Pilonidal Cyst Home Treatment: What You Need to Know

A pilonidal cyst, also known as a pilonidal sinus, can lead to a painful infection. You may have a swollen lump near your tailbone that causes extreme pain. No matter whether you sit or stand, you may not be able to find relief. To make matters worse, the spot may leak blood or pus.

Do you just have to suffer through a pilonidal cyst, or are there steps you can take at home to relieve your discomfort? Although self-care may not provide long-term healing, it can help you feel better. Give the following pilonidal cyst home treatment tips a try.

Caring for a Pilonidal Cyst at Home

If a pilonidal cyst is causing irritation near your tailbone, it's time to try home remedies. Pain may be one of your most pronounced symptoms, but taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help.

Sitz baths are another way to relieve your discomfort. This involves resting the lower half of your body in a tub of warm water. You can repeat this activity several times a day.

When you're not soaking in the tub, consider sitting on a pillow. You might find this more comfortable than resting on a hard chair.

Applying hot compresses to the site can help draw out the infection to drain the cyst. As the infection drains, the pressure inside the cyst may lessen. You can apply a warm, damp cloth to the sore spot a few times a day.

Topical pilonidal cyst treatments may help reduce the inflammation or clear up the infection. Research suggests that it might be useful to apply:

Tea tree oil
Sage oil
Castor oil

Be sure to check with your doctor before applying these oils or any other substances directly to your wound.

You can also try taking oral supplements to encourage your body's natural ability to repair its tissues. Zinc, vitamin A or vitamin C might help. You should consult your doctor before beginning a course of supplements.

Although it may be difficult, try to keep moving. Getting regular exercise may promote healing.

What Not to Do

You might be tempted to try bursting your pilonidal cyst on your own. That's not the best thing to do. Because the cyst may be filled with blood, pus and debris, rupturing your cyst can be quite messy. The infection may smell bad as well.

In addition, using your hands to open up the affected area could transfer other bacteria to the wound, so you might end up with a new infection. Plus, popping the cyst could leave a scar.

Sometimes, pilonidal cysts unintentionally rupture at home. That's all right, but it's a good idea to ask your medical provider what you should do next.

Keeping in Touch with Your Doctor

In fact, no matter where you are in the pilonidal process, it's smart to reach out to your doctor for help and advice.

Only a medical professional can give you an official diagnosis of pilonidal disease. Sometimes, you may think you have an infected pilonidal sinus, but it's actually another problem. You might have hidradenitis suppurativa, an anal fistula or a bone infection. These conditions require different treatments, so it's important to have them properly diagnosed.

Once your doctor has determined that you do have pilonidal disease, he or she can give you suggestions on how to address it. Your provider may recommend focusing on home treatments for the time being. You may need to visit the office regularly to have the spot checked for any signs of trouble.

If you have a pilonidal abscess that is in danger of rupturing, your doctor may drain it in the office. Having this professionally done is safer and less messy than letting it burst on its own. Eventually, your physician may advise that you have a procedure to close up the sinus.

When More Is Needed

Pilonidal cysts can be a recurring problem. If you've had yours drained again and again but the infection keeps coming back, your doctor will probably recommend further treatment.

The traditional procedure involves surgical removal of the cyst and the surrounding tissue. This can be an effective means of taking care of the problem, but it involves an extensive recovery time. For some people, it can take a few months to feel normal again.

An alternative method of removing a pilonidal cyst is to close up the sinus tract with a laser. This is a minimally invasive approach to effectively eliminating the problem. In comparison to traditional surgery, laser treatment offers a significant reduction in recovery time and associated pain.

You can see how a neoV Laser is used to treat a pilonidal sinus in the following video:

Continued Pilonidal Cyst Care

After resolving your pilonidal cyst troubles, it's a good idea to keep up with your at-home care. Treating the area right may help keep recurrences at bay.

Practice good hygiene. Clean your backside regularly, and keep the skin dry.
Remove excess hair. Shaving and applying depilatory creams are low-cost approaches. Laser hair removal can be a more long-term solution.
Stay active. Try not to sit for excessive stretches of time. Do what you can to drop extra pounds.

Although there's no guarantee that you'll never get another pilonidal abscess, following these tips will give you your best chance of staying infection-free.

An infected pilonidal sinus can make you miserable, but pilonidal cyst home treatment can help you start to feel better. Taking steps to reduce your pain and discomfort can help you make it through the day until your abscess heals.

Be sure to stay in touch with your doctor about your pilonidal troubles. You may need professional drainage or a surgical procedure. If so, be sure to ask whether you're a good candidate for minimally invasive laser treatment. Afterward, for long-term wellness, be sure to keep up with your at-home pilonidal care.