How to Remove a Cyst on Your Back
If you want to remove a cyst on your back by treating it at home, start by applying a warm compress directly to the area several times per day. To speed healing up a bit, you can mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt into the warm water before making your compress. Then, apply a topical cream meant for boils to the area and cover the cyst with a fresh band-aid. Be sure to use a mild cleanser each day to keep the area clean during the healing process.
Apply a warm compress. Soak a clean washcloth, cotton pad, or sponge in warm water and apply it directly to the cyst. Keep it on the area until the cloth or pad cools down. Repeat this action several times each day until the cyst goes away. The heat thins out the liquid inside of the cyst, which ultimately causes the cyst to shrink and heal faster. The water should be very warm but not hot enough to cause burns. You should barely feel any discomfort when you touch the water with your bare skin. You can also make a warm compress by placing a wet cloth in a plastic bag and heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Test the cloth to make sure it isn't too hot before you put it on your arm. Consider adding Epsom salt to your compress. You can also mix 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of Epsom salt into every 2 cups (500 ml) of warm water used for your compress. The salt can speed up the healing process.  However, using too much can also cause your skin to dry out, so you should only apply an Epsom salt compress once or twice a day. Clean the area with soap and water. Use warm water and a gentle, fragrance-free soap that will not dry out or irritate your skin. It is important to have the area clean, especially if the cyst has opened up and dirt and bacteria can get inside of it. It may be necessary for you to get someone to help you clean the area if it is right in the middle of your back. If you can't get someone to help you, try gently applying the soap with a shower brush and rinsing the area off in the shower. Put topical first aid creams on the cyst. If your cyst continues to be sensitive, you may need to apply products to it to reduce the inflammation. Look for creams that are designed to draw the cyst to the surface, such as Boil-Ease. Some people may also find products such as anti-fungal cream or even hemorrhoid cream helpful. Regardless of which topical cream you try, you should apply a small amount directly over the cyst and cover the area with a clean band-aid. Remove the band-aid the following day and apply additional cream if necessary. Be sure to follow the directions included with your cream. If you have any questions about the application of your cream, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid irritating the area further. If you have a cyst that is painful, it is a good idea to cover it with a band-aid when it is at risk of being irritated from rubbing against your clothes. However, cover it lightly and be sure to take off the band-aid when it is no longer at risk of being bumped or rubbed so that the cyst can breathe. For instance, try wearing a band-aid over the cyst during the day but taking it off when you get home and can have the area exposed to the air. Ask your doctor for treatments that will give immediate relief. If your cyst is severely infected or you need to shrink the cyst on your back quickly, you can schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. For a quick and effective treatment, they may make a small incision to drain the cyst. If the cyst is very inflamed, an injection of cortisone or steroids into the cystic area may provide fast relief. Both types of injections should cause the cyst to shrink within hours, and both should also relieve any pain or itching caused by the cyst. However, the use of injections may cause the cyst to heal unpredictably, so you might be left with an indentation or scar after the injection takes effect. This result does not happen to everyone, but it is a definite possibility, so keep the risk in mind when considering this option. Have your doctor drain the cyst. Depending on size and position of the cyst, your dermatologist may recommend draining it with a needle or a small incision. This is an inpatient procedure that can be done quickly in a doctor's office. During the procedure, your doctor will usually numb the area before inserting a needle or small, sharp blade directly into the cyst. The pus and other fluids inside the cyst are then drained through the incision, causing the cyst to collapse in the process. The doctor may apply a little pressure to the area to help the pus and other fluids drain out, and to gently squeeze out the core of hardened pus at the center of the cyst. When done carefully, this procedure does not typically cause any major scarring or pain. Ask about standard excision surgeries. Surgical removal is usually best when you have a cyst on your back that returns time and time again. Standard excision surgeries are usually relied on for most cyst removals. They can be done with a wide or small excision, depending on your cyst. Conventional wide excision surgery removes the cyst completely, so it is especially worthwhile if the cyst is suspected to be malignant or if it has caused other health problems. Minimal excision surgery uses a smaller excision to extract the cyst, and as a result, the scarring is much lighter and more likely to heal completely. It is not as effective as wide excision surgery, however, so there is some risk that the cyst will still return. Even with minimal excision surgery, the incision must be a little bigger than the cyst and will need to be closed with 1 or 2 sutures. This procedure is likely to leave a small scar. Consider getting laser-enhanced surgery. Depending on your circumstances, your doctor may recommend the use of a laser with a punch biopsy excision. During the procedure, the doctor will use a laser to make a small hole in the cyst. The contents of the cyst are then drained, leaving the outer walls to collapse naturally. Roughly 1 month later, the drained outer walls are surgically cut and removed. This procedure takes longer to heal overall, but it leaves minimal scarring and usually prevents the cyst from returning. Follow all aftercare instructions carefully. After removing the cyst on your back, your dermatologist should recommend some form of aftercare treatment. This will be designed to minimize scarring and complete the healing process. Most aftercare treatment involves the use of an antibiotic ointment. This ointment should be applied to the affected area as directed, and you should continue using it until the area completely heals. Aftercare treatment is especially important when a cyst is removed surgically. Some dermatologists may also prescribe a scar cream to lighten and minimize possible scarring. Apply tea tree oil. Soak a sterile cotton ball in tea tree oil and then apply the oil directly to the cyst. Do this 2 to 3 times each day until the cyst shrinks and vanishes. