Has anyone had success having cysts removed on the NHS?
Posted by epifauna__@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 47 comments
I've had this on my scalp for a few years now, (I noticed it in 2023) it's slowly grown and is now incredibly easy to feel, and often painful. Not infected, but I catch it all the time when I'm brushing my hair and it constantly bothers me. It's sore to the touch and feels like this constant small pressure against my scalp. It's not visible so I don't want it gone for aesthetic reasons, I want it gone because it distresses me (I know it's benign, but it hurts and I hate having it there and I want it gone).
Has anyone had or heard of success stories of people getting cysts removed for this reason? I mentioned it to my GP and he said it was a benign cyst and probably didn't need removing unless it kept becoming infected. Paying privately isn't something I can consider at the moment.
Any success stories or advice or recommendations would be appreciated!
EyeSpy1359@reddit
I'm sorry your GP was unhelpful and dismissive. They shouldn't have been.
Try again with your GP, maybe even see a different one if you can. Emphasise what you've said here, that it's sore and causes you distress, pain and a pressure on your scalp. They should refer you to a dermatologist (possibly via a cancer check-up just to make sure) - you'll again need to really focus on the problems the cyst causes you and they should agree to remove it.
You can definitely get it sorted through the NHS. I know this from recent experience of having skin tags/benign moles removed and while I was in the waiting room I was chatting to a man who was there to have a cyst removed from his back. You'll likely have to wait a few months to be seen but from there it's pretty swift. My minor surgery took place 2 weeks after the initial consultation with the specialist and this other chap's was 3 weeks after his.
Good luck 🙏
pianomed@reddit
It likely depends on where you live. I am a GP and our local integrated care board has specific rules about when benign lumps can be referred for removal and we have to apply for specific dispensation for funding saying it meets those criteria otherwise we aren't allowed to go ahead. Persistent ongoing pain may be a criteria but it may have to be accompanied by some functional impairment. I'm sorry it's causing you bother unfortunately this is an area the NHS doesn't prioritise.
decidedlyindecisive@reddit
We've been told they don't tend to remove cysts these days as it's hard to get the whole sack. If they don't get the whole thing, it just regrows.
But that's only if it's not causing problems. So OP needs to stress that it's causing issues.
My husband has a few, one of them keeps getting infected and they still won't do anything about it. Drives me nuts.
FitSolution2882@reddit
I'm going through the same issues.
Had several removed via private insurance when I had a job with it.
Several more now that are getting quite big. I've had to fight to even get appointments for them.
They threw antibiotics at them which did nothing but make me sick....
Now I'm going back to be extremely dramatic about them and raise formal complaints if they don't.
epifauna__@reddit (OP)
When you had the private insurance, how did that work? Was it that it was easier to get someone to refer you, or was it that the insurance covered the price of a 'cosmetic' removal? I think I might have access to Bupa through my dad's work but I'm not sure how it works
FitSolution2882@reddit
It was BUPA IIRC.
I just asked for a GP appointment (think it was same day). Then they immediately referred me to a private clinic within maybe a week? I can't remember if they then did it immediately or waited until the next (very quick) appointment.
It was extremely quick.
The disgusting thing is that the exact same clinic does a lot of NHS work....
NutAli@reddit
Keep going back to your GP, be persistent, tell them it does hurt because you can't brush your hair without touching it!
If you're not constantly on about it the GP won't do anything as they'll assume it doesn't hurt!
Ask at the surgery if they have another doctor you can see about it? A doctor, not a locum or nurse, it has to be a doctor!!
It's a pain in the ass, but you have to annoy the F out of them to get them to take you seriously!
Good luck.
OfficalSwanPrincess@reddit
It's disgusting that we have to do that, I've paid national insurance (as everyone else) and have very rarely used it so for them to turn around and deny something is infuriating.
FitSolution2882@reddit
They told me to go private several times and I gave that exact response!
Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit
I have one on my back, one on my neck, one on the side of my knee and behind my ear. I've had them for years. GP told me that unless they are in a place they shouldn't be, they won't remove them. They will come back if they do remove them. Apparently, if you get cysts you are susceptible to them. Which is great news, not.
I'd love to have mine removed, my back one has only got infected 3 times but it's disgusting and it's right where my bra strap goes. It's a pita but probably not a good reason for it to be removed.
DTH2001@reddit
I’ve had a couple of pilar cysts removed. They were done by the GP at my request.
One left a slight scar, but it’s hidden by my hair
Prologic87@reddit
The NHS will only remove them if they can cause a danger to your health.
I had one removed by the NHS because it was directly over my spine.
I had another on my waist that I had to pay to have removed privately since it wasn't going to cause any danger, it was just painful and annoying. My GP said they wouldn't do anything about it.
Private removal is only about 200 to 300 though so well worth it if its bothering you.
