Do you also have a painful lump between your buttocks? Let's learn about this (Pilonidal Cyst)!

Have you ever had a small lump between your buttocks, that is, below your back, and felt so much pain that you couldn't even sit down? Maybe you didn't tell anyone because you were a little embarrassed or ashamed. This is actually not as rare as you think. This is a condition that many people have, but are a little hesitant to talk about. Today, we will talk about this in detail, very simply.

What is this `(Pilonidal Cyst)`? Let's understand exactly!

Simply put, a Pilonidal Cyst is a lump that forms in the skin between your buttocks, just above where your buttocks meet when you sit, at the base of your spine (what we call the tailbone). It's actually a sac filled with fluid or air . It's often caused by a skin infection.

Think of it like a small blister that forms under the skin, but it's a little bigger and sometimes hurts a lot. The pain is especially bad when you sit down . For some people, this may happen just once and be gone (acute). For others, it can be a persistent (chronic) problem.

These bumps often have ingrown hairs inside them. In the past, during World War II, this was also called "Jeep driver's disease." The reason for this is that this condition is common in people who sit for a long time.

The most important thing is that if this is not treated properly, this infection can spread and cause abscesses and sinus cavities , which can make the condition worse.

Who is more likely to develop Pilonidal Cyst?

No one is immune to this, which means anyone can develop it. But some people are at a higher risk. See if you fall into these categories:

• For men: Men are about three to four times more likely to develop this condition than women.
• Age: It is usually seen around the age of 40, with puberty. It most often occurs in people between the ages of 20 and 35.
• People who work in one place: This risk is higher for people who sit for most of the day, such as truck drivers and office workers.
• Overweight/Obesity: Obesity can also be a cause of this.
• People with thick, coarse hair: Some families have very thick, coarse body hair. People like these are also more likely to develop this condition.
• People who wear tight clothing: Wearing tight clothing can irritate the skin and make this condition worse.

Is this something that is hereditary? Is it contagious?

Sometimes it can be hereditary . This means that if someone in your family has this condition, you have a small chance of developing it too. This can be especially true if your family has thick hair.

But the most important thing is, this is not a contagious disease . It's just like acne, it doesn't spread from one person to another. So don't be afraid of it.

Why does this `(Pilonidal Cyst)` form? What are the causes?

Experts still haven't figured out exactly what causes it. But what they've found so far is that the main cause is a hair follicle in the skin between the buttocks that turns inward and gets stuck, causing an infection . Think of it like getting a wooden stick stuck in your hand. But in this case, a hair shaft gets stuck.

When a hair gets stuck in this way, our body reacts to it. It becomes swollen, red, and infected, forming a cyst. If not treated properly, this infection can worsen and form an abscess or a sinus cavity. These are signs that the skin infection is getting worse.

What are the symptoms of this? How do you recognize it?

If you have any of these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible:

• Pain: The pain is especially worse when sitting. Sometimes, pain can also be felt when standing or walking.
• A lump or small bump between the buttocks: You may notice a lump-like lump, or sometimes a small bump, between the buttocks, at the base of the spine. The area may be red and painful to touch .
• Pus or bleeding : Sometimes this lump may ooze a pus-like or blood-like fluid. This fluid may also have a foul odor .
• Vomiting , fever, and extreme fatigue : If the infection is severe, symptoms such as fever and vomiting may occur along with body discomfort.

Can this also occur during pregnancy?

Although it is more common in men, pregnant women can also develop this `(Pilonidal Cyst).` If you experience pain in the buttocks during pregnancy, it may not only be a normal pregnancy discomfort, but also a symptom of this type of cyst. Therefore, it is wise to see a doctor at such times and get checked out.

How do doctors diagnose this?

When you see a doctor, he or she will first do a complete physical examination. During this time, they will carefully examine the area between your buttocks to see if there are any signs of a lump like this.

