This all depends on where the cyst is and whether or not it's infected. If a cyst is red, swollen, painful and growing in size, this is an indication that it's infected (this is often called an abscess). At this point the abscess needs to be cut, drained and packed by a physician. The purpose of the packing is to prevent the abscess from reforming. If a cyst is not painful and remains uniform in size then an incision and drainage is not necessary.