To perform minor surgery on myself?

[AlannaPartridge]

Serious question.

I have a sebaceous cyst on my earlobe. It's been there about two years and is the size of a pea. It's not sore or painful, but it's quite obvious & I feel self conscious about it.

I also want to get my ears pierced (finally!) but can't while it's there.

The doctor won't do anything because it's purely cosmetic & causing me no problems at all.

So....I'm thinking.....what if I clean the area really well with antiseptic wipes, sterilise a craft scalpel, make a small cut over the top and squeeze the bugger out (making sure the sack comes too)?

I am a sporner and feel quite excited at the thought of squeezing it out () but obviously don't want to do myself a serious mischief.

What do you think?

[friday16]

Of course, the real hard-core do real self-surgery.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Rogozov

[mrspremise]

No! My brother tried to deal with a 'little' sebaceous cyst by himself; he ended up with a huge 'hole' (dent) in his back brought on by secondary infection that he will be living with for the long time (it has got infected several times already) Don't risk it, go and see your GP, please...

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Ooh, I know Mumsnut. I know. I saw that six minute blackhead video you all loved so much!

[schmalice]

My DH has a reoccurring one in exactly the same place. He puts Magnesium Sulphate paste on it (about £1 from the chemist) and this draws the stuff out. He tried to get the Dr to deal with it but they refused, even though his get infected!!

[AlannaPartridge]

DS had a boil a week ago - we waited till it had a lovely, big white head then gently pressed the sides and cottage cheese spurted all over me.

Little gift for fellow sporners there

I think I'll go for it. I have shown it to both GP & nurse over the past couple of years (when in for other things) and they were both adamant that it was too minor for them to deal with or refer me to anyone else.

But I will get a friend to help - if I can find a willing one!

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

Ahh but friday, he was a doctor.

This one is better

[Writerwannabe83]

Get those creams you can buy that numb the skin


I know they are meant for people having tattoo's but I think minor surgery reasons are just as valid

[Thatsnotmychicken]

Eeeww! Just googled images of sebaceous cysts so I knew what you were talking about - may not sleep now!! I say get rid of it but make sure everything is really sterile and clean.

[ThreeMyselfAndI]

my dh has popped 2 out of his head using his tool of choice..... a think picture hanging pin

he has also removed a tooth with the same tool.

and whatever it is in his lip that fills with gunk and wierd white stuff every other week as he doesn't want to go to hospital and have it done

all of the above give me the boke as he insists on showing me the outcome.

go for it dh said.

[AlannaPartridge]

What six minute blackhead video????

is wonderful.

[WetDog]

I would. But I removed a cyst from inside my lower eyelid a couple of years ago so you could call me a leetle reckless

My dad is a bit of a sporner too. He had a seb cyst behind his ear that me, my sis and SM have had great fun squeezing for years.

Out of nowhere (nobody had touched it) a while back it got infected. He had to go to A&E as the swelling made him look like he had a cauliflower ear. He had to practically bribe a dr to excise it as the nurses wouldn't touch it.

I'd give it one shot myself, and then go drs if it doesn't work.

[DaleyBump]

Shamelessly marking place!

[MutantAndProud]

I bloody hope you're joking.

You've got to remove the entire cyst wall otherwise there is no point. And they're not that easy to remove anyway never mind in an awkward position like on your earlobe.

Go and see your GP FFS, most GPs can refer to other local GPs with minor surgery facilities. The practice I work in does this (I'm a GP btw).

[eurochick]

I reckon you will really struggle to get all of the sac. I had one on my face removed by a plastic surgeon and he had a hard job to get it all as it was well anchored.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

A present just for the OP g

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Link fail

[quirrelquarrel]

I would.

But then I've cut flat moles off before. I know, stupid

[McNewPants2013]

I enjoyed watching those links, but I wouldn't attempt it myself.

[pigsDOfly]

Just googled this. Had to stop watching a you tube video of someone removing one for a friend. Feel sick now.

[Elsiequadrille]

I wouldn't, but I'm not brave at all.
Good luck!

Am fainting at thought of cutting off flat moles, quirrel!

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

ATruth - amazing! I love that one

[DropYourSword]

Definitely go with some numbing cream! I think you can get emla over the counter. You can definitely get a form of lidocaine gel over the counter. And go with the scalpel rather than a needle, like others have said you need to remove the sac wall rather than just squirt or all the crap in there. Also get some anti bacterial spray so you keep ending as clean as possible. And make sure the scalpel is properly sterilized!

I can't believe your GP is so rude as to say he's not doing it because it's purely cosmetic. Well yes, but dip what. It's not unreasonable to want it to be removed. Look at the position he's now put you in!

[SummerRain]

I did dps ear cyst and it never came back [professional ear defunkifier qualification]

It's very satisfying but you do have to make sure you get it all, the sack can be tricky and I'd strongly suggest having and extra (non squeamish) pair of hands in case you can't get the right angle yourself.

[Monty27]

Ice cubes will aneathitise it, one at the front, one at the back. Make sure you have a good mirror and a very very sharp knife, and plenty of tissues.

Hope you're not in a hurry for earrings though

[KatoPotato]

A sac? A sac? Is that why my lumps are gifts that keep on giving? I don't think I want mine to go...