Why does my pilonidal cyst itch

Certain conditions may increase the likelihood of developing a pilonidal cyst. These include: 2, Although pilonidal cysts are more common among young men, it can affect children, too. KidsHealth provides information to help you identify this skin condition in your child. Cleveland Clinic. Whether you need information on prevention, treatment, or diagnosis, the Cleveland Clinic gives a comprehensive overview of pilonidal cysts.

The ASCRS provides a thorough overview of pilonidal cysts and other useful resources related to this condition. This includes images and a video explaining causes and symptoms. Pilonidal Support Alliance. If you have pilonidal disease, this website is an excellent place to learn more about your condition and receive support from a community.

You can share your personal story, read the experiences of others, or drop by the patient forum to ask a question or get tips. Think you might have a pilonidal cyst? If you have questions, concerns, or need a diagnosis, you can speak with an online dermatologist anytime, anywhere.

Simply upload a photo of your skin. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Pilonidal Cyst. Reviewed: October 8, Medically Reviewed. Symptoms of a pilonidal cyst include: 1 Pain or tenderness Swelling Skin reddening Draining of pus or blood sometimes with a foul smell Sometimes, a pilonidal sinus develops.

But these cysts can return. Treatment is necessary for a cyst that comes and goes, or one that becomes infected. Your doctor can drain or surgically remove the cyst. What causes a pilonidal cyst? Pilonidal cysts occur when loose hairs get trapped underneath the skin near the tailbone.

Your body treats this hair as a foreign object and forms a cyst around it. Activities that cause pressure and friction can trigger a pilonidal cyst, such as sitting for prolonged periods, biking, and wearing tight clothes.

How do you get rid of a pilonidal cyst at home? To ease pain and discomfort, and to encourage a pilonidal cyst to drain, apply a hot, wet compress to the affected area several times a day or take a warm bath. This can help the cyst open. How serious is a pilonidal cyst? For example, these cysts may increase the risk of a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and some cysts can trigger a life-threatening full-body infection.

How can I stop my pilonidal cyst from coming back? To prevent a pilonidal cyst from returning, avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. You can also shave near your tailbone to prevent ingrown hairs in this area. Losing weight can also lower your risk, as well as keeping this area clean and dry. Prognosis of Pilonidal Cyst A pilonidal cyst can be extremely painful, especially if it becomes infected. Draining the Cyst Treatment to drain a cyst is typically completed in the doctor's office or a same-day surgery center.

Not every case of Pilonidal Disease involves an obvious lump abscess , some people just have draining sinuses and abscess is buried too deep to be felt from the top skin. That is a sinus opening. A sinus is a tract that links your abscess to the top of the skin. Not everyone who has a Pilonidal Abscess has a sinus. If you have a sinus, you can be assured there is an abscess to go with it somewhere or one will likely form in the future.

It is possible to have multiple sinuses. Some doctors speculate that sinus openings only form in response to flare-ups, but I can tell you that I noticed my sinus hole a good 12 years before my first real flare-up, so the jury is out on this one. There is good reason to suspect that sinus openings that are right in the center of the buttock midline are, in fact, pits exploded follicles which are the cause of a Pilonidal. It hurts. It really, really hurts.

If there is a sinus, there may also be a foul smelling drainage that can be a variety of colors from clear, brownish, white pus or mixed with blood. For a lot of people, the first time they hear the word Pilonidal is in the emergency room where they had to be carried, screaming in pain the whole way. When a Pilonidal Abscess is infected inflamed, acute, "flaring up" it will swell and make it almost impossible to sit, stand or lie down, since any movement seems to make the pain worse.

Several women have posted that the pain of an acutely infected Pilonidal Abscess is worse than childbirth. So, men, now you know! Itching is your skin's response to the infected fluid draining from the abscess. If you are itching, you have an infection. Not really. In some cases, Pilonidals are visible on a very high resolution MRI with contrast. Pilonidals are also reportedly visible through Ultrasound, although we have actually seen one ourselves, so this may be just a rumor.

The cut is usually left open to heal and close itself. Most people go home from the hospital that day. Recovery takes several days. Surgical treatment usually means a complete cure. A small scar will remain. Pilonidal Cysts. What Are Pilonidal Cysts? What Causes Pilonidal Cysts? How Are Pilonidal Cysts Diagnosed?

The health care provider makes a diagnosis from the medical history and physical examination. How Are Pilonidal Cysts Treated? DO use good hygiene.