A pilonidal cyst is an abscess that forms in the skin over the coccyx. Its exact causes are uncertain, but doctors and medical researchers believe that most pilonidal cysts arise when hair follicles become lodged in the sensitive area of skin due to friction or constant pressure. Some cysts remain small and painless, although they can cause discomfort, swelling, redness, irritation, bleeding, and fluid discharge. A pilonidal cyst can affect anyone, although they are most often found in men between the ages of 15 and 25. Doctors usually treat cysts by puncturing them with needles to drain pus, prescribing antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, or performing surgery to remove the hair infected follicles and tissues.
Cysts usually develop when hairs penetrate the skin just above the buttocks, leading to infection and a buildup of dead skin and dirt. Pus usually forms and oozes from damaged skin. Most pilonidal cysts occur when the skin of the coccyx is subjected to friction from tight clothing or pressure from sitting for long periods of time. People who are most likely to develop cysts are young men who have a lot of body hair, poor hygiene, or weight problems. A person who leads an inactive lifestyle or has a job that requires constant sitting may also be at risk of developing a pilonidal cyst.
Most cysts cause a series of telltale signs of symptoms. The actual pus-filled cyst can usually be seen, along with swelling and redness around the area. A developed pilonidal cyst may ooze pus and blood when the skin is broken by contact with clothing, a chair, or a bed. Cysts can often feel itchy, uncomfortable, or even painful to the point where walking and sitting become difficult. A person experiencing a pilonidal cyst should contact their primary care physician, who can determine the best treatment option.
A doctor can relieve a patient's symptoms of swelling, redness, and irritation by prescribing oral or topical antibiotics and physically draining cysts. The doctor usually cleans the area with soap and water, removes any visible skin and hair, numbs the skin, makes a small puncture in the abscess, and squeezes out the fluid and excess blood. This procedure is usually enough to stop the development of the cyst and promote a complete recovery in one or two weeks. A very large, stubborn, or painful abscess may require a surgical procedure that involves cutting out the pilonidal cyst, cleaning it out completely, and covering it with gauze and antibiotics. Patients are usually instructed to keep the area as clean as possible and free of body hair to prevent recurring cysts.