Pilonidal Sinus : Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

If you are diagnosed with Pilonidal Sinus then you must be looking for its treatment. This article will help you in knowing everything you must know about Pilonidal Sinus.

A pilonidal sinus or cyst is an abnormal abscess or sac inside the skin that usually contains hair and skin debris. A pilonidal cyst is mostly located near the tailbone region.

How a Pilonidal Sinus is developed?

Pilonidal cyst or sinus usually occur when hair punctures the skin and then becomes embedded inside. When it gets infected pus formation starts and it swells up as a boil.  At this stage it may cause tremendous pain.

Pilonidal sinus may cause pus discharge, pain and it needs medical attention to get cured.

Pilonidal cysts most commonly occur in young men, and the problem has a tendency to recur. People who sit for prolonged periods of time, such as truck drivers, are at higher risk of developing a pilonidal cyst.

What if pilonidal sinus is left untreated?

If it is not treated pilonidal cysts can lead to multiple abscesses (swollen pockets of infection), sinus cavities (empty spaces underneath the skin) and multiple pits in the skin. 

Causes of Pilonidal Sinus

The exact cause of pilonidal cysts isn't clear. But most pilonidal cysts appear to be caused by loose hairs that penetrate the skin. Friction and pressure — skin rubbing against skin, tight clothing, bicycling, long periods of sitting or similar factors — force the hair down into skin. Responding to the hair as a foreign substance, the body creates a cyst around the hair.

This explanation accounts for rare cases of pilonidal cysts that occur in parts of the body other than near the tailbone. For example, barbers, dog groomers and sheep shearers have developed pilonidal cysts in the skin between fingers.

People who sit a lot, such as car and truck drivers, have a higher chance of getting pilonidal sinus.

Risk factors

Certain factors can make you more susceptible to developing pilonidal cysts, such as:

• Male sex
• Younger age (pilonidal cysts are most common in people in their 20s)
• Obesity
• Inactive lifestyle
• Occupation requiring prolonged sitting
• Excess body hair
• Stiff or coarse hair

When to visit a doctor?

• If pus drainage is there.
• If there are multiple dimples or pits in the skin.
• If the problem has recurred more than once.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will take a detailed history. Expect following questions -

• Do you have fever?
• Is the pain severe?
• What is your occupation? Do you have to stay sitted all day long?
• Are you diabetic?

After a detailed history your doctor will perform a physical check up to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus

Initially medicines are being used to subside the infection, swelling and pain. But it usually comes back again within a few days or weeks. Surgery can be done. There are many kinds of surgeries available for pilonidal sinus. Problem with the surgery is that the chances of recurrences are very high. The best treatment for pilonidal sinus is offered by ayurveda as Kshar Sutra Therapy.

Kshar Sutra Treatment for Pilonidal Sinus

After giving local anesthesia the doctor will clean hair, blood, and pus from inside the pilonidal abscess. After that the track is being find out and cleaned. A kshar sutra (herbal medicated thread) is put in the tract and tied. The wound is then packed with sterile dressing. This Kshar Sutra needs to be changed every week till the whole tract is cut and healed.

Benefits of Kshar Sutra Treatment for Pilonidal Sinus

- High Success rates

- Low recurrence rates

- No complications

Prevention of Pilonidal Sinus

• Keep the area clean and dry
• Keep a healthy weight
• Avoid prolonged sitting and driving
• Regularly shave the area using hair removal creams or razors.