DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor may ask the following questions:
- When did you first experience the symptoms?
- Have you had a fever?
- Have you had this cyst earlier?
- What medications or supplements do you take?
Physical examination will help in diagnosing a pilonidal cyst. In case of severe infection, your doctor will ask for blood tests.
TREATMENT
The primary treatment for a pilonidal cyst can be carried out in your doctor’s office. The infected area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic agent, and then your doctor will make a small cut to drain the infected cyst.
Treatment options are listed below:
Incision and drainage. This method is recommended for a first-ever pilonidal cyst. Your doctor will drain the cyst by a small incision and remove the hair follicles, after which it is left open.
Marsupialization. In this method, after draining out the cyst, your doctor will sew the edges of the incision to form a pouch.
In some cases, the cyst will be removed with surgery. Doctors and nurses will guide you on how to take care of yourself after removing the cyst.
Since the wound will be on the cleft of the buttocks, it is important to take additional caution and care to enable healing.
You have to keep the affected area clean and shaved to avoid hair from entering the wound.
