“Patients who develop a pilonidal cyst often struggle. Because of its awkward location not many feel comfortable talking about it. But for relief and complete recovery from the condition medical intervention becomes important. Read on to know what it looks like dealing with pilonidal cyst from start until recovery.”
As an expert colorectal surgeon, Allen Kamrava MD, MBA, handles cases of pilonidal cyst with extreme competence. The pilonidal cyst treatment plan is well-explained and perfectly executed to bring along quick relief.
A small pimple-like growth between the cleft of the buttocks can be really painful and challenging to deal with. The condition is known as a pilonidal cyst. The pilonidal cyst treatment becomes mandatory because the condition is rarely self healing. While there are several treatment options available, the course of action will depend upon duration and severity of symptoms. Here’s what to expect if you are suffering from a pilonidal cyst:
Understanding Pilonidal Cysts
There are several reasons that trigger the formation of the pilonidal cyst. The growth of the cyst typically happens between the cleft of the buttocks. It starts if the hair follicle in the area gets infected. It slowly grows in size and packs dead skin cells and pus alongside roots of the ingrown hair. One is more likely to develop the condition if they are extremely hairy and have hard and thick hair growth. This one reason makes men run a higher risk of developing the condition. Long sitting hours, lifestyle habits, and family history of pilonidal cyst are other factors that are taken into consideration.
How To Diagnose A Pilonidal Cyst?
At the onset, the pilonidal cyst is generally without any symptoms. The condition worsens when it gets infected. So if there is a pimple-like growth at the rear side of the body at the end of the tailbone, it is a pilonidal cyst. One may feel persistent pain and discomfort, redness and swelling around the area, or there are signs of pus discharge along with fever. If you experience any of these, seek medical help for treatment for pilonidal cyst.
At the healthcare clinic, the doctor will physically examine the unwanted growth. A checklist for symptoms is filled and imaging tests may be performed to determine the extent of the cyst.
Treatment Pilonidal Cyst
The treatment options for pilonidal cyst are quite diverse. There are effective home remedies, non-surgical methods and surgical excision techniques. Pilonidal cyst treatments are therefore linked to size of the cyst, complexity of the case, and frequency of the occurrence. Let’s look at each one of them in depth:
Home Remedies
Warm compress and Sitz Bath are the two basic tricks that help provide relief from symptoms. But they are typically helpful for non-infected or in people with mild symptoms. These are often seen as the first line of treatment for fresh cases of pilonidal cyst.
Non-Surgical Options
To treat minor infections in the pilonidal cyst, medicines to control infection are prescribed. Pit picking will be done to remove pus and infected fluid inside the cyst. This makes antibiotic therapy more effective.
Surgical Options
The removal of pilonidal cyst through surgery can be done with incision and drainage or more extensive cyst excision surgical techniques. The procedure is done under the influence of local anesthesia. The surgeon may decide to leave the wound open or close.
For more extensive excisions, the surgeon will remove a larger portion of the skin to make sure all infected portions are removed. The wound will be closed with sutures directly. Alternatively, skin grafting with a part of healthy skin may be done to pack the wound cavity. The rhomboid flap technique is the best for complicated excision of pilonidal cysts.
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
The healing after a pilonidal cyst is slow and gradual. It largely depends upon the type of treatment method that one undergoes. In case of home remedies the relief is immediate but not long lasting. For non-surgical techniques, it is important to follow the treatment plan to eliminate all signs of infection.
The post-procedure care is most important after surgical excision of the pilonidal cyst. The recovery timelines will depend upon the type of procedure. It is typically 1-2 weeks for incision and drainage and as long as up to six weeks for close wound procedures. Utmost attention is to be given to wound care, especially cleaning, dressing change and hygiene to increase recovery and improve results. Pain management through painkillers is an integral part of the healing plan. One is also advised about the do’s and don’ts of surgery. Follow these instructions closely to avoid any risk of relapse.
To minimize the chances of recurrence it is advisable to keep the area hair-free. Use hair removing creams, waxing or laser treatment for hair removal. Always practice good hygiene habits and keep the area sweat and dirt free. Make sure you are not overweight as excessive skin flaps increase the dimple in the clefts of the buttocks. This makes the area more prone to infection.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a pilonidal cyst is certainly challenging. The condition is uncomfortable to deal with and recovery is slow. The high rate of recurrence further lowers the chances of favorable outcomes. No wonder, surgical options remain the most sought after for complete recovery. Dr. Allen Kamrava MD, MBA is a renowned colorectal surgeon in Beverly Hills. Through his years of experience, he has helped many seek permanent relief from the most challenging pilonidal cysts. Get in touch with Dr Kamrava today to get personalized advice for pilonidal cyst treatment.
