Pilonidal Cyst Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
A pilonidal cyst is a condition characterized by the presence of abnormal pockets in the skin which generally contain hair or dead skin tissue. Pilonidal cysts are almost always located near the coccyx, just above the buttocks.
This condition usually occurs when hair penetrates the skin and then becomes embedded. When a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, the swelling that occurs is generally very painful. The doctor can perform drainage to remove fluid from the cyst through a small incision or remove it surgically.
Pilonidal cysts are most common in young men and can recur. Those who do a lot of sedentary activities for long periods of time – such as truck drivers, have a high risk of pilonidal cysts.
Symptom
When infected, a pilonidal cyst can develop into a swelling, which is called an abscess. Signs and symptoms of an infected pilonidal cyst include:
- Pain occurs
- Redness appears on the skin
- Pus or blood discharge from cracks in the skin
- An unpleasant odor coming from the pus
Reason
The exact cause of pilonidal cysts is not known. However, most pilonidal cysts are thought to result from hairs breaking through the skin. Friction and pressure is a trigger factor for loose hair that can penetrate the skin.
The body then considers the hair as a foreign object and will form cysts around the hair. Friction and pressure can occur due to skin friction, tight clothing, sitting for long periods of time, cycling, and so on.
Certain conditions are thought to increase the risk of developing a pilonidal cyst, including the following:
- Gender, in which men are thought to have a higher risk
- Young people, pilonidal cysts most often occur in people around the age of 20
- Overweight or obese
- Less active lifestyle
- Jobs that require a person to be in a sitting position for a long time
- Many have body hair
Diagnosis
The process of determining the diagnosis of a pilonidal cyst is generally carried out through medical interviews to find out the symptoms felt by the patient. In addition, the doctor will also carry out a physical examination directly on the cyst lump.
Treatment
The initial treatment for a pilonidal cyst is generally done by making a small incision to drain the cyst fluid. Local anesthesia in the area to be operated on is usually required for this procedure.
If the cyst occurs repeatedly, there may be a need for a more extensive surgical procedure. The goal is to completely remove the cyst.
Post-surgical wound care is important. Doctors and nurses who treat these conditions will provide explanations about how to change the dressing, the time needed for the healing process, and other things that should be done to prevent the condition from recurring.
During the postoperative healing process, the patient also needs to pay attention if there is an infection in the surgical site. If this happens, the patient should immediately see a doctor to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Prevention
To prevent pilonidal cysts, several things can be done. These efforts include:
- Maintain cleanliness of the body, especially the buttocks and its surroundings
- Lose weight, especially for people who are overweight
- Avoiding sitting positions for long periods of time