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Original poster

Pilar cyst on scalp removal - is this normal?

25 replies

stirling · 18/01/2024 09:20

Had this procedure years ago and remembered it being really easy and straight forward.

Couple of days ago had another Pilar cyst removed and the surgeon was so rough, or so it felt. Anyway post surgery pain has been awful. Really awful. Local anaesthetic wore off within hours and it feels like someone is constantly pulling on my hair. I actually felt that during the op too.

If I raise my eyebrows or make any expression my scalp feels painfully tight around the area of where cyst was removed.

I have two stitches which need to be removed in a week...still have a sprayed on dressing.

Do you think he's stitched it too tight ? That's what it feels like..
Thank you

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 18/01/2024 12:45

I had one removed last year and I do remember it feeling very tight and sore for a few days. There was also much more blood than I expected but then I was probably unrealistic.
There was definitely a lot of pulling and pushing while it was removed.
You could ask gp or nurse to check it if you are still concerned.

Original poster
stirling · 18/01/2024 14:05

dahliaaa thanks for your reply and experience. Did the tight feeling settle after a few days?

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 18/01/2024 16:48

Yes it did and I didn't have any longer lasting pain from it - although I have got a bit of a dent in my head ! Much better than the cyst though

Original poster
stirling · 18/01/2024 17:30

That's reassuring. Wonderful. Thank you

OP posts:
riotlady · 18/01/2024 17:34

Do you mind me asking how you got it removed? I have a massive one on my head which is really annoying but I was under the impression the NHS doesn’t really deal with them

NeptunaOfTheMermaidBattleSquadron · 18/01/2024 17:37

riotlady · 18/01/2024 17:34

Do you mind me asking how you got it removed? I have a massive one on my head which is really annoying but I was under the impression the NHS doesn’t really deal with them

I've been told this as well.

Original poster
stirling · 18/01/2024 19:19

Mine grew for 12 years to the point where it was painful so I insisted. A good doctor referred me, the others I saw previously ignored it

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 18/01/2024 20:22

I had a very large one which kept bleeding etc so they agreed to treat it on nhs.
I have a few others but have already been told that I will need to have it done privately if I want them removed.

intergalacticplanetary · 18/01/2024 20:51

I've had two removed at my doctors. One right on the top of my head and one right at the front just above my hairline like I was growing a horn!I would urge anyone else to at least try asking their GP if they are bothering you. I kept catching my brush on mine and if I banged my head, I would knock them, so it wasn't purely cosmetic.

The second one I had removed was loads more painful before and after but doctor said it was because of scalp being tighter at front.

Original poster
stirling · 18/01/2024 20:57

intergalacticplanetary thank you. Interesting that one was more painful than the other.

That's part of my problem, the first was completely pain free and easy.

This one really feels like the stitches are too tight and paracetamol isn't touching it

OP posts:
intergalacticplanetary · 18/01/2024 21:19

@stirling yes the procedure and healing were both way more painful on the second day cyst. Felt like he was digging my brain out! Whereas the first one just popped out! Healing was a total bitch. Because it was right at the front, I had a swollen forehead and then two black eyes as the bruising travelled down my face. I then had a bald patch for months as the hair took ages to grow back! Still pleased to be rid of the damned thing though! 😂

Hyppogriff · 18/01/2024 21:25

Poor you that sounds rough! I had 4 removed privately a couple of years ago - never spoken to anyone else who’s had them. I hated them so much and was so embarrassed about them… is it basically certain they’ll grow back in different places do you think?

Original poster
stirling · 18/01/2024 21:37

intergalacticplanetary that really does sound rough!
But just imagine if the horn had continued to grow.
Hideous things.

Hyppogriff I've looked into returning cysts and it seems to be genetic. I'm wondering if I switch to a tea tree shampoo perhaps it might keep them at bay

OP posts:
Passthepickle · 18/01/2024 21:46

I have had about six or seven off and a couple were very very sore afterwards but others ok. I had one that got infected and burst - I went bald around it then had the remains removed after it had healed up. Happily my hair grew back but once they were all gone non returned. Non of my kids have them so far.

dahliaaa · 18/01/2024 22:21

They are hereditary in my family. (Although only to some family members.)

Seaoftroubles · 19/01/2024 21:45

I've had several removed in the past, the first time 2 were done and it was pretty painless, even though one was quite large. It had got infected so l had to have antibiotics before they did it. The stitches did feel quite tight and sore as l recall.
The second time one had grown back plus another had appeared. Apparently they can grow back if the sack containing the contents of the cyst ( keratin) isnt completely removed. I now have a new one that needs removal so will be speaking to my GP. It's right on my parting so really annoying!

Original poster
stirling · 03/02/2024 11:59

Seaoftroubles that sounds really awful. I kept wondering if he'd removed everything entirely, he kept asking the assistant for the forceps, even after the cyst was removed and shown to me. It's been three weeks now and still feels lumpy!

OP posts:
Seaoftroubles · 03/02/2024 17:05

@stirling Don't worry,it can feel a bit lumpy to start with due to the site where the stitches were. It should soon flatten out although you might be left with a very slight dip. I think l was just unlucky, my cyst that grew back didn't feel like anything was left at the time, and it was the only one that l've had return. Following the second attempt it hasn't reappeared so far! I do have another that needs to be removed though as its getting bigger and starting to really annoy me!

Pippippipi · 08/05/2024 17:42

I know this is an old thread but looking for a bit of advice. After almost a years wait I’ve got an appointment through for clinic to get my cyst removed.
does anyone know if this will be a have a look and make a plan or if they’ll take the cyst away that day? Thank you!

Original poster
stirling · 08/05/2024 19:42

My first appointment was for the doctor to look, then surgery was booked for a few months later

OP posts:
Monarchofthepens · 08/05/2024 19:45

riotlady · 18/01/2024 17:34

Do you mind me asking how you got it removed? I have a massive one on my head which is really annoying but I was under the impression the NHS doesn’t really deal with them

I’ve been told this as well.

@Hyppogriff ; roughly how much does it cost privately? Thanks

Pippippipi · 08/05/2024 20:27

stirling · 08/05/2024 19:42

My first appointment was for the doctor to look, then surgery was booked for a few months later

Thank you that’s helpful! Can’t wait to be Reid of the thing!

Sofabodatgym · 21/11/2024 22:30

Hi @stirling - I hope you're feeling much better. Now, 10 months later!
I'm also curious how long it's taken? I have the tightness you describe, I basically feel like I've had plastic surgery with none of the benefits. It was a weird nodule/cyst on top of my scalp they insisted of removing, even though I wanted to watch and wait. I'd originally gone in for a face BCC which they did a biopsy for.

thatsawhopperthatlemon · 21/11/2024 22:41

I've had two done, about 15 years apart, and they were both extremely painful afterwards. I now have another one, and really need to see the GP about it as it is starting to feel sore and be a nuisance.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 21/11/2024 22:59

I had one removed which was quite far back from the hairline but when they removed it the root was very long so I ended up with a large incision that nearly went to my hairline. It wasn't hugely sore afterwards but I used to get an occasional creeping sensation, like an insect crawling up my forehead towards the front end of the incision. That was about 20 years ago, and I don't think I've had the creeping sensation recently, but it must have lasted about 15 years.

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