Symptoms and Treatments for a Pilonidal Cyst

The thing with pilonidal cyst pictures images is that they are far too common. But because they occur in places you wouldn’t mention over dinner, few people ever talk about them. If left untreated, these cysts can become painful and miserable to deal with, and can be uncomfortable to live with. Whether you’ve already begun experiencing symptoms or are seeking relief from a recurring issue, here’s what pilonidal cysts are — and which treatments may be in your best interest. From mild symptoms to getting cut, knowledge is power in the quest for relief.

What is a Pilonidal Cyst?

A woman pilonidal cyst pictures is usually a pocket of under the skin, either at or near the top of the gluteal cleft and it’s about an inch or two above your tailbone. Hair and skin flaps are often found within these cysts. Some are flat and discreet, but they can fill with pus if infected. A cyst might begin small and grow into painful abscesses that disrupt sitting, walking or sleeping. The term pilonidal comes from Greek and translates to “nest of hair,” which is apt, because many of these cysts hold on to a hair strong enough to irritate the skin and cause pus.

They are most prevalent in individuals of a younger age who sit for long periods — students, truck drivers and office workers. Men are statistically more affected than women. But no one is immune — especially those with coarse body hair, deep gluteal clefts or a family history of cysts or skin infections.

The Early Signs and Symptoms

The earlier you spot a pilonidal cyst, the less likely it will cause problems. To start, there might be a tender lump or swelling at the base of your spine. It may be slightly tender or have an abnormal appearance as compared with regular skin. As the inflammation increases in severity, it can cause the area to be red, hot and tender to touch—especially when sitting or wearing tight-fitting clothes. Infection of the pilonidal cyst pictures can cause pus (accumulation of a white-bluish liquid) collection, which sometimes is mixed with blood and emits bad odor. 

But the pain, periodic recurrence and formation of sinus tracts (tunnels beneath the skin) signal that this is more than a garden-variety problem. They may also drain on occasion or crust between periods when their symptoms are active.

What Causes Pilonidal Cysts?

Pilonidal cysts are very common, but it is unclear exactly what causes them; friction and pressure definitely contribute. As the hair embeds itself, a foreign body-induced inflammation occurs in your skin, potentially leading to pilonidal cyst pictures, pus-filled abscesses, and infection.

Those with thick or dense body hair are more susceptible to this condition. Unhygienic conditions, sweating a lot and sitting for long hours are also contributing factors. Genetics may also have a role to play — individuals who are born with deep clefts or congenital dimples in the tailbone area tend be more predisposed to cyst development, as well as those who are prone to skin infections.

When to See a Doctor

If you have chronic pain or drainage around the tailbone, you need to see a doctor. If not addressed, pilonidal cysts may become chronic and also lead to complications. Early identification could prevent the progression of disease and eliminate the necessity for debulking procedures.

Exploring Non-Surgical Solutions

Non-surgical methods may be superior for new or mild instances. Warm compresses and improved hygiene are advised based on the size and infection status of your provider’s cyst. But if a cyst is painful or inflamed, it usually needs to be cut open and drained.

An area is numbed and a tiny cut is made to allow pus to drain during the procedure. The response is usually an early one, albeit the fact that the cyst lining and tracts are intact means recurrence should be anticipated.

If the surrounding tissue becomes infected and swollen, leading to a cyst, antibiotics can be given, but they are not useful for preventing or removing cysts.

Surgical Options for Long-Term Relief

Resection is the mainstay treatment of chronic or complicated pilonidal disease. The procedure depends on the severity. The cyst and sinus tracts is removed by excision under GA or LA.

After excision, it may be left open to heal from the inside out, with lower recurrence but requiring weeks of daily dressing changes. If sutured, then healing occurs a little quicker, but there may be a slightly higher chance of the hernia happening again.

Flap surgery may be suggested in severe or frequent occurrences. This entails rearranging healthy tissue over the wound to relieve tension and reform the region. Flap surgeries usually reduce the recurrence rates, and they are used for more complex cases.

Recovery and Aftercare

Aftercare is critical. Dressing of wound, not sitting for too long, postponing vigorous activity are components of recovery. Some patients sit on pillows to ease tailbone pressure while they recover.

For the long term you can prevent genital pimples by removing your hair on a regular basis, keeping clean and not wearing tight-fitting clothes that rub.

Recognizing Complications

Though most people heal without issue, be on the lookout for infection: increasing pain, swelling, redness, pus with a foul odor, fever or wound reopening (you might notice some blood while changing bandages) should lead you to call your doctor.

Choosing the Right Provider

Pilonidal cysts tend to recur, so you want someone who knows what they are doing in helping to treat them. Ask about how they would be operated (surgical approach), their Post-operative care and recurrence rates. The key to effective treatment and recovery is trust and excellent communication.

Conclusion

Pilonidal cysts are miserable but fixable. A person who is aware of his or her symptoms early and receives treatment can save himself from years, in some cases decades worth of suffering. Whether you’re suffering from your first cyst or have experienced several, effective treatments are available. Most people return to normal, pain-free living with appropriate care and follow-up for pilonidal pain.