Pilonidal Cyst Archives

Pilonidal cyst

Hello-
Yesterday my husband was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst. While I am grateful that it is nothing terminal, I am somewhat disheartened about all I've read so far on the topic. He has had bloody discharge on his underpants for the past couple of months, but thought all along it was due to chafed skin. Boy were we wrong! Anyway, he has one large opening and 4 smaller ones where the cyst is draining. None are infected. We were told he should soak in warm water to keep the area clean. However, based on what I've read about hot compresses, I'm wondering if this is the better alternative (or is that only if the area is infected?) Will these drain holes ever go away or do they come and go? Should any sort of ointment be applied? Our surgeon is not an advocate of surgery, and I understand why based on the percentages of recurrance, but is there anything else we can try. We are open to anything. I read in one of the archives about an herbal remedy but can't relocate it. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
TShaw

Follow Ups:

• Re: Pilonidal cyst (Archive in Hot Compresses.) Walt Stoll 08:41:16 2/04/01 (0)
• Re: Pilonidal cyst brian GH 23:38:50 2/02/01 (1)
  • Re: Pilonidal cyst TShaw 10:02:14 2/05/01 (0)

In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst posted by TShaw on February 02, 2001 at 18:03:13:

Don't do the surgery. See the archives. Keep taking Epsom salt baths and keep the area clean and shaved. Use Betadine skin cleanser-won't leave soapy residue. I've had three surgeries. The best thing to do is to work hard at keeping clean and have the surgeon remove any hair or infection from inside the pilonidal sinuses, if possible. Good luck. Drop a follow-up to me if he improves.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Pilonidal cyst TShaw 10:02:14 2/05/01 (0)

In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst posted by TShaw on February 02, 2001 at 18:03:13:

Hi, T.

The hot compresses are only effective for flareups (infections). Epsom salts sitz baths are not nearly as effective (although somewhat effective) because of several reasons: First, getting your whole bottom and legs soaked, while trying to keep the water hot is a MUCH bigger problem than hot compresses and need to be done much more frequently than nearly anyone is willing to DO them.

Anyone who has used both will ALWAYS choose the hot compresses. Second, the hot compresses are much more efective since it is the ratio of the area being heated, and the rest of the body, that causes the greatest effect. Third, it is possible to use a lot warmer water with hot compresses than exposing a large % of the body to it.

Walt

In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst posted by brian GH on February 02, 2001 at 23:38:50:

Thanks for the info. Brian. Does anyone know if there are any limitations as far as activities with the pilonidal cysts. Can you still swim in pools, lakes, etc. or will that cause infections?