Pilonidal Cyst: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Pilonidal Cyst?

A pilonidal sinus (PNS) is a small cyst or abscess that occurs in the cleft at the top of the buttocks. It can cause severe pain and often becomes infected. It is more common in men than in women. It usually happens in young people. These cysts typically occur when hair punctures the skin and then becomes embedded.

Recovery Time

Depending on the severity of the disorder and the type of treatment, pilonidal sinus will usually clear up within four to 10 weeks.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done by medical history and physical examination of the cyst.

FAQs prepared by doctor

1. What is pilonidal cyst?
A pilonidal sinus (PNS) is a small cyst or abscess that occurs in the cleft at the top of the buttocks. It can cause severe pain and often becomes infected.

2. What is the incidence of this disease?
It is more common in men than in women and it usually happens in young people.

3. How does this cyst happen?
It is thought that the combination of buttock friction and shearing forces in that area allows shed hair or broken hairs which have collected there to drill through the midline skin, or that infection in relation to a hair follicle allows hair to enter the skin by the suction created by movement of the buttocks, so creating a subcutaneous, chronically infected, midline track.

4. What shall one do when one is suffering from such disease?
Keep the area dry and clean and soak in a warm tub several times a day. Wear cotton underwear and clothing. Try not to sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Keep the area free of hair.

5. When shall one consult a doctor?
Consult a doctor if one has pain and redness of the skin, drainage of pus or blood from an opening in the skin or foul smell from draining pus.

6. Can such condition be cancerous?
Very rarely, when you undergo surgery, your doctor will probably send the tissue to the lab for testing just to be sure.