Symptoms of Dermoid Cysts
In most cases, the only symptom of a dermoid cyst is a small, painless lump under the skin that you can see or feel. The lump may be the same color as your child's skin, or it may have a pale yellow cast. Dermoid cysts usually show up in certain parts of the body:
- On the face near the eyebrow
- On the scalp
- On the chest
- Over the collarbone
If a dermoid cyst gets infected, it may hurt. It may become swollen and red. The infection may cause a fever. An infected cyst may burst.
Dermoid Cysts Diagnosis
The doctor will examine your child, feel the lump and ask questions about it. The doctor will want to know when you first found the lump and how fast it's growing. Usually, a physical examination is all the doctor needs to diagnose a dermoid cyst.
If the doctor thinks your child's cyst is connected to other tissues, your child may need to have other tests that will help the doctor see how far the cyst extends:
- X-ray
- CT (computed tomography) scan
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)