NecroVelcro@reddit
You have no idea of the OP's financial situation. "Only about 200 to 300" isn't "only" to everyone.
Prologic87@reddit
Their financial situation is of eternal irrelevance to me. The price is the price. If they can afford it then it's worth it for the relief. If they can't then they can't, it doesn't change the facts which is all I'm relaying here and it's all op asked for.
No_Pea-1@reddit
My mum had a cyst. Her gp said they wotn remove it. So she asked for some sterilising wipes because she was going to do it herself, and said she found a YouTube video to help. Gp said they'd do it.
Portas30k@reddit
No I had to go private. Went to spire health in Blackpool who have a see and treat, it was an NHS consultant moonlighting, literally looked at it, discussed it a bit and cut it out. Cost a few hundred. Had zero help off GPs for several years.
Y2Reigns@reddit
Get a second opinion. I have a small Ganglion cyst on the back of my hand that causes me discomfort, the hospital were very much 'Oh, it's tiny.' but if it affects your daily life, then it has to be removed. You might want to ''exaggerate'' how painful it is, and say it's important that it gets removed, so they have no choice but to listen to you.
I am on the waiting list, which is up to 25 weeks though.
JeevestheGinger@reddit
Just a warning, ganglion cysts are difficult to deal with because they're filled with synovial fluid coming from between the joint spaces, they aren't like a typical cyst where dead skin cells are shed into a sac that can be removed. They can be drained but they just come back because the leak isn't fixed, and that tends to need orthopaedic surgery. I'm guessing you're already aware of this but just making sure!
Y2Reigns@reddit
The GP told me, yeah. I don't mind if I have to keep getting it removed ( I mean, hopefully it will be a one and done thing! ) but I can't have it staying there. I'm a Carer and it affects my ability to do certain jobs. They told me they would cut it out rather than drain it, I think that's why my waiting list is so long.
e_lemonsqueezer@reddit
I just smacked mine with the heaviest textbook I owned 🫢 - 10 years later it hasn’t returned. (This is not medical advice, so called ‘bible bashing’ for a ganglion cyst is an outdated method)
One-Program6244@reddit
I had one years ago on the back of my neck just at the hairline. Went to my GP and he offered to remove it himself. I guess he was qualified and experienced enough to do it. I just rebooked another appointment. Went in, numbed the area and took it out. He sent it off for analysis just in case it was something else but it was pretty straight forward for me.
AlternativeAd1984@reddit
My husband had one on the back of his neck which grew over time and became quite visible. It wasn’t exactly painful, but he was starting to catch it when he brushed his hair. He went to the GP and they referred him to dermatology. I can’t remember how long it took for an appointment but I think it was definitely gone within a year.
Myself on the other hand, I had a smallish cyst in between my boobs which I just hacked out myself. It was really satisfying and it’s never come back!
dannoutt@reddit
I had 3 on my head and one of them because of the position I kept hitting the bed frame whilst sleeping which could be quite painful. Mentioned to the GP and he warned me about the fact that hair would then not grow over the scar and that my hair might be thinner in that area, I agreed to it and he referred me to the plastic surgery department to get them removed. Start to end was about 2 months because I had to reschedule my surgery. This was in Scotland.
daydreamingtulip@reddit
I also have one on my head and my doctor literally said, if it starts catching when you brush your hair come back and they’ll remove it
hellvixen1966@reddit
If they are sebaceous cysts which are often found on the head the NHS would remove them only if they are causing other problems or sometimes if causing severe emotional distress. I used to be a scientist in Pathology and no one wanted to deal with these as they stink to high heaven and due to the nature of them are really difficult to prepare them .
Temporary_Hair1477@reddit
My partner has a cyst on his forehead, had it for years. Recently it started growing a bit and was painful so he went to his gp. His gp said it’s too small and NHS won’t do it.
I have a cyst on my foot, sometimes very painful when I walk, and it’s also not small. They put me on a waiting list for a scan to see what it is - been waiting a year and a half now and nothing happened yet.
If it bothers you I would go private because that’s what I’m gonna do 😅
Clara999@reddit
My mum has one in a similar place, she has it removed on the NHS every few years as it grows back. Three times so far, most recently this year, so it definitely can be done. If you can, speak to another GP and emphasise the pain and distress it us causing you . Good luck
Senam1ne@reddit
I’ve had a cyst burst and it had to be lanced under general anaesthetic because it was so deep and productive and not actually painful once it burst, it was done like a couple of days after referral. I had another painful one a few years later that again I was given a quick referral for but it didn’t need an operation because I’d been given antibiotics which had pretty much cleared the infection by the time I was seen. I had one of those call us if you get another infection within the year by the hospital but it didn’t reoccur. They were both in the same place on my hairline at the back of my head. Please try going to A&E if your GP isn’t being helpful. Hope you get it sorted, the pain is awful
e_lemonsqueezer@reddit
An infected cyst is not the same as a non-infected one. A&E is inappropriate for OP.
