A 33-year-old member asked:
What is a pilonidal cyst?
10 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Zadehanswered
General Surgery 19 years experience
Cyst on tailbone: A pilonidal cyst is a cyst that develops in the midline of the tailbone near the cleft of the buttocks. The most accepted theory for the cause of these cysts is the blockage of hair follicles in the skin of the area which creates "pits" in the cleft of the buttocks. As the follicles become clogged with hair and skin debris, cyst formation occurs.
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6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. John Rimmeranswered
General Surgery 41 years experience
A congenital cyst : A pilonidal cyst is a congenital subcutaneous cyst in the buttock area that can get infected and become an abscess treated by incision and drainage or excision.
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5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Allen Kamravaanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 17 years experience
Nest of Hair: Pilus literally is the latin word for nest. It is a nest of hair in the gluteal cleft. 79, 000 soldiers had this disease during world war ii. It was considered the jeep drivers' disease form impaction of hair while driving jeeps.
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Erik Borncampanswered
Wound care 27 years experience
Nest of hair. : An abscess or chronic infection usually at the top of the crease between your buttocks. Excision would be removal of this collection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
710 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jan Rakinicanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 40 years experience
Shave; have surgery: Uncomplicated cysts can often be managed with shaving the area. Dislodged hairs that work into the cyst cause the infection. Of course, some folks who aren't hairy have pilonidal cysts. If local swelling and pain occurs, infection is likely. Antibiotics can often treat the acute symptoms unless there is a frank abscess- that needs drainage. Recurrent symptoms usually require resection of the cyst.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Allen Kamravaanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 17 years experience
Surgery: There are numerous surgeries available. See a surgeon to discuss options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Jan Rakinicanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 40 years experience
See doctor: Pilonidal cyst can often be managed with local care- shaving hair in the area, occasional antibiotics if redness and swelling occur. Cysts with relatively few symptoms can "burn out" by age 40 or so; it is rare to see folks over 40 with pilonidal cyst symptoms! however, your doctor can help you determine what treatment is most appropriate for your situation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Allen Kamravaanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 17 years experience
Surgery: There are numerous surgeries available. See a surgeon to discuss options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Mark Hoepfneranswered
Surgery 41 years experience
See a surgeon: Medical treatment with antibiotics & soaking in warm bath water may help temporarily. See a surgeon if you need an infection drained or if a surgical procedure to remove the pilonidal region is indicated for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Allen Kamravaanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 17 years experience
Surgery: There are numerous surgeries available. See a surgeon to discuss options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 48-year-old member asked:
Can you pop your own pilonidal cyst?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jan Rakinicanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 40 years experience
Yes; not recommended: You can. It increases the chance of getting a worse infection and worse scarring after healing. See your doctor and let them help in your care.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
I have a pilonidal cyst, what do you recommend?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Uyedaanswered
General Surgery 47 years experience
Initial treatment: Is local heat, antibiotics if necessary. It might come to surgical drainage. If it becomes a recurrent problem, you need to have definitive surgery. Be prepared for about two months before complete healing, depending on extent of cyst or abscess. Show it to a surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What if a pilonidal cyst pops on it own?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Dowlinganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 42 years experience
That would be a : Fairly normal course of events for it to relieve the buildup of pressure from the infected material creating an exit pathway or sinus. Without treatment this scenario may often recur.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Could i live with pilonidal cyst?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Packanswered
General Surgery 33 years experience
Yes: Pilonidal cysts can be painful, become infected, drain purulent fluid or blood. Thay can be treated with antibiotics when infected. They can be removed with surgery. Should you so choose, you can keep your pilonidal cyst and deal with any problems they cause you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
What to do if I have a pilonidal cyst, that doesn't bother me?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Goodrichanswered
Neurosurgery 41 years experience
Pilonidal cyst: The answer is nothing - if you have made it into adulthood without an infection then you are doing well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 13, 2018
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