From a small, innocuous-looking pimple to a painful and stubborn pilonidal cyst, the condition is progressive. Unfortunately, it is also repetitive as it keeps coming back with harder symptoms. The condition is widely seen in middle aged people with a majority being repeat sufferers. In fact, the high rate of recurrence of a pilonidal cyst, makes it a tough-to-treat condition with complete relief being extremely challenging. The medical fraternity therefore is of the opinion that the condition should be managed in a way that not just treats an episode but also reduces the chances of recurrence.
Pilonidal Cyst – The Background Story
A pilonidal cyst is not that hard to decode. It starts from a small pimple. This pimple is not on the face, but in between the crease of the buttocks. The end of the tailbone is the exact spot where it first surfaces. An ingrown hair is seen as the root cause. For the fortunate few the pimple goes unnoticed and self heals in some time. But when the pimple turns infective, it turns into a pilonidal cyst. This is where the real challenge begins. The odd location, pus, pain and inability to move around freely make it difficult to deal with. Worse still, the repetitive episodes. These factors make it one of the hardest to deal with medical conditions.
Pilonidal Cyst Recurrence Rate
The United States alone reports almost 70,000 cases of pilonidal cyst every year. Of these, almost 1 in 5 people experience a repeat episode. Such a high rate of recurrence makes you wonder where things go wrong. Medical research shows that certain factors are the actual fueling point. The key ones are the depth of the natal cleft and intensity of local friction. An individual’s susceptibility level also plays a major role. People with excessive hair growth, hard and thick hair, weight issues, excessive sweating concerns, and sedentary lifestyle patterns are more likely to suffer from painful cysts.
The treatment plan for pilonidal cyst follows a prescribed channel. The first line of treatment is non-invasive and typically targets altering lifestyle habits. For the most aggressive cases, a pilonidal cyst removal surgery is the viable option.
Practices To Reduce Recurrence
The surgical approach does show promising results. But it alone might also not provide complete elimination. A series of lifestyle changes are to be introduced for long-term management of the condition. Let’s understand their importance and relevance one by one:
Keep Clean
Poor hygiene is the core problem of every medical condition. If the area is not kept clean, it is bound to attract infection and bacteria. A vulnerable individual must practice this with more diligence. Cleaning with mild soap and keeping the area dry are the basics that should not be missed.
Go Hair Free
As ingrown hair is the key contributing factor, keeping the area hair-free provides great relief. This is especially important if the hair is hard, coarse and thick. One may consider shaving the area regularly. Use of depilatory creams to gently remove hair growth or laser hair removal for permanent and effective results are other ways to keep the area hair free.
Watch Early Symptoms
It is always easier to manage medical conditions when they are in their starting state. So be careful and aware of your condition. Any kind of pain, tenderness, movement related issues, pus discharge, etc must be addressed instantly.
Weight Watch
Cut down a few pounds from the body weight. A leaner body has less fat and skin flabs. This allows the cleft between the buttocks to remain airy and moisture free. A healthier body is also better equipped to handle sweating issues. Once the area around the buttocks is better managed, the recurrence rate of pilonidal cyst drops down significantly.
Stay Mobile and Agile
Mobility and agility are two important ways to cut down recurrence rate. Avoid prolonged sitting as it exerts extra pressure on the affected area. Likewise, an agile body stays active throughout the day. Agility ensures that the body weight stays in control and the body is in a better position to manage its shortcomings.
Allow Proper Healing
Proper wound care