Cysts, abscesses and lipomas all have one common feature: they cause a lump or bump on the skin. All three are very common and I literally remove a hundred or more lipomas and sebaceous cysts a year.

When bacteria spreads to a cyst in one of the Bartholin’s glands, it can cause a buildup of pus and lead to an abscess. In most cases, drainage is necessary. The Bartholin’s glands are two small, ...