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that may help heal some cysts. It may be more effective as a preventative measure, however, since it cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to reach the inside of the cyst. Use a moisturizer with tea tree oil on acne- or cyst-prone skin to help prevent outbreaks. If tea tree oil dries your skin, you can dilute it by mixing it with a gentler carrier oil, like olive oil or sesame oil. Combine 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts carrier oil and apply the mix directly to the cyst. Consider applying witch hazel to the cyst. Use a sterile cotton ball or cotton pad to apply witch hazel gel or cream directly over the cyst on your back. Use just enough witch hazel to completely cover the cyst, and allow it to soak into your skin before cleaning the area. Witch hazel is an astringent. The tannins witch hazel contains remove excess oil from the skin when the product is applied. As the oils dry up and the pores are tightened, the cyst can begin shrinking. Using too much witch hazel can cause skin irritation, so it is best to use this treatment only once a day. If your cyst has a solid core, witch hazel is unlikely to be an effective treatment. Use apple cider vinegar. Apply pure apple cider vinegar directly to the cyst and cover the area with a clean bandage. Keep the bandage on for 3 to 4 days. After you remove the bandage, you may see a hard layer over the surface of the cyst. Carefully wash the area with soap and water and allow the pus to drain. Once the area is clean, apply a fresh bandage. Keep this bandage on for 2 to 3 days. After removing it, the cyst and surrounding skin should be healed. Apple cider vinegar is believed to help dry excess oils and kill the bacteria responsible for an infected cyst. However, individuals with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate this treatment. If the area burns or severely itches after you apply the apple cider vinegar, you should clean it off immediately and try another treatment option. Apple cider vinegar may not be an effective treatment for severe cysts. It can be a good preventative measure, however. Wash acne- and cyst-prone skin daily with a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water. Apply a paste made with honey. Combine 1/2 cup (125 ml) of wheat grass with 2 to 4 Tbsp (30 to 60 ml) of pure honey in a blender. Blend the ingredients together until a thick paste forms, and apply that paste to the cyst. You may need to blend the wheat grass down into a liquid before adding the honey. Wheat grass is rich in various nutrients that help your skin stay healthy, so it makes a good base for the honey paste. Honey has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, both of which help facilitate healing. Add enough honey to the blended wheat grass to create a thick paste that can be applied over the entire cyst. After applying the paste, cover the area with a clean bandage and leave it alone overnight. Remove the bandage in the morning and wash the area with mild soap and water. Ask your doctor or dermatologist to prescribe or recommend a pre-made honey-soaked wound dressing. The honey treatment is most effective when the core of the cyst has already been removed. Honey will not draw out the cyst on its own. Honey may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some people. If you get hot, your chances of having a bad reaction may increase. Rinse off the honey right away and ask your doctor before using any more if you experience stinging or other side effects. Wash daily with antibacterial soap, especially in hot weather. Cysts often form in areas where sweat, oils and grime accumulate and get trapped against your skin, such as the back and buttocks. If you have a lot of body hair, you might be especially vulnerable to getting cysts on your back. You are also at risk if you are physically active or spend a lot of time in the heat. If you're cyst-prone, ask your doctor or dermatologist to recommend a good antibacterial cleanser. Antibacterial soaps containing triclosan and triclocarban are no longer approved by the FDA in the U.S. Ask your doctor about safer and more effective alternatives, such as tea tree oil soap. Wear cotton clothing when it’s hot out. Your clothing can trap heat, sweat and oils against your skin, contributing to the development of cysts. If you work out or spend a lot of time outdoors in hot weather, opt for loose, breathable cotton garments. Avoid skin-tight garments and synthetic materials, such as Lycra or nylon. Eat a nutritious diet low in unhealthy fats. Eating certain types of foods, especially greasy and processed junk foods, may contribute to the development of cysts. Fatty meats and chocolate can also cause problems for some people. If you're prone to cysts, avoid junk food and stick to a healthy, varied diet with lots of leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins (such as fish or chicken breast). Zinc may help prevent cysts and acne. Good sources of dietary zinc include oysters, poultry, beans, nuts, shellfish, whole grains, and fortified cereals. Take measures to prevent ingrown hairs. Infections in ingrown hair follicles often develop into cysts. While ingrown hairs are not always preventable, you can minimize them by exfoliating your skin regularly (e.g., once a week) and moisturizing your skin daily with a gentle, oil-free moisturizer. If you shave your hair, always wet your skin first. Shave with a clean, sharp blade and use shaving cream or gel to minimize nicks and scrapes. Cleansing your skin regularly with glycolic or salicylic acid cleansing pads may also help prevent ingrown hairs and infected follicles. 
Apply a warm compress. Consider adding Epsom salt to your compress. Clean the area with soap and water. Put topical first aid creams on the cyst. Avoid irritating the area further. Ask your doctor for treatments that will give immediate relief. Have your doctor drain the cyst. Ask about standard excision surgeries. Consider getting laser-enhanced surgery. Follow all aftercare instructions carefully. Apply tea tree oil. Consider applying witch hazel to the cyst. Use apple cider vinegar. Apply a paste made with honey. Wash daily with antibacterial soap, especially in hot weather. Wear cotton clothing when it’s hot out. Eat a nutritious diet low in unhealthy fats. Take measures to prevent ingrown hairs. 