Sebaceous cyst on my penis...again

There's a sebaceous cyst on the top of the shaft of my penis, right in the middle. I'm almost positive it's a sebaceous cyst. And it's driving me crazy. It's always looming at the back of my mind. I'm a virgin because of it. I'm eighteen by the way and in college. I once had a sebaceous cyst before this, and I was so nervous and anxious about it that I cut it off myself. I first used a hot light bulb to melt the contents of the sac. Then I disinfected the area with rubbing alcohol, and did the same for a pair of tweezers. I used the tweezers to break the sac open (and the contents had a foul odor, it was a cheesy substance which I'd assume was sebum mixed with blood), and then picked away the remains of the sac, all the while applying rubbing alcohol to make sure I didn't get an infection. It became a scar, and for a while I was cyst free.

Now the cyst seems to have returned, almost a year later. This cyst is right NEXT to (not on top of) the old scar, so I figure it must be a new cyst altogether. This time I'm in college. I have a roommate. I don't have my own space to operate on myself. And this cyst is doing terrible things to my social life. I feel awkward around women, extremely awkward, especially if I notice them trying to flirt with me. No matter where I am, what I'm doing, who I'm with, I can't really enjoy the situation because this cyst is always on my mind... I know I could go talk to the campus health services, but even if they did remove it, what I grew another one? I've been applying heat to the cyst every day in the shower, and after I do this, it immediately looks smaller, but once it's cooled down, it returns to its original size (one or two mm). It's very noticable (to me at least). I really want it gone. What can I do?

[Diana670]

Ok, I am woman, and I am going to answer your question.  You need to go on the health services, and if you can, go see a urologist.  Operating on yourself is a bad idea, and do want your penis to get infected and have to be cut off due to gangrene? Come on, be a man, and go see the doc.  If it is a harmless cyst, they can take care of it the proper way, and you can get on with your life.  If it is NOT a harmless cyst, you can still get it taken care of properly without doing yourself anymore damage.  Please.....you have to take care of yourself, especially if you want to find a girl and have a relationship.  Women think men are hot that take care of themselves....did you know that?  :o)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac occurring just under the skin which contains a "pasty" or "cheesy" looking substance called keratin. They may occur anywhere on body but scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites for sebaceous cysts. Blocked sebaceous glands, swollen hair follicles and excessive testosterone production will cause such cysts.

Generally no treatment is required but they become painful then it means they are infected, Then surgical excision by traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision may be required.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[dude455]

It turns out that it was a sebaceous cyst. I went to a doctor and had it removed, it seems that it was not serious at all.