Causes and risk factors
Loose hairs penetrate the skin due to friction and pressure. This leads to cyst formation causing infection. Factors which cause it are cycling, prolonged periods of sitting, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, wearing tight clothing, poor hygiene, people having coarse and stiff body hair, excessive body hair. Most commonly it occurs in males. It is commonly seen in drivers.
Clinical presentation
Many times patient is asymptomatic. When the cyst gets infected patient experiences symptoms such as pain at coccyx, redness, swelling, foul smelling pus discharge, fever.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. A routine blood test may be done to check for infection.
Treatment
No treatment is required for asymptomatic patients. Conservative treatment is needed for pilonidal cyst. Treatment is first given for clearing away the infection with help of antibiotics. Maintaining proper hygiene, regular removal of hairs will help in managing pilonidal cyst. A doctor may advise sitz bath. Surgical treatment involves Incision & drainage of cyst. Supportive care is given to prevent further infection.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Pilonidal cyst. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating Pilonidal cyst.
