve this.

Welcome to Connect, @jennahsawyer. Here's some information about cysts from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sebaceous-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20352701

Connect members @billindc, and @gmeg have discussed finding “bumps” on skin in previous discussions, and I wonder if they would have more insight for you?

@jennahsawyer, did your doctor tell you what kind of cysts you may have? Do you have any other symptoms or discomfort with the cysts? We look forward to getting to know you.

My Dr calls them Sebacios cyst. Only treatment I get is antibiotics to keep them from growing for a while or surgery,for removal of the sebaceous gland.

Hi Jenna, I also have this condition. I have had them since I was in my 30’s. I am 70 now. They started on mainly my arms especially the backs of my upper arms. I now have them in my scalp, my thighs, my hands, wrists and stomach. I have had to have breast biopsies because they are starting in my breasts. I have never had a diagnosis of what they are. The doctors I have asked don’t seem to have an explanation. I have only met one other person, a man, who has them. He had to have one removed because it was pressing on a nerve which made his hands go numb. My only concern is that they would show up in an organ but at my age I don’t know if I should have that worry. I do know I will not have any more breast biopsies since I am aware that they are there now. Some of mine are the size of a peach pit. Some are small like a pea. I don’t know what to tell you. They are unsightly but I can’t have them all removed. I would be nothing but scars. Good luck and don’t worry about them too much.

Oh Jennah, i also wanted to clarify. These are not on the skin. They are under the skin. Sometimes they are deep and I can hardly feel them. They are not something that can be reached by applying a cream.

I have them too. Typically i don’t bother if they aren’t really ugly, but the older i get the more i have. The ones on my feet are problematic as they rub on my shoes. I had one removed from my eyelid. I need one removed from my arm and two on my leg. Yes, I’ve had others removed but i can’t even find a dr that will treat them all. Without leaving me scarred.

I have a similar condition, after 7 years of excessive Steroid treatment, 13 biopsies, failed chemotherapy, 3 strokes .. I was diagnosed with "Grover's Disease" and discharged from Hospice; yes .. I'm terminal.

To combat the gestational cycle of these cysts, I massage my skin with my fingers & exfoliate the cysts, forcing the hair follicles and calcified biological matter to the surface. This works. Simply stated, is earthshatteringly painful.

Info not bathe, as tap water contains too many carcinogens, biological matter, heavy metals & parasites.

I use antifungal cremes & sprays (don't ask me why antifungals work) .. I use alcohol based CFC-free spray deodorants like "Right Guard" ..a known antiseptic.. and use alcohol based liquid Colognes such as "Old Spice" ...

These work. No doctor gave this advice.

My 27 years in Emergency Trauma medicine and firefighting .. being an on the spot solution maker in tragedy's is what helped me come to these solutions.

Yet, I suffer every second. I have no help. No doctor will treat me .

I hope this helps.

Me before the LoD Injury .. and me I Hospice 2 months ago

Google this phrase: steatocystoma multiplex - it sounds like what a lot of you have, which condition I share. A minor surgical procedure to remove the cyst is the only safe way to go.

I do not think that manual agitation to force it out is prudent as there could be infections. It is reassuring to know the *cause* of this problem that has plagued me for decades, although now I worry that I may have passed it on to my kids as the condition is inherited.