Do you feel a strange pain when you try to sit down, especially in the lower back, between your buttocks? Does it feel like something is growing inside you and it hurts? You may be too embarrassed to tell anyone about this. But this is not just a problem for you, it happens to many people. This is what we are talking about today.
Simply put, what is a Pilonidal Cyst?
Pilonidal Cyst is a small sac that forms under the skin between our buttocks, just below the spine. This sac can be filled with fluid, air, or sometimes even hair follicles. To be precise, this is a tumor that develops due to an infection in the skin.
Many people are a little hesitant to talk about this, thinking it's embarrassing. But it's not a good idea to keep it a secret. Because these cysts can be painful, and if not treated properly, the problem can get worse. For some, this will happen once and get better. But for others, it can be a chronic problem, recurring. If left untreated, this cyst can fill with pus and become an abscess , or it can form sinus cavities under the skin.
Imagine, during World War II, this was even called "Jeep Driver's Disease." The reason for that is because this condition is common among people who sit for long periods of time.
Who is most likely to develop Pilonidal Cyst?
Although this condition can develop in anyone, some people are at a slightly higher risk of developing it. Let's take a look at who they are.
| High-risk group | Description |
|---|---|
| Male side | Men are three to four times more likely to develop this condition than women. |
| Age | It is common in people from puberty to about 40 years of age. It usually develops most often in people between the ages of 20 and 35. |
| People who sit for too long | People who sit for most of the day, such as lorry and bus drivers and office workers, are at higher risk. |
| Overweight/obesity | People who are overweight are at risk of developing this condition. |
| Thick, coarse hair | People with thick, coarse body hair can develop this. It may also be hereditary. |
| Wearing tight clothes | Wearing tight clothing can increase skin pressure and make this condition worse. |
Is this a contagious disease? Is it hereditary?
No, this is not a contagious disease. It's just like a pimple. You won't spread it to anyone else. So don't worry about it.
However, there is a slight chance that this can be hereditary. Especially if your family has thick, coarse hair, you may also be at slightly higher risk of developing this cyst due to that genetic influence.
Why does this Pilonidal Cyst form?
Experts are still not sure about all the causes of this, but the main cause is identified as ingrown hairs .
Simply think of it this way. When you prick a piece of wood in your hand, it becomes inflamed, swollen, and pus forms around it, right? That's the same thing. When a hair follicle on the edge between the buttocks does not come out of the skin, but turns back into the skin, our body treats it as a foreign object from outside. Then the body starts to react to it. As a result, the area becomes infected, fills with pus, and this cyst forms.
If not treated properly, this infection can become severe and form an abscess or a sinus cavity, which means the problem is getting worse.
What are the symptoms of this?
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, see a doctor immediately.
- Pain: Pain in the area between the buttocks, especially when sitting.
- Swelling: It may start as a small dimple on the edge between the buttocks and then develop into a large swelling. The area may become red and painful to touch .
- Pus or bleeding: This lump may ooze a fluid that looks like pus or blood. The fluid may have a foul odor .
- Other symptoms: Symptoms such as nausea, fever, and fatigue may also occur as the infection becomes severe.
This condition can also occur in women during pregnancy. Don't confuse this with the body aches that are common during pregnancy. If you have this kind of pain, it's best to tell your doctor about it.
How does the doctor recognize this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will first examine you completely, especially the area between your buttocks, to see if you have any signs of a Pilonidal Cyst.
This is usually something that is visible to the eye. The doctor may look like a pimple or a pus-filled lump. In addition, he will ask you a few questions:
- Has the appearance of this tumor changed over time?
- Does any liquid flow from this?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
Very rarely, your doctor may also recommend a CT or MRI scan to look for sinus cavities that have formed under the skin.
What are the treatments for this?
If you are diagnosed with a Pilonidal Cyst, your doctor will provide you with a treatment plan that best suits your condition. The treatment will depend on the severity of your condition. Surgery may or may not be necessary.
| Treatment method | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| Draining the abscess | This is something that can be done right in the doctor's office. A small incision is made and the pus and fluid inside the infected cyst are removed. |
| Injections | Injections containing a chemical like phenol can cure mild to moderate tumors and prevent them from coming back. |
| Antibiotics | Antibiotics are given to control the infection and swelling that occurs on the skin. However, antibiotics alone cannot completely cure these boils . |
| Laser Therapy | This method helps to remove hair follicles that may grow into the skin and prevent the recurrence of boils. |
To manage pain during treatment, you can apply warm compresses . You can also sit on an inflatable cushion to reduce pain.
Do I need surgery?
If you have a chronic Pilonidal Cyst, or if the condition has become severe and has formed a sinus cavity under the skin, this is a serious condition. In that case, surgery may be required to completely remove the cyst (excision) .
After surgery, the surgeon may leave the wound open and pack it with something like gauze, or close it with stitches or a skin flap. It is very important to take good care of the wound after surgery. Your doctor will explain to you how to keep the wound clean, how to remove hair from the area, and what the signs of infection are.
Is this a dangerous situation?
A pilonidal cyst is not life-threatening. However, in addition to being painful, it can cause several long-term health problems if not treated properly.
- Recurrence: Pilonidal cysts can recur in the same or different places. If this happens, it is called chronic pilonidal disease .
- Spread of infection: Rarely, this infection can spread throughout the body (systemic infection). If this happens, it can be life-threatening.
- Cancer risk: This is very rare. But sometimes, there is a very small risk that a long-standing Pilonidal Cyst can develop into a type of skin cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) . That's why a doctor will usually take a sample of pus from the cyst to check for cancer cells.
Therefore, if you have these symptoms, the best and safest thing to do is to see a doctor immediately and get checked out, without feeling embarrassed or scared.
Can't this be prevented from happening?
Of course you can. There are several things you can do to prevent a pilonidal cyst from forming, and to stop it from coming back once it does.
- Cleanliness: Wash and dry the area between the buttocks thoroughly every day, keeping it clean.
- Weight control: If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce your risk.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time: Get up and walk around whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure on that area.
- Hair removal: Shave the area around your buttocks about once a week. Or, use a hair removal product to prevent ingrown hairs.
This is not something to be ashamed of, but a treatable health condition. Be open and honest with your doctor about your symptoms and concerns. Getting treatment early can help prevent this from becoming a long-term problem.
Take-Home Message
- Pilonidal cyst is a painful cyst that occurs between the buttocks. The main cause of this is the growth of hair follicles into the skin.
- People who sit for long periods of time, those who are overweight, and those with thick hair are at higher risk of developing this condition.
- This is not a contagious disease, but don't hide it out of shame.
- If you experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, or pus when sitting, seek medical advice immediately.
- There are a number of treatment options. Surgery may or may not be necessary. Your doctor will decide.
- This condition can be prevented by staying clean, controlling weight, and removing hair.
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