What Causes a Pilonidal Cyst?

Many doctors believe that these cysts are caused by an ingrown hair, but they can also appear due to trauma to that region of your body. 

Symptoms:

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms combined below, it's time to give your colorectal specialists a call. Call our office directly to discuss your treatment options.

• Pain and redness at the base of the spine
• Pus or blood draining from the cysts
• Tenderness to the touch
• Persisting fever
• Foul smelling pus

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing pilonidal cysts can be challenging because a lot of patients get them confused with other issues like hemorrhoids.

• Doctors will diagnose your cyst during a physical exam
• We will ask how long you've been experiencing symptoms and if you've had a fever
• We'll also ask about your medications and supplements you take for connections

Treatment Options:

• Incision and drainage: Best method, removal of hair follicles leaving the wound open
• Marsupialization: Doctor cuts and drains the cyst and sews the edges of the cut to the wound edges to make a pouch
• Incision, drainage and closing wound: This is similar to the first method but the wound is closed. This means you'll more likely to have issues with the cyst down the road, however.