As much as managing a chronic disease is tough, living with pilonidal sinus is tough in general but with an appropriate mindset and strategies, the issues can be tackled. A pilonidal sinus is a small tube-like opening that may be present in the skin at the coccyx region which occasionally gets infected and turns painful. So, to avoid the pain and possible infection, we are here with some important tips that can guide you to live as comfortably with this condition as possible. Well, this does not mean you have to forget about the pilonidal cyst treatment. This is the first thing that comes in the list because living with all that pain and discomfort for a very long period is nearly impossible.
Now, let’s discuss the way to live with Pilonidal Cysts and the do’s and don’ts
Do’s
1. Maintain Good Hygiene
Strengthening personal hygiene is important, especially for protecting the affected area against secondary infections.
Daily Cleaning: Clean the wound using soap and water without rubbing the site at least once a day. Do not forget to wipe the place after washing to eliminate any traces of water.
Hair Removal: It is recommended to prevent the hair from entering the sinus and to avoid infections therefore it is important to remove the hair regularly. Try options like laser hair removal or depilatory creams for a skin darkening area as recommended by the doctor before pilonidal cyst treatments.
2. Wear Comfortable Clothing
When a person wears tight garments, the skin is likely to become chafed and this will worsen the ailment.
Loose Clothing: This is why it is advisable to wear free-size clothes that do not hinder free breathing of the skin or rub against it.
Breathable Fabrics: Avoid using any rough or nylon fabric as they may cause the skin to become irritated.
3. Stay Active
Excessive sitting may increase the intensity of a pilonidal sinus, however; being active is helpful in healing.
Frequent Movement: Shun long periods of sitting on your chair. Stand and take short walks to increase circulation especially if one is required to sit for a long time post taking treatment pilonidal cyst.
Exercise: Make sure that the exercising regiments do not exert pressure in the area of the coccyx, this for instance, one should not carryout sit-ups but rather take a walk, swim etc.
4. Use Cushions
Sitting can be quite an uncomfortable position, so be sure to also have as many pillows in place to aid those sitting as is possible.
Cushion Support: Buy a donut cushion with a hole in the middle or a foam wedge when sitting to lessen the pressure on the wounded area.
Proper Posture: Adjust how the weight is placed on the body so that this extra weight does not place stress on the tailbone.
5. Follow Medical Advice
It is therefore important to visit the doctor for a routine check and follow any laid down recommendations.
Regular Check-Ups: Make sure to schedule your appointments with the specialist as often as advised so that the condition will be checked and any complication detected will be responded to immediately.
Medication Compliance: If any medication has been prescribed for the pain or incorporating prevention of infection; then it has to be taken as recommended.
Don’ts
1. Avoid Excessive Sitting
Prolonged sitting increases the condition, and this is particularly true with individuals who work in an office environment.
Prolonged Sitting: It is advisable not to sit down for long period of time. In case you work as a clerk or in another type of a sitting position, make it a point to occasionally stand for a while.
Hard Surfaces: Spare the patient from sitting on hard surfaces that actually places pressure on them and may worsen the situation.
2. Don’t Ignore Symptoms
Some of the ailments have potential complications if specific signs are dismissed.
Early Signs: This is important because you should not assume that your body is strong enough not to show any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus. Seek medical advice promptly.
Pain Management: Pay attention to the signals that something hurts. Take some drugs from a drugstore to help relieve the pain or get some prescription from a doctor.
3. Avoid Aggressive Cleaning
Harsh Scrubbing: Do not scrub the affected place vigorously to prevent causing more harm than necessary. In order to maintain the cleanliness of the area this does not need rigorous washing and cleaning but simple washing is recommended to avoid damaging the materials.
Irritating Products: Do not wash the area with soap or any antimicrobial or alcohol solutions and avoid rubbing the area.
4. Don’t Delay Treatment
If this condition is left untreated it can get worse and this implies that there are complications arising from the deferment of treatment for pilonidal cyst.
Timely Intervention: If you develop any of the following signs and symptoms, visit a doctor, especially if infections are frequent:
Follow Through: Do not avoid the considered surgical procedures if the conservative methods of treating a patient’s health condition are not effective. 5. Avoid Tight Clothing
Why should you Always avoid wearing fitted clothes?
Skin Irritation: Scrub clothing is not recommended and therefore do not wear tight jeans, underwear, or any other material that may cause friction to the infected area.
Synthetic Fabrics: Do not wear synthetic materials, such as polyester that hold sweat and heat that can cause rot and subsequent infections.
Dr. Alen Kamrava: Your top-notch colorectal surgeon & Proctologist
The pilonidal sinus disease can easily be a chronic condition, so Dr. Allen Kamrava, our world-renowned colorectal surgeon & proctologist has come up with important do’s and don’ts you must follow. These are proper hygiene, healthy life habits, and constant medical monitoring as they are the key factors for the effective management of Pilonidal disease. By implementing these dos and don’ts, you will be able to cope with your condition efficiently and avoid making your symptoms worse and missing complications. This is however advisable to discuss with Dr. Allen Kamrava for further diagnosis and advice about your problem and conduct a thorough diagnosis to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. All these tips you will be able to live a comfortable and very active lifestyle even though you are a pilonidal sinus sufferer.
