The Pilonidal disease occurs when a tissue sac near the crease of one’s buttock gets filled with fluid due to a skin infection. They might cause pain and need proper treatment. At times, it can be acute and occur once, while some other cysts might be chronic and might keep returning. If you suffer from this condition, then you can follow these tips to relieve your symptoms.
Tips to identify a pilonidal disease
At first, there might not be much of a noticeable symptom except that you might have a pimple-like protrusion from your skin. However, soon when it becomes an infection, an abscess will form on the skin full of pus, or it might turn into a cyst.
You might experience the following signs if you have the pilonidal disease.
- Pain during standing or sitting
- Swelling of your cyst
- Soreness or redness on the area around the cyst
- Formation of holes in the affected area
Treatments for pilonidal cyst
Most doctors advise people to get pilonidal sinus surgery to treat this condition. However, to prevent reoccurrence, one must follow these tips.
1. Practicing Proper Hygiene
Maintaining proper hygiene in the affected place can prevent other cysts from forming. For instance, you wash the place with some lukewarm water and mild soap to ensure the thorough removal of debris and bacteria. In addition, you must avoid irritating the skin. Also, try to keep the area cool and dry to stop any infection.
2. Avoid sitting for long hours
A pilonidal cyst infection generally occurs as a result of prolonged sitting. So, in case you need to sit for long periods, try to take some breaks in between. During this time, try to walk around to relax the skin and relieve pressure around the pilonidal cyst. For some extra support, you can also use a pillow and cushion to reduce the stress.
3. Maintain proper weight
People with heavy weight who sit for long periods and lead a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to the development of pilonidal cysts. Therefore, to avoid putting pressure, try to reduce your weight by exercising on a regular basis. In addition, you can also try eating a more balanced diet. If you are unable to lose weight, consult with a general physician to determine the underlying problem. They will be able to provide you with instructions on dietary changes that will also enable you to develop a good immune system and reduce the risk of recurrent infections.
4. Apply some warm compress
When you apply a warm compress to your pilonidal cyst infection, it enhances the process of healing. It helps this by relieving pain and allowing drainage from the pus-filled sac or the abscess. Additionally, the warmth of the compress will improve the blood circulation in the area, which will allow it to heal better. Hence, after coming back from work every day, you can try this technique, and if you have got a pilonidal cyst surgery, ask them whether you can use this method during the recovery process.
5. Avoid touching the area
It is essential to avoid touching the area of the pilonidal cyst surgery with your bare hands. Sometimes, our hands contain bacteria that we might not be able to see with our naked eyes. Moreover, we must avoid other activities that might affect the pilonidal cyst and cause strain.
6. Keep the place hair free
Since the very reason for a pilonidal cyst formation in most cases is ingrown hair, doctors ask their patients to keep the affected area or the surgical site completely free of hair. You can use hair trimmers or other hair removal creams that might help you to get rid of excess hair without causing much discomfort. However, you must avoid cutting or shaving your hair with a razor as it might make the skin sensitive and more vulnerable to recurrent infection.
Bonus tip
Your doctor might provide you with some medicated ointments that you might need to apply from time to time to keep the affected area on the skin healthy and prevent the recurrence of any infection. So, try to keep the place neat and tidy and apply these medicated creams to fasten the process of healing.
Final words
The pilonidal disease occurs mainly from ingrown hair. Once the hair gets under the skin, it causes an inflammatory reaction on the skin. Soon, it leads to an infection. If you notice any pain in the creases of your buttock, you might need to consult a pilonidal cyst doctor to check for cyst formation.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to treat a cyst with home remedies, especially if the problem turns chronic. In those instances, it is advisable to undergo surgery after consulting a surgeon. During the follow-up care, your doctor might ask you to keep the area clean by washing it with soap and warm water. In addition, other treatments might include applying warm compresses and avoiding sitting for long periods. By following these methods and more, one can reduce the risk of pilonidal cyst formation and prevent the recurrence of this condition.