Have you ever heard of a pilonidal cyst or a hair fistula? Or have you come across someone complaining about its presence?.
Follow this article with us to learn more about the cause of the pilonidal cyst, its symptoms and treatment.
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| Pilonidal cyst: its causes, physical therapy and types of surgery |
pilonidal cyst
It is a small pill or hole on the skin that contains fluid, dirt and hair, it appears in the area of the buttocks or the base of the sitting (coccyx), Therefore, it is very painful, and pus and blood that has a foul smell may come out of it when infection occurs.
The incidence of pilonidal cyst is greater in men, especially in young men, and the incidence of it increases in people who sit for long periods, such as office employees and bus and taxi drivers.
The reason for the appearance of the pilonidal cyst
The primary cause of a pilonidal cyst is unknown, but it may be due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty.
It may also occur as a result of skin friction with clothing, or sitting for long periods.
Friction and prolonged sitting reverse hair growth and make it grow inside the skin, in which case the body considers it a strange thing,
Antibodies are released towards it and a cyst forms around the hair, and some people may have several holes that join together in the skin.
Symptoms of pilonidal cyst
At first, it does not show any symptoms, it is just a small hole that does not result in pain, but as soon as this hole becomes infected, it quickly turns into a closed and swollen capillary cyst containing fluid and pus, or the so-called abscess.
Symptoms of pilonidal cyst
- Swelling and swelling of the cyst.
- Pain when sitting and standing.
- redness of the skin around the area.
- The discharge of pus or blood from the cyst has a foul odor.
- The presence of hair at the edge of the cyst.
- the rough hair.
- Sometimes nausea, fatigue or fever occurs.
Factors that increase the occurrence of hair cysts
- Males are more susceptible to this disease than females.
- overweight.
- Laziness and prolonged sitting.
- tight clothes.
- The body is hairy.
- Excessive sweating.
- Neglecting personal hygiene.
- Clean the area with paper towels only, without using water to wash.
- Occupations that require a person to sit for long periods of time.
pilonidal cyst treatment
If the hair fistula is detected early, without pain, pus and blood, then the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic that treats all types of bacteria.
After cleaning the cyst of dirt, the doctor places a sterile dressing inside the wound to help it heal from the inside out. After this treatment, the person needs several weeks to fully heal, without the need for other treatments.
But when infection and abscess occur, then the treatment is done by surgery, which are of several types.
pilonidal cyst surgery types
Capillary sac opening
At first, the patient is given a local anesthetic, then the doctor will open the cyst with a scalpel and clean the cyst from fluid, pus, and blood.
After cleaning the cyst of dirt, the doctor places a sterile dressing inside the wound to help it heal from the inside out. After this treatment, the person needs several weeks to fully heal, without the need for other treatments.
phenol injection
This method is relatively uncommon because it takes a long time and several sessions; At first, the patient is given a local anesthetic, then the cyst is injected with phenol, a chemical that cleanses and treats the skin.
surgery
Surgery is used if there is more than one cyst, as the doctor recommends surgery to get rid of all the cysts.
First, the patient is given a local anesthetic, then the doctor opens the bags, cleans them from the abscess, and sterilizes them. After the operation, the wounds are sutured to close them.
In addition, the patient is told how to change the bandage, and shave the hair of the area constantly to prevent the appearance of hair bags again, while maintaining the washing of the place regularly and drying it well.
The operation lasts for 45 minutes and is most likely successful.
Removal with complete closure
The pilonidal cyst and sinus are removed, and then the opening is closed with medical sutures, which ensures that the pilonidal cysts do not return again.
Ways to help relieve pain and treat at home
If the pain is unbearable and does not appear after the abscess, do the following:
- Soaking or sitting in hot water for half an hour, this will relieve the pain, and it can also help the pilonidal cyst to open and the dirt to come out on its own.
- Apply hot compresses to the sore area several times a day.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers help relieve pain.
- Sitting on a pillow may relieve the pain relatively.
- Make sure to clean the area frequently and clean it well.
- Shave regularly with shaving or hair removal cream every two weeks.
- Some natural oils, such as castor oil and sage oil, may help treat a pilonidal cyst, prevent infection, and speed up healing, after placing them on top of the cyst.
- Avoid tampering with the capillary sac or opening it in order to prevent the release of the yellow substance inside it and thus the spread of infection to other places.
Onion pilonidal cyst treatment
It is well known that onions are used in the treatment of many problems, because they contain a lot of antioxidants that attack and eliminate bacteria, On the other hand, it has not been scientifically proven that onions have side effects on the skin, but it is possible that some people may suffer from allergic reactions to it.
Therefore, it is preferable to place a slice of onion on a spot of the skin to make sure that no redness or itching occurs before placing it on the pilonidal cyst.
How to use onions to treat pilonidal cyst
- Place a thick piece of onion on top of the pilonidal sac.
- Get a piece of cloth and wrap it tightly over the onion to secure it.
- Place a thick piece of onion on top of the pilonidal sac.
- Get a piece of cloth and wrap it tightly over the onion to secure it.
- Leave it for 3 hours and then replace it with another onion.
- Repeat this method several times until you get rid of the pilonidal cystitis.
Treatment of pilonidal cyst with garlic
One of the natural ways to treat pilonidal cystitis is to use garlic because it contains antibodies to bacteria and germs, which can relieve the symptoms of a hair cyst. The way to use it is by following these steps:
- Take 3 garlic cloves and mash them well until they become a paste.
- Place the garlic paste over the area to be treated, covering it with a cloth.
- Leave the garlic for five minutes before rinsing it off with water.
- Repeat this method every day until the pain is gone.
The dangers of pilonidal cyst
A pilonidal cyst is not considered life-threatening, but the resulting pain impedes a person's movement and makes a sitting position difficult, But neglecting the pilonidal cyst and not treating it may lead to the emergence of more serious health problems in the long run, which are:
- The recurrence of the appearance of pilonidal cysts and their spread in many parts of the body, and thus this problem becomes chronic and recurring.
- When infection or inflammation spreads to various areas of the body, it becomes life-threatening. It may increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.