Acne, Pimples and Skin Disorders |
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Pilonidal Cyst , Causes, Symptoms, Pilonidal Cyst Treatment
A pilonidal cyst or sinus is an abscess develop when a dead hair or hairs are pushed into the skin forming a canal or passage and located in the opening between the buttocks muscles.
Pilonidal cysts are harmless until they get infected, at which point they form an abscess that causes pain, a foul smell, and drainage.
The term "Pilonidal Cyst" is actually incorrect. 99% of all Pilonidals are actually abscesses, not cysts. Use of the word "cyst" has caused a great deal of misinformation about treatments among doctors and patients alike. The most common place for a pilonidal cyst to develop is in the skin over the tailbone, just over the cleft in the buttocks.
Pilonidal Cyst Causes
Most doctors think that ingrown hairs cause pilonidal cysts. Pilonidal means "nest of hair." There are 3 suspected primary causes of Pilonidal Disease and no true consensus among medical researchers that covers every case. Just like in life, there are exceptions to every rule.
It is common to find hair follicles inside the cyst. A pilonidal cyst can be painful enough to make sitting or walking difficult, and in some cases pus or blood may drain from the pit.
Pilonidal Cyst Symptoms
- Pain at the bottom of the spine
- Swelling at the bottom of the spine
- Redness at the bottom of the spine
- Draining pus
- Fever
What you should do
- If the cyst is not infected, keep the area clean and dry. Bathe or shower daily and wash the area well with a germ-killing soap. Taking hot tub baths helps prevent infection. Dry the area well with a towel.
- Avoid tight clothing.
- If the cyst is infected and needs to be cut open and drained, your doctor will pack the wound with gauze. This allows the wound to heal from the inside outwards. You should return to the doctor's office in a few days for a follow-up wound check.
- Do not take tub baths or showers until the gauze is removed. You may wash at the sink.
- After the gauze is removed, apply a warm, wet wash cloth to the area or sit in a tub of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day to relieve the pain. Then clean the wound gently with mild, unscented soap.
- If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic to fight the infection, take all of the medication exactly as directed, even if you are feeling better. If you stop treatment too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you. If you are using a pain reliever, take it exactly as directed.
Pilonidal Cyst Treatment
Pilonidals rarely go away on their own. Most require some form of surgical intervention, although there are cases of "disappearance" after a lancing or antibiotic treatment. The preferred technique for a first pilonidal cyst is incision and drainage of the cyst, removing the hair follicles, and packing the cavity with gauze. Antibiotics do not heal a pilonidal cyst. Doctors have any of a number of procedures available, including the following treatments.
The consensus is that cysts of this type should be left alone. Good hygiene and hair removal should be practiced diligently. Some Prevention tips -
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Avoid prolonged sitting on hard surfaces
- Remove hair from the area
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