If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is a pilonidal cyst?

A pilonidal cyst is a small sac that sticks up from inside the skin. It’s usually located near the tailbone at the top of the buttocks crease. These cysts can contain hair, skin fragments, and other tissue.

Pilonidal cysts are common in young men. They’re also common in people who sit for long periods of time, such as truck drivers. People with a lot of body hair, who are overweight, and don’t exercise much also are at risk for these cysts.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of a pilonidal cyst?

A pilonidal cyst may appear as a small lump or dimple on the skin. At first, you may have no symptoms. However, sometimes pilonidal cysts can become infected. When this happens, the cyst can become very painful.  If it’s infected, you also may notice:

• You have a fever
• The area is swollen and red
• Pus oozing from an opening in the skin
• A foul smell in the area

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes pilonidal cysts?

 Pilonidal cysts can happen for many reasons:

• Most pilonidal cysts seem to be caused by ingrown hairs. These are hairs that grow back into the skin instead of growing out. Your body doesn’t know what the ingrown hair is, so it forms a cyst around it.
• Some cysts form around a ruptured hair follicle. This is the structure from which a hair grows.
• Cysts can form if you have trauma to your tailbone.
• Some babies are born with a small dimple just above the crease of the buttocks, called a sacral dimple. Sacral dimples can become infected and form a pilonidal abscess.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How can my health care provider tell if I have a pilonidal cyst?

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about your symptoms. They also will examine your tailbone area

PREVENTION

 Can a pilonidal cyst be prevented or avoided? You can help prevent pilonidal cysts by maintaining a healthy weight. If possible, avoid sitting for long periods of time. Also, keep that area of your body especially clean.

TREATMENT

How is a pilonidal cyst treated?

If your cyst has no symptoms and isn’t bothering you, nothing will likely need to be done. However, if your cyst becomes infected, your doctor will likely want to release it. This will help it go away. They will numb the area where the cyst is located. They will drain any pus and remove hairs from the cyst.

Many pilonidal cysts recur (come back). If this happens, you may need surgery to have it removed.

Living with a pilonidal cyst

If you have a pilonidal cyst, follow these tips to help keep it from becoming infected:

• Shave around the cyst area to help prevent hairs from getting into the cyst.
• Clean the cyst area with a mild soap and rinse well to remove any soap residue.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time.