Pilonidal Cyst – Remedies for pilonidal cysts
Pilonidal cyst is a painful cyst that develops near the cleft of the buttocks, below the tailbone. The word pilonidal stands for a nest of hairs. Presence of hair follicles in the cyst has given it the name pilonidal cyst. This is an extremely painful condition, which occurs largely in men.
Symptoms of pilonidal cyst
Some pilonidal cysts do not produce any noticeable symptom such as pain or discomfort. However if bacteria invade the cyst, pus accumulates in the infected cyst, producing inflammation and pain. Infected pilonidal cyst causes pain, inflammation and redness at the bottom of the lower spine. It is occasionally accompanied by fever. Pilonidal cyst occurs in adolescent and young men. It rarely occurs after 40.
Causes of pilonidal cyst
Presence of hair follicle in the pilonidal cyst indicates that ingrown hair is responsible for this abscess. The ingrown hair penetrates or irritates the skin, triggering a local inflammation of the skin. Pilonidal cysts could develop from repetitive irritation or pressure exerted at the bottom of the tailbone such as during bumpy rides. Horse riding and cycling could increase the risk of developing pilonidal cyst. Wearing tight undergarments or pants might irritate the skin and trigger formation of pilonidal cysts.
Pilonidal cyst treatment
Draining the pus from the cyst is the conventional method for treating pilonidal cysts. Your physician would numb the area with an anesthetic. An incision would be made in the cyst to drain the pus, remove the hair follicles and skin debris present in the cyst. If the wound is kept open after surgery, the gauze covering the wound should be changed frequently, until the wound heals completely. Although, it might take a long time to heal the wound, pilonidal cysts treated with this method is least likely to recur. If the wound is closed completely after surgery, despite the rapid healing of the wound, the risk of recurrence will be greater.
To prevent recurrent pilonidal cysts, you should not sit for a prolonged period. People prone to pilonidal cysts should avoid wearing tight fitted underwear. Clogged skin pores could form pilonidal cysts. Frequent exfoliation could remove the debris accumulating on your skin, reducing the risk of cyst formation.
