Do Pilonidal Cyst, Abscess, And Sinus Bother You?

What Is a Pilonidal Cyst?

The word pilonidal is derived from the Latin words Pilus which means hair/hair-like structure and Nidus meaning a nest. It is a cyst formed at the end of the tailbone and the upper end of the buttocks’ cleft. It contains hair, dead cells, and fluid or pus.

What Causes Pilonidal Cyst?

It is believed that the Pilonidal cyst develops when the hair, instead of growing on the skin, grows back into the skin. This causes a foreign body-like reaction in that area, thereby localizing the infection by the cyst formation.

Having a lot of coarse hair on the tailbone, adolescence, being overweight, bad hygiene, friction due to wearing tight clothes, and sitting for prolonged intervals are the factors that contribute to the formation of a Pilonidal cyst. This cyst was also called Jeeps disease because it affected thousands of soldiers during the second world war due to prolonged sitting in their jeeps while traveling. It is also observed in drivers, particularly truck drivers or long-distance bus drivers. Repeated trauma to the back as observed in horse riders and cyclists could also lead to the formation of a Pilonidal cyst.

This type of cyst is also observed between the fingers of the barbers and dog groomers.

The incidences of the pilonidal cyst are more in the males as compared to the females.

Initially, this cyst could be silent (without any symptoms), but, later on, if it gets infected due to the bacteria on the skin, it would lead to a painful abscess. If the abscess is not treated, it could lead to the formation of the sinus. Sinus is a hollow tract with one end in the abscess and the second one on the surface of the skin.

What Are the Symptoms of Pilonidal Cyst and Sinus?

Here are some common symptoms of pilonidal cyst and sinus that you should be aware of.

Initially, the pilonidal cysts will be silent. The size of the cyst could vary from being tiny to a large cyst.
The patient may have itching at the site of the cyst.
If an abscess forms, the patient will experience throbbing pain. It may be present all the time or when sitting and rising from the sitting position and while walking.
Redness
Swelling due to inflammation.
If the abscess starts draining or the sinus is formed, there could be blood and pus mixed with foul-smelling discharge.
The patient may experience an excess of moisture between his buttocks.
The patient may also get a fever if the infection is severe.

What Is the Treatment for Pilonidal Cyst and Sinus?

Conventional treatment would comprise the use of antibiotics, incision, and drainage of the abscess and excision of the cyst. A pilonidal cyst is likely to reappear. Hence, certain precautions need to be taken after the procedure is over. Keep reading to learn all about the precautions.

Self-Care That One Should Take If The Person Has A Tendency To Develop Pilonidal Sinus

After the cyst has been extracted and the wound is healed, you can take the below precautions to avoid its recurrence.

Taking care of hygiene is very important. This will help to prevent the formation of cysts and infections.
Keep your body parts clean and dry.
Since the problem is with coarse and excess hair, one may opt for laser hair reduction or use a hair removal cream often to remove the hair from the tail bone area.
Avoid wearing tight clothes. Wear comfortably fitting cotton clothes.
Avoid sitting for a prolonged time. Take frequent breaks if you have a sedentary working lifestyle and have a short stroll.
Lose weight in case you are overweight.

Can Homeopathy Help Treat Pilonidal Sinus?

Homeopathy has medicines that could help patients with pilonidal sinus significantly.

Homeopathic medicines could help to relieve the pain.
They can hasten the process of pus formation so that the abscess could be opened to drain the pus and the cyst materials, such as hair and debris.
The medicines could help prevent the infection in the abscess.
After the cyst excision surgery is performed, it is observed that, in some patients, the healing is a very slow process and they continue to get the discharge of blood mixed with pus for months together. Given at this stage, homeopathy could help to hasten the pace of wound healing.
A well-selected constitutional Homeopathic medicine could also help to correct the tendency for the formation of pilonidal sinus, provided the other precautions which are mentioned above are followed.

Here are some commonly indicated homeopathic medicines to manage the symptoms of Pilonidal abscess and sinus.

Belladonna: It is indicated at the first stage of abscess formation when there is inflammation but no pus. When the patient suffers from the skin turning red, tensed, and shiny with severe throbbing pain that comes suddenly and goes suddenly, this remedy may help obtain relief.

Hepar: This homeopathic medicine helps to hasten the process of pus formation. When the skin is sensitive to touch with splinter-like pains and the discharges are offensive and smells like old cheese, this remedy is indicated. It is best-suited to the patient who is chilly thermally and wants to be covered always. When the discomfort turns worse at night and in cold and the patient develops unhealthy skin with every little injury leads to pus formation and pus could be streaked with blood, this medicine is indicated.

Calcarea sulph: It is very good medicine for pus formation. It helps open up the wound and in the drainage of pus. It is effective in treating a patient who experiences symptoms, such as yellow pus and yellowish scabs, and wounds that take long to heal.

Silicea: This homeopathic medicine is known as a surgeon’s knife. It helps in the expulsion of foreign bodies from the skin and tissues. Abscess and injuries take a long time to heal indicate this remedy. Also, it is indicated for fistula. When the patient suffers from pus, which is thin, greenish, and blood-tinged, this remedy is recommended. It is indicated for the patient who is chilly and feels better in the dry warm weather.

Gunpowder: This homeopathic remedy is considered as an antiseptic to prevent infection in the wound and promote wound healing in cases where the process is slow.

Myristica: It is a homeopathic antiseptic for wounds.

Calendula ointment: Calendula ointment or mother tincture could be used for dressing the wound. Calendula is known to promote the formation of healthy tissue during the process of healing.

If you are suffering from pilonidal cyst and sinus, do get in touch with us at Life Force Homeopathy. Dr. Rajesh Shah’s research-based homeopathy has helped many patients obtain relief. To know more about how you can be helped, leave us your contact details below or give us a call at +91-22-66888888 or mail us at info@lifeforce.in