Usually, if you have a Pilonidal Cyst, it should be visible to the naked eye . The doctor may see something that looks like a pimple or a lump that is draining pus. If so, he or she may ask you a few questions:

• Did the appearance of this tumor change?
• Does it leak any liquid?
• Do you have other symptoms (such as fever, body aches )?

Very rarely, your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI scan to check for sinus cavities.

What are the treatments for this?

If you are diagnosed with one or more Pilonidal Cysts, your doctor will provide you with a treatment plan that is best suited to you. This treatment will depend on several factors:

• Have you ever had a tumor like this before?
• Have you had any other skin problems (such as boils, boils) in the same area before?
• How quickly do you recover?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, surgery may or may not be necessary to remove the tumor. There are several other non- surgical treatments available.

• Draining the cyst: This is a simple procedure that can be done in the doctor's office. A small incision is made and the fluid (pus) inside the infected cyst is drained.
• Injections: Sometimes, injections containing a chemical compound such as Phenol can cure mild to moderate Pilonidal Cysts and prevent them from recurring.
• Antibiotics : Antibiotics can be given to control the swelling and infection in the skin. However, antibiotics alone cannot completely cure these boils.
• Laser therapy: This method uses laser beams to remove hair that may grow back and cause ingrown hairs.

Until you receive treatment, you can apply a warm compress to help reduce the pain you feel. You can also use an inflatable seat to help reduce the pain.

Does everyone have to have surgery?

If you have a chronic pilonidal cyst, or if it gets worse and forms a cavity under the skin, it is a serious condition. In this case, you may need to have an excision to remove the cyst completely. After that, the surgeon may leave the wound open and apply gauze (packing), or may use stitches (sutures), or a skin flap (skin flap) to close it.

After surgery, it is very important to take good care of the wound to prevent infection. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to keep the wound clean (including shaving the area) and how long to keep it covered. He or she will also tell you what the warning signs of infection are and when to see your doctor.

Will these tumors heal on their own? Can they be completely cured?

Sometimes Pilonidal cysts can drain and go away on their own. If you have chronic pilonidal cysts, the symptoms may come and go.

Surgery can sometimes completely cure the condition, and the skin can heal completely. However, even after surgery, some people may have a recurring ``chronic`` condition. This is especially likely if the condition is severe or if there are family members who have the disease.

How to prevent the formation of `(Pilonidal Cyst)`?

There are several things you can do to prevent these tumors from forming, or to stop them from coming back once they have formed:

• Wash the buttocks area regularly, dry it thoroughly, and keep it clean.
• If you are overweight, lose weight . This will reduce your risk.
• If possible, avoid sitting for long periods of time . This will reduce the pressure on that area.
• Shave the hair around your buttocks at least once a week, or use a hair removal product . This can help prevent ingrown hairs.

Is this a fatal condition?

A Pilonidal Cyst is not a life-threatening condition. However, in addition to the pain you may feel, a cyst like this can cause several long-term health problems. These risks include:

• Recurrence of pilonidal cysts in the same or different places (often between the buttocks): If a cyst recurs, you have a condition called ``Chronic pilonidal disease''.
• Systemic infection: This is a serious condition that can be life-threatening.
• Cancer (especially Squamous Cell Carcinoma – SCC): It is very rare for a Pilonidal Cyst to develop into cancer. However, sometimes this type of skin cancer can develop. If a doctor confirms that you have a Pilonidal Cyst, they will usually take a sample of the pus to test for cancer.

Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as symptoms of a Pilonidal Cyst begin.

Can't you go to work when you have a tumor like this?

Depending on your symptoms, you may need to take some time off from work. This can be especially uncomfortable if you sit for long periods of time. Talk to your doctor about ways to make your work easier and about treatment options to reduce pain.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Although Pilonidal Cyst is not a life-threatening condition, if you do not seek help quickly, it can become a difficult to treat and persistent condition . That is why it is important to see a doctor as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.

Talk openly with your doctor about your symptoms and any fears or concerns you may have . There is no reason to be ashamed or afraid. With prompt treatment, you can recover quickly!