Dr. Nguyen Do Trong, a specialist in pediatric surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, reported that the child's chest had a sebaceous cyst about 2 cm in size. The cyst was swollen, discharging pus, and showed signs of bacterial infection. Surgeons performed a procedure under anesthesia to separate the cyst from the surrounding chest tissue and remove its entire capsule.

Following the surgery, Lien recovered quickly, experienced no pain, and her wound remained dry, allowing for discharge the same day. Dr. Trong advised the family to monitor the child's incision, avoiding squeezing or rubbing the surgical area. He also recommended that Lien consume adequate protein and vitamins to support wound healing and reduce infection risk. If the incision becomes red, painful, or discharges pus, the family should promptly take the child to the hospital for examination and timely treatment.

Dr. Trong (right) performs surgery to remove a sebaceous cyst for Lien. *Photo: Trung Vu*

A sebaceous cyst in children is a benign tumor originating from the sebaceous glands beneath the skin. It contains keratin, a protein vital for forming hair, nails, and the outer skin layer, along with other sebaceous substances. In some cases, these cysts may be associated with skin lesions or local inflammation.

According to Dr. Trong, most sebaceous cysts in children are benign. Initially, they appear as firm, painless lumps, often mistaken for acne. However, when bacteria invade, the cyst can become swollen, red, and discharge pus, causing pain—a sign of infection. Early intervention is crucial to prevent abscess formation, widespread inflammation, and the risk of scarring.

Parents should seek prompt medical attention if they notice a swollen lump under their child's skin accompanied by redness, pain, or pus discharge. To prevent infected sebaceous cysts, parents should maintain good skin hygiene for their children, using mild soap for bathing and ensuring thorough drying of moisture-prone areas like the neck, chest, and back. It is important to avoid squeezing or rubbing small bumps on the skin. Additionally, children's clothes, towels, and bedding should be washed thoroughly and sun-dried to limit bacteria.

Minh Tam

*Patient's name has been changed