JeevestheGinger@reddit
A&E will be a huge waste of time, please don't do this. A cyst is neither an accident nor an emergency, there is no treatment they can offer and will send you back to your GP after you've waited several hours.
brokenalarm@reddit
I had one on my stomach, the gp told me the nhs would remove it… but only once it got to 5cm across. I paid £400 to have it removed privately by a guy in York because I was already self conscious of it and certainly wasn’t going to wait till it was that big and then have a big scar too.
GingerbreadMary@reddit
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-cyst/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20large,it%20removed%20on%20the%20NHS.
No-Marzipan4261@reddit
I used to refer these all the time (I still do). I’m not sure why your doctor was dismissing this. From my perspective, takes 5 minutes to do a referral for a simple benign lesion removal.
wrongfully-banned@reddit
Just had a lump removed from the back of my hand which was causing a lot of pressure in my palm. When I initially went to my GP, was seen by a nurse who immediately diagnosed it as a ganglion cyst and told me to go private. Luckily my brother who was a GP advised that it was too structured to be a ganglion so I was able to argue with the nurse and asked for a second opinion from a doctor who confirmed it is unlikely to be a ganglion based on location and structure.
I was then referred for an ultrasound who couldn't confirm what it was. This was followed by an urgent sarcoma referral for an MRI followed by being booked in for surgery with an orthopedic surgeon.
Process from getting scans to removal took 4 months and I am currently recovering 2 weeks post op.
Nicky2512@reddit
As a GP I used to remove these things in house. Go back and insist I suspect they will refer you these days . Minor ops seem to be something GPs won’t do any more, unfortunately
CurvePuzzleheaded361@reddit
Very dependant on the trust, but you have nothing to lose by going back to another gp and asking for a second opinion. Explain hoe much it affects you. If not private removal is very reasonable, cost my uncle £260 last year.
fillerbitch@reddit
Hey.
A couple years ago I was in the EXACT same situation.
It was very mild discomfort but I just played it up slightly and I got it removed no problem.
kateykatey@reddit
I have a neighbour who seems to get a few removed a year surgically just by moaning about it to the doctors relentlessly and constantly nagging them for painkillers.
I get them twice the size just as often but I am terribly polite about it and would hate to trouble anyone. I am frankly ridiculous.
Guess which one of us is suffering. Go bother your GP more - it really does sound frustrating to not be able to brush your hair properly.
Getting effective care from the NHS is such a postcode lottery right now. May the odds be ever in your favour, cysts are miserable.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
My Dad had some removed. But he was bald.
I had an eye one -stress related - they were debating removing but thankfully resolved.
If it is constantly and scabbing, then that is higher odds of infection. Log how often it is affecting you as more proof of impact, more likely removal to be considered.
ProfessionalKey4143@reddit
Wright down how this cyst affects your life, ei brushing your hair, washing your hair, drying your hair, putting clothes on over your head, anything like this and then go back and ask to see a different GP, you are entitled to have this removed as it is affecting your day to day life and your mental health, this is how my husband got his removed, good luck xx
Disastrous-Emu2013@reddit
They wouldn’t remove the cysts from my cheek that gave me a temp, they worry lancing it will cause the infection / goop to get in the blood stream - although I was quite unwell from it anyway, had 13 more after that from MRSA, not one would they touch
Theres also a huge shirtage on dermatologists so you would be waiting a while, but if you dont ask as the saying goes, speak to GP and get a referral, they can only say no or put you on a waitlist, but also enquire at private clinics (where all the dermatologist went)
RedonculousCherry@reddit
They didn't want to remove a cyst on my partners cheek, the consultant said its probably not necessary but its up to you. My partner chose to have it removed and the surgeon said it was definitely for the best to remove it.
Brian_from_accounts@reddit
GP did my fibromatosis
rjle_x@reddit
I had a huge cyst on my shoulder blade for about 3-4 years. Tender and sore to the touch. Doctors originally wouldn’t do anything as it wasn’t causing any problems. After back and forth they said they’d put me on the waiting list for minor surgery. Six months go by, I hear nothing. I ring up- they say there’s no waiting list so I’ll have to start the process again… so I ‘threatened’ that if they don’t remove it I’ll cut it out myself lol it was removed that same week
stm2657@reddit
I have had three removed. One because it was on my chest and got infected, was done under a general anaesthetic. Two on my back- neither dangerous, went to GP who booked me in to a local centre and they were removed three weeks later. This was only last year. For cysts, the NHS is quite quick in my experience (West Sussex).
RedonculousCherry@reddit
I'm not 100% sure but I should think you are eligible for removal, especially as it causes discomfort. My ex had one on his head removed so I know that it's possible
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