Cyst
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
A cyst
is a round, firm lump found almost anywhere on your body. Cysts may grow slowly but are usually not cancer.
Signs and symptoms of a cyst
depend on the type and where it is located. You may have any of the following:
- A round, firm lump
- A lump that changes size and may disappear or reappear
- Pain, numbness, swelling, or muscle weakness where you have the cyst
- Stiffness or tightness in your knee that may get worse with movement
- In women with an ovarian cyst, pain during sex, abdominal swelling, pain before or during a monthly period
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a fever.
- The area around your cyst becomes swollen, red, and painful.
- Your cyst continues to drain for 2 days after you start antibiotics.
Call your doctor if:
- You continue to have pain, even after treatment.
- Your cyst returns or gets larger.
- Your limb that has the cyst gets weak, numb, stiff, or unstable.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment
may include any of the following:
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- For women, birth control pills may help control your monthly cycle, prevent ovarian cysts, or cause them to shrink.
- Aspiration is a procedure used to drain fluid from the cyst through a needle.
- Steroid medicine may be injected into the cyst to decrease inflammation.
- Surgery may be needed to remove the cyst.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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