Ingrown hair cysts are often treatable at home without medical intervention, but you should see a healthcare provider for cysts that become infected.

5. Epidermoid Cyst Epidermoid cysts inside the belly button can become infected and rupture, causing a foul-smelling, thick, white or yellow discharge.

A 27-year-old man will have a scar on his face for the rest of his life, after what he thought was a pimple turned out to be an infected cyst.

Cysticercosis occurs when the tapeworm larvae infect human tissues, Ghali shared. “Humans become infected with T. solium by ingesting cysts that can be found in undercooked pork,” Ghali wrote.

The cyst can also become infected and form an abscess, or a painful, puss-filled pocket. Once branchial cysts begin growing, doctors will advise immediate removal to prevent further infection.