3 Ways to Treat a Pilonidal Cyst

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3 Ways to Treat a Pilonidal Cyst
3 Ways to Treat a Pilonidal Cyst

Video: 3 Ways to Treat a Pilonidal Cyst

Video: 3 Ways to Treat a Pilonidal Cyst
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Pilonidal cysts are pockets formed in the skin that are located on top of the fissure between the buttocks. These cysts are most commonly diagnosed when they become inflamed or painful. If you have a pilonidal cyst, read on to learn how to treat it.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Clinically Treating a Pilonidal Cyst

Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 1
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 1

Step 1. See your doctor

If you have already tried homemade solutions and have not been able to get any relief, it is recommended that you see a doctor, especially if the pilonidal cyst is infected. See your doctor immediately if the cyst appears to be infected, which means it may be sore, hot, swollen, red, or the symptoms may be getting worse. It is not recommended that you try to drain a cyst yourself.

  • If you believe the cyst is infected, keep it clean until you can see a doctor.
  • Be very careful not to squeeze the cyst or otherwise damage it.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 2
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 2

Step 2. Drain

Treatment for pilonidal cysts involves surgical drainage. The area is given a topical anesthetic and a small incision is made into the cyst to drain its contents. The contents are usually a mixture of blood, pus, dead cells and other debris.

  • After drainage, the cyst can be left open during the healing process. This practice makes it take longer for him to fully heal, but it reduces the risk of a new cyst.
  • An alternative involves stitching the cyst and waiting for it to heal.
  • 20 to 50 percent of the time, there is a reoccurrence of the cyst after an incision and drainage. Surgical excision is a definitive treatment.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 3
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 3

Step 3. Keep the area clean

After you have the cyst surgically drained, you need to keep the area very clean. Dressings must be changed regularly. The wound must be cleaned daily, either in the shower or in a sitz bath.

During the healing process, keep the hairs around the wound shaved. To prevent future cysts, you might consider trimming or shaving hair from the area

Method 2 of 3: Treating a Pilonidal Cyst at Home

Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 4
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 4

Step 1. Start treating the cyst as soon as it starts to form

There are some home treatments for pilonidal cysts. You can use these treatments as soon as you experience any swelling or unusual skin texture that might indicate a pilonidal cyst has formed. If there are signs of infection, see your doctor.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying any home remedies.
  • Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain, heat around the area, and smelly white pus that may have a milky appearance.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 5
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 5

Step 2. Make a hot compress

Warm compresses can help treat a pilonidal cyst. Heat helps reduce pain and swelling. Moisture from the compress can help soften the cyst.

  • Soak a clean towel in warm water. Apply the hot compress to the cyst at least four times a day for 10 minutes.
  • If you like, you can dip a cotton ball into diluted chamomile tea (half a cup of water and half a cup of chamomile tea soaked for 10 minutes) or diluted apple cider vinegar (equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and boiled water and then cooled). You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the water before soaking in the towel.
  • It is also possible to make a hot compress with a chamomile tea bag. Apply the hot tea bag directly onto the cyst. Chamomile tea helps to heal the cyst.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 6
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 6

Step 3. Use essential oils

Several essential oils, such as tea tree oil or turmeric oil, have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help reduce swelling and the chance of infection. Many of these oils are used to treat cystic acne and other types of infected cysts, as well as to reduce inflammation.

  • Oils you can use to treat pilonidal cysts include tea tree oil, turmeric, garlic, and frankincense. Castor oil is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory agent and to soothe the cyst. It can be helpful in speeding up the healing process.
  • Essential oils can be applied directly to the cyst, although you can also mix them with castor oil (three parts essential oil for every seven parts castor oil). Use a cotton ball or cotton swab for application.
  • Apply the essential oil to the cyst four times a day. You can cover it with a bandage after applying the oil. If there is no visible improvement after a week or two, see your doctor.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 7
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 7

Step 4. Apply desiccant agents

You can rub witch hazel or apple cider vinegar over the cyst to help dry it. Witch hazel will help to dry the cyst because of the tannins and their astringent agents. Apple cider vinegar also has astringent properties. Both are also useful for fighting infections.

  • If your skin becomes sore or sensitive after applying apple cider vinegar, dilute it with water (use equal parts water and vinegar).
  • Apply with a cotton swab or cotton ball.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 8
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 8

Step 5. Use burdock root

Dried burdock root can help remove protein from the cyst. It can be used to dry the cyst as well as being a common remedy for skin conditions.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dried burdock root with a tablespoon of honey. Apply to the cyst. In addition to being an antibacterial agent, honey also helps to dry out the cyst

Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 9
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 9

Step 6. Try the bloodthirsty

This plant is traditionally used in indigenous medicine to treat skin diseases. You can mix half a teaspoon of bloodthirsty powder with two tablespoons of castor oil. Use a cotton swab and apply the mixture directly onto the cyst.

  • Use small amounts of bloodshed, and only on areas of the skin where there are no cuts or bruises.
  • This plant should not be ingested or used in the eyes, mouth or genitals area.

Method 3 of 3: Understanding Pilonidal Cysts

Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 10
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 10

Step 1. Learn about the pilonidal cyst

A pilonidal cyst is a bulge that appears at the top of the cleft in the buttocks. It can become infected and become an abscess, which means it will fill with pus and will need to be drained.

A pilonidal cyst usually occurs due to ingrown hairs or other debris trapped under the skin

Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 11
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 11

Step 2. Determine if you are at risk

Pilonidal cysts most commonly occur in men between 20 and 30 years. They can also occur in people who spend a lot of time sitting and have sedentary jobs, such as drivers or office workers.

  • Pilonidal cysts also often occur in people with very thick hair. This type of hair can more easily pierce a cyst.
  • Other risk factors include obesity and overweight, as well as local trauma or irritation in the cleft between the buttocks. A family history also increases the risk.
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 12
Treat a Pilonidal Cyst Step 12

Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of pilonidal cysts

When not infected, a pilonidal cyst has no significant symptoms. However, if a hair pierces the cyst, you spend too much time sitting or you wear very tight clothing, it can become infected. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. If the cyst becomes infected, you may feel:

  • Swelling
  • pains
  • Redness
  • Drainage with an unpleasant odor
  • Fever
  • Formation of a cavity that may contain tissue, hair and other debris

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