A skin cyst is a round, dome-shaped lump that is smooth and has yellow or white colour. A skin cyst is a fluid-filled lump or bump with smelly cheese like substance just underneath the skin. It may feel like a small, smooth pea under the skin’s surface.

Cysts can range in size from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across. Skin cysts do not usually hurt, but can become tender, sore and red if they become infected.

Cysts are common and harmless and most slowly grow with time.