Medical professionals have suggested that the term "sebaceous cyst" be avoided since it can be misleading.

The scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites of sebaceous cysts, though they may occur anywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

[4] They are more common in hairier areas, where in cases of long duration they could result in hair loss on the skin surface immediately above the cyst.

Cysts may be related to high levels of testosterone, hence may be more frequent in users of anabolic steroids.

Surgical excision of a sebaceous cyst is a simple procedure to completely remove the sac and its contents,[8] although it should be performed when inflammation is minimal.

[10] The typical outpatient surgical procedure for cyst removal is to numb the area around the cyst with a local anaesthetic, then to use a scalpel to open the lesion with either a single cut down the center of the swelling, or an oval cut on both sides of the center point.

If pus has already formed, then incision and drainage should be done along with avulsion of the cyst wall with proper antibiotics coverage.