Sharing Stories and Research for Pilonidal Sinus
“Pilonidal Sinus“ is an Italian term, which means a nest of hair, highlighting the main cause of the disease – ingrown hair. It’s a less known ailment but is common among young generation, especially males between an age group of 20 to 30. A pilonidal cyst is a cystic structure developed along the coccyx region (tailbone) in the cleft of the buttocks, located almost 4-5 cm from the anus. This cyst is filled with hair, bacteria and skin debris.
Common Symptoms
More than one cyst may also develop, which later connect to each other by tunnels formed under the skin. It eventually forms an abscess. A patient suffers from a lot of pain and soreness in the particular body part. Even after pus discharge from the cyst, it continues to fill up with detritus leading to re-infection. One must see a Colorectal Surgeon well before the sinus becomes severe. If the cyst is infected, then pus is drained out and the patient experiences fever, pain & swelling in lower spinal region and warmth & redness in the affected skin.