Like many health issues, pilonidal cysts start small enough, but they can quickly grow into a painful and recurring problem if you don’t act quickly.
There are about 70,000 cases of pilonidal cysts that are diagnosed each year in the United States, and the team of colorectal surgeons here at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery treats our fair share. And these treatments often depend upon how early we can intervene, as pilonidal cysts can grow larger and become more complicated the longer they go untreated.
With that in mind, we would like to present some information about this common problem and make the case for seeking treatment for your pilonidal cyst with us sooner rather than later.
Let’s start with some general information about pilonidal cysts, which are a type of skin infection that develops around your buttocks, usually in the crease or cleft from the top of the crease down to your anus.
Many pilonidal cysts form because of an ingrown hair, which creates a pocket that fills up with fluid or air. And these cysts can be very uncomfortable, especially when you’re sitting or lying down.
As for who develops this issue, men are more than twice as likely to develop pilonidal cysts as women. These cysts also favor:
Getting back to our point about early intervention, if they aren’t treated promptly, pilonidal cysts can lead to even more painful issues like abscesses and large sinus cavities. They also tend to recur if they turn the corner into problematic pilonidal cysts. Therefore, across the board, early intervention for pilonidal cysts is a highly recommended approach.
When patients come to us during the early stages of a pilonidal cyst, we can often resolve the issue with a quick, in-office procedure. During this treatment, we make a small incision to encourage your cyst to drain out. Rest assured, we administer a local anesthetic for your comfort before we make the small incision.
In most cases, the skin and cyst should heal over the following few weeks.
One of the biggest risks when it comes to pilonidal cysts is recurrence. To avoid this outcome, we’ve had good success with laser hair removal for cysts that develop in the cleft of your buttocks.
With this technology, we deliver laser energy into the hair follicles to destroy them. As a result, the treated follicles don’t produce any more hair, thereby eliminating the risks for ingrown hairs.
If your pilonidal cyst has become enlarged and infected, or if it continues to recur, we may have to get more aggressive with surgical removal.
With this more advanced treatment, we surgically remove the entire cyst, and then we pack the area with gauze to promote healing from the inside out. As you might imagine, this is a more complicated procedure with a longer healing time, which is why we always prefer to tackle these cysts when they first appear.
Whatever stage your pilonidal cyst is in, our team will work diligently and quickly to get you to a place where there’s far less pain and less chance of infection.
For expert and experienced care of your pilonidal cyst, please contact our offices in Virginia at 703-280-2841 to schedule a consultation.