Table Of Contents
- What is Pilonidal Sinus?
- What are the causes of Pilonidal Sinus?
- What are the signs and symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus?
- How is Pilonidal Sinus diagnosed and treated?
- Bottom-line
What is Pilonidal Sinus?
A Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) is characterized by a small hole in the skin that is filled with pus that leads to the formation of a cyst or abscesses. It occurs in the split region of the top of the buttocks. A pilonidal cyst contains dirt, hair, or residues. It is painful and can get infected. Once infected, it may leak pus or blood and will have a bad odor.
A PNS occurs in men and teenagers. It’s also common in people who sit for prolonged hours, such as cab drivers.
What are the causes of Pilonidal Sinus?
Though there is no exact cause of PNS, doctors believe that it’s due to the changing hormones when boys reach puberty, hair growth, and even friction from clothes, not to mention long hours of sitting.
Activities such as friction can force the hair to grow in the area under the skin. In this condition, the body sees hair as a foreign substance and releases an immune response, just like how it works with a splinter. It is this immune response that creates a cyst around the hair. At times, the person may have to deal with multiple sinuses under the skin.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus?
You may not notice any symptoms initially other than a dimple-like impression in the skin. Once infected, it can easily become a cyst where pus is collected. Here are some of the signs of the infection.
- Pain when you sit or stand
- Swelling of the cyst
- Redness and soreness in the skin
- Hair protruding from the abscess
- More than one sinus tract
- Slight fever, though it is rare.
- Pus or blood draining that has a foul odor
How is Pilonidal Sinus diagnosed and treated?
Traditional treatment
If diagnosed early and if you don’t feel much pain or inflammation, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Though it won’t heal the tract, it will definitely give you immense relief. After that, a follow-up check-up must be done. Make sure to shave the area and give attention to hygiene.
Lancing
In this procedure, the doctor will give local anesthesia. They will use a scalpel to open the abscess and get rid of any hair, blood, and pus from the abscess.
Once done, they will sterilize the area and pack the wound, thus allowing it to heal. The wound will heal within four weeks and will not require any treatment.
Phenol injection
In this treatment, your doctor will give local anesthesia. They will inject phenol, an antiseptic, into the cyst. This procedure will be conducted many times to harden the lesion and close it.
Surgery
If you have recurring PNS or have more than one PNS tract, surgery is the best option.
You will be given local anesthesia. The surgeon will open the abscess, remove all the residues, and will stitch the wounds closed.
Based on the severity and treatment method, a PNS will clear up within 4-10 weeks.
Bottom-line
If you are going through with any of the above signs of Pilonidal Sinus, consult your doctor immediately and get it treated. Prevent it from recurring by cleaning the area every day using a mild soap. Make sure all soap is removed. Keep the area dry and avoid sitting for long periods.
