Apply it for 10 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. This gentle treatment encourages the cyst to drain and heal. If a cyst becomes infected, I generally prescribe an antibacterial ointment.

Dear Dr. K: I have small white bumps on my eyelids that drive me crazy. They don't hurt, but they look awful. A doctor told me they are meibomian cysts. He said they are harmless, but if I want to ...

Drain a cyst yourself with a sterile needle The internet is full of clips of ­people taking a DIY approach to their own cysts. They insert a ­needle and – bang! – it explodes.

Incision and drainage (I&D) is not the preferred method for cyst removal, as it can recur. But in cases where the cyst is infected, it becomes difficult to remove the cyst entirely.

The cyst comes back or is likely to come back. Incision and drainage doesn't work. You have a fever or other symptoms of an infection. Your doctor thinks you might have sepsis or an STI. Surgery A ...

Shunting. Your surgeon inserts a tube, or shunt, into the cyst. This allows the fluid to drain and be absorbed into your body. But because the shunt remains in place, you may become dependent on ...