Pilonidal cysts are a common condition, with more than 70,000 cases reported in the U.S. every year. But many people feel too embarrassed to mention it — even to their healthcare providers. Pilonidal cysts can cause pain and need to be treated.
The incidence rate of pilonidal disease is approximately 0.7%. Males are affected 2.2-4 times more frequently than females. During a population study involving college students, the incidence rate was found to be 1.1% (365 of 31,497 people) in males and 0.11% (24 of 21,367 people) in females.
Pilonidal cysts are most common in young adult males, and the problem tends to recur. People who sit for long periods of time are at higher risk of developing pilonidal cysts.
Pilonidal cysts are a common disease affecting up to five percent of the population [1 ,2]. They are usually located in the sacrococcygeal area and are often complicated by cellulitis, recurrent sinus tracts, and abscess formation [3, 4, 5].
Pilonidal disease commonly affects adults in the second to third decade of life. Pilonidal cysts are extremely uncommon after age 40 years, and the incidence usually decreases by age 25 years. The average age of presentation is 21 years for men and 19 years for women.
Pilonidal disease is a chronic infection of the skin in the area between the buttocks. Pilonidal (pronounced pie-luh-NIE-dul) occurs when hair follicles become plugged. It is a common condition that can happen to anyone but is most prevalent among teenagers and young adults.
While the cyst is not serious, it can become an infection and should therefore be treated. When a pilonidal cyst gets infected, it forms an abscess, eventually draining pus through a sinus. The abscess causes pain, a foul smell, and drainage.
Because pilonidal cysts develop near the buttocks, they can cause shame and embarrassment. Remember that healthcare providers see these types of conditions all the time.
So, if you have an untreated sinus tract or cyst, it will not suddenly disappear with age, and may be a problem at any time, even after age 40. Trauma to the gluteal area may cause it to suddenly act up after years of being asymptomatic.
Researchers still debate the exact causes of pilonidal disease, but some studies do indicate a hereditary component.
In severe cases, surgery may be required to fully remove the pilonidal cyst, which may decrease the rate of recurrence. A pilonidal cyst can drain and go away on its own; however, in individuals with chronic pilonidal cysts, symptoms may appear and disappear over time.
Embedded hair and ruptured hair follicles aren't the only possible causes for pilonidal cysts. Trauma, injury, or stress on the skin may potentially cause growths as well. For example, if you tend to sit all day at work, you may place pressure on the cleft between your buttocks.
Surgery is needed to drain and remove a pilonidal cyst that does not heal. Your provider may recommend this procedure if you have pilonidal disease that is causing pain or infection. A pilonidal cyst that is not causing symptoms does not need treatment.
If your child had a pilonidal cyst drained: If the doctor prescribed antibiotics, give them as directed. Change or remove the bandage as recommended. Your child shouldn't take a bath or swim until the doctor says it's OK.
Even if you've had repeated infections, is pilonidal cyst surgery worth it? If it solves the trouble of your pilonidal sinus, then it's certainly worthwhile. And the easier your surgery and its recovery are, the more worth it the procedure will be.
To get rid of excess hair and keep it from growing back in the area of the infected sinus, there are two options. either a razor (shaving) or a depilatory cream such as Nair™ is effective in keeping pilonidal disease from coming back.
Pilonidal disease can affect patients of any age, but young adults constitute the group at greatest risk [8].
Age and Gender of Patients with Pediatric Pilonidal Disease
Hair usually becomes coarser and more prolific after the onset of puberty. Therefore, pediatric patients with pilonidal disease are typically between the ages of 12 and 19. The average age of adolescent patients seeking treatment is 15 years old.
Pilonidal (pie luh NY dul) disease is a condition that affects mainly teenagers and young adults. A pilonidal sinus is a small hole that occurs under your skin between your buttock cheeks, where the buttocks separate. There may be more than one sinus. This is common.
Pilonidal cysts can cause pain and need to be treated. Pilonidal cysts can be a one-time (acute) problem or you may have chronic (returning) cysts. If they're not treated, chronic pilonidal cysts can also lead to abscesses (swollen pockets of infection) and sinus cavities (empty spaces underneath the skin).
Pilonidal cysts look like a small dimple or, in severe cases, they can be as large as a golf ball. If they go untreated, pilonidal disease typically gets worse. Patients may experience the following: Pilonidal pit or sinus, a small hole in the skin that connects to a pilonidal cyst (a nest of ingrown hairs).
Traditional surgery for pilonidal cysts involves excising the wound then packing it with gauze. Recovery from this type of surgery can take weeks or months to heal, is extremely painful, and often results in a recurrence.
Most people ignore the first signs of an infected cyst (a small, hard, raised red spot that could be sore or painful). They think it is similar to an acne pimple and will go away on its own. As the pilonidal bump gets bigger, it may become redder and / or progressively hurt more.
Sleeping on your side – Position pillows to increase your comfort and prevent curling up with your knees or rolling on your back. Some patients use an ergonomic pillow for side sleeping. Sleeping on your stomach – You can put a pillow under your abdomen to support your spine.
A tumour is usually associated with long–standing pilonidal inflammation the mean duration of pilonidal sinus disease that leads to tumours is over 20 years [11-14].