Can a sebaceous cyst turn into cellulitis?

Answer 1

Yes, I have a sebaceous cyst near the hair folicles of the groin area. It has been "plugged" for a few years. All of a sudden 5 days ago it became very red and began to hurt. I figured it was infected, shaved the area, put salve and a large bandaid on it. This was Thursday. Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday I did the same. It became 'hot" to the touch on Friday and Saturday. The area around the actual cyst became red and remained red. About a 2"x3" area. Then on Sunday (4 days later) it began to ooze. I thought it was the salve that brought the oozing out and re-opened the pore. Today (5 days later) I finally got a doctor's appointment. The doctor said if I would have waited longer, I would have had to have anti-biotics intraveneously and the entire reddened area would have to be grafted off. UGH! I am presently on anti-biotics and am to place warm compresses on the area 3x's a day for 2 weeks. I am going to have the cyst surgically removed so it never returns! I am lucky to have gone to the doctor when I did. I'm sure in time it would have just worsened. So yes, cellulitis can occur around a sebaceous cyst. I believe my cyst has been around for over 5 years. In the early days I remember I could squeeze the fluids out, then it became plugged. The doctor said it got so big it just burst.

Answer 2

Cellulitis can form blisters. It is important to get treatment before it becomes this bad.