Yes, cysts can sometimes hurt to touch, but it depends on several factors.
The pain associated with touching a cyst often arises when the cyst becomes inflamed or infected. Here's a breakdown:
-
Non-Inflamed Cysts: Many cysts are painless and cause no discomfort when touched. These are usually small and located just under the skin.
-
Inflamed Cysts: If a cyst becomes inflamed (swollen and irritated), it can be quite tender. This tenderness is due to the increased pressure and irritation of the surrounding tissues. Touching an inflamed cyst will likely cause pain.
-
Infected Cysts: An infected cyst can be painful, red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Touching it will exacerbate the pain. Pus may also drain from an infected cyst.
-
Ruptured Cysts: If a cyst ruptures (breaks open), the contents can irritate the surrounding skin, leading to pain and inflammation.
Factors Influencing Pain:
- Size: Larger cysts are more likely to cause pain due to increased pressure on surrounding tissues.
- Location: Cysts in sensitive areas (e.g., near nerves) are more likely to be painful.
- Inflammation/Infection: As mentioned above, these are the primary causes of pain.
- Type of Cyst: Some types of cysts are inherently more prone to inflammation and pain than others.
In summary, while not all cysts are painful to the touch, the presence of inflammation, infection, or rupture will typically cause tenderness and pain upon contact.
