Pilonidal Sinus: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Q: How do I know I have Pilonidal Sinus?

Some of the symptoms to look out for Pilonidal Sinus are:, Formation of a small dimple like structure, Large painful mass, Watery, purulent discharge from the pilonidal sinus, Pain while sitting or a little push due to tight clothing

Q: Where does Pilonidal Sinus develop?

Pilonidal sinus is a cyst or a small hole that can appear near the tailbone (just above the natal cleft). The cyst contains pus and is inflamed. Along with the pus, the cyst also contains hair, debris, dirt, and some blood. It often causes the malodorous discharge. The sinus causes itching and excruciating pain.

Q: Can a pilonidal sinus heal on its own?

In some cases, a pilonidal sinus can heal on its own. But then it can recur and cause other infections also. Hence, it is recommended to undergo laser surgeries that provide permanent relief and it is completely painless.

Q: Is Pilonidal Sinus preventive?

Yes, it is absolutely preventive. It can be prevented by keeping the area clean, losing weight if needed or not sitting long without any break. But once developed, it can be treated with surgeries, especially laser-based.

Q: Can the drainage of pus out from the cyst be done at home?

You should not try to drain the cyst on your own because it increases the chances of infection. Due to the lack of sterile materials, bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. Hence, it is better if you get the treatment from a specialist only.

Q: How pilonidal sinus is diagnosed?

Pilonidal sinus can be diagnosed with the physical examination of the affected area. There are other tests that can be done if there are complications or if the doctor finds that there are some other causes.

Q: Is it safe to undergo surgery for Pilonidal Sinus?

Yes, it is completely safe to undergo the modern laser-based treatment for Pilonidal Sinus. There are no big cuts or incisions involved and the patient heals faster with minimal pain after the surgery. Within 24-48 hours the person is discharged.

Q: What is the recovery time of laser surgery for the Pilonidal Sinus?

Recovery time depends upon the patient's condition and it usually varies between 12- 25 days.

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What is Pilonidal Sinus?

Pilonidal sinus is a small hole or channel under the skin and has pus or inflamed fluid accumulation, which may also contain blood. This happens in the cleft, at the lower back or the top of the buttocks. Pilonidal cyst or the sinus may also have hair or dirt accumulation, which may cause severe pain and foul-smelling pus or bloody discharge.

People with regular sitting jobs are at a high risk of developing pilonidal sinus or cyst. It is more common in men, as compared to women. It happens when the hair at the top of the cleft (of the buttocks) gets pushed inside the body, causing dirt to push inside. The condition gets very painful at this stage. In a lot of cases, pilonidal sinus develops from an abscess.

Overview

Risks

→

Abscess formation

→

Systemic infection throughout the body

→

Rare chances of skin cancer within the cyst

Causes

Wearing Tight Clothes

Hair Puncture

Hormonal changes

Rubbing the skin hardly creating the opening for the hair fall area

Sitting for long hours

Symptoms

Foul smell Discharge

Blood from the opening of the skin

Marks just above the crack of the buttocks

Pain while sitting or having a little push due to clothes

Treatment

Diagnosis

A proctologist will firstly diagnose the pilonidal sinus by a physical examination. Pilonidal cyst looks like a lump, swelling, or abscess at the top(cleft) of the buttocks, towards the lower back. That is the draining or bleeding area, known as the sinus. The cyst is located at the top of the buttocks, and at times, the doctor may suggest blood tests for proper diagnosis. There is no requirement of imaging tests in cases of pilonidal sinus.

Surgery

An infected pilonidal sinus can lead to a lot of pain and intense discomfort during everyday activities. Surgery can help resolve this condition, so it’s important to select a treatment method with a proven success rate, such as laser ablation.

Pilonidal sinus laser treatment at Care expert has a high success rate with no risk of recurrence. By choosing this minimally invasive laser treatment, the patient has good hope that this pain-free laser surgery will be the only treatment he will ever need for pilonidal sinus. Laser surgery is a bloodless, pain-free and quick treatment for pilonidal sinus. The laser procedure intends to clean out the infected area and remove the pit so that infection does not occur again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know I have Pilonidal Sinus?

Where does Pilonidal Sinus develop?

Can a pilonidal sinus heal on its own?

Is Pilonidal Sinus preventive?

Can the drainage of pus out from the cyst be done at home?

How pilonidal sinus is diagnosed?

Is it safe to undergo surgery for Pilonidal Sinus?

What is the recovery time of laser surgery for the Pilonidal Sinus?

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Overview of Pilonidal Sinus

Pilonidal sinus is a cyst or small hole formed near the tailbone (just above the natal cleft). The other terms for pilonidal sinus are cyst and abscess The cyst gets filled with pus and becomes inflamed. Along with the pus, the cyst also contains hair, debris, dirt, and some blood. Usually, it also leads to malodorous discharge. It causes itching and ...

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