What is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of a Pilonidal Cyst?

Running an online search for "What is the fastest way to get rid of a pilonidal cyst?" is usually a sure sign that you're in desperate need of immediate relief. The thought of suffering through a pilonidal infection any longer than necessary may seem unbearable.

Ridding yourself of pilonidal disease may be a multistep process. First, alleviate your symptoms with at-home treatments. Then, talk to your doctor about minimally invasive procedures with the potential to provide immediate relief or long-lasting healing.

Quick Home Care for Pilonidal Cyst Symptoms

When you're in serious pain, you need help right away. Waiting for a doctor's appointment or a surgical procedure won't cut it. You need to start relieving the pressure of an infected pilonidal cyst right away.

Also known as a pilonidal sinus, a pilonidal cyst becomes painful when an infection takes hold. The tissue becomes inflamed, and an ever-increasing amount of pus causes acute pressure. It may get to the point that, whether you're sitting, standing or lying down, you can't find relief.

Infected sinuses may also leak blood and pus. This unpleasant problem can make you all the more anxious for a quick solution to your pilonidal abscess.

It's smart to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Medical attention is the best way to take care of a pilonidal sinus.

In the meantime, bringing down your pain level can help you get some rest. Start by taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to follow the dosing recommendations.

A warm bath can be one of the best ways to find relief. You can soak your whole body or rest just your buttocks in a sitz bath. The warmth will feel soothing. It may even help the cyst begin to drain, which will reduce the amount of pressure that you feel.

If you don't have the option of soaking in the tub, try applying warm compresses several times a day. Like bathing, this may encourage the infection to drain.

When you get out of the tub, dry your skin thoroughly but carefully. Patting yourself dry is the best way to do it. Getting dressed while your skin is still damp may increase the irritation.

Reduce friction on your buttocks as much as possible. Wear loose-fitting clothing and sit on a cushion instead of a hard chair.

Applying tea tree or sage oil may soothe the inflammation, but it's a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before applying oils or any other topical treatments.

What Not to Do

Even though you're looking for quick relief, do your best to leave your pilonidal sinus alone as much as possible.

You might be tempted to try popping it, but that's not the best course of action. Doing so increases the risk of a follow-up infection. It can also create a large mess and may smell terrible.

If your cyst happens to pop on its own, clean it up the best you can, and make an appointment to see your physician as soon as possible.

Quick In-office Treatment for Acute Pilonidal Disease

While at-home care may help you feel better for a little while, finding real relief often requires a doctor's intervention.

You'll feel better once your pilonidal sinus isn't packed full of pus and debris. While trying to extract this material on your own can be risky, your doctor has the ability to drain it in a safe and sanitary manner.

During an in-office drainage procedure, your healthcare provider will make a small incision in your skin and ease the pus and other fluid from the opening. The next step will involve carefully cleaning any remaining debris from the cavity. Finally, the opening will be packed with gauze.

After a drainage procedure, you should feel immediate relief. It can take a few weeks to fully recover from the incision, but you'll probably be glad that you're no longer dealing with the acute plan of an infected abscess.

Long-term Solutions to Pilonidal Care

Unfortunately, home treatments and drainage don't always clear up an infection forever. Recurrent pilonidal disease requires more intense intervention — usually a surgical procedure. Unfortunately, surgery isn't always quick. Recovery from traditional excisions can keep you laid up for weeks afterward.

If you're looking for the fastest way to get rid of a pilonidal sinus for good, you need a surgical procedure that's minimally invasive yet effective. Laser ablation could be a good option for you. Using the neoV Laser, your surgeon can close up your sinus tract so it will no longer collect debris and bacteria.

You can see how this procedure works in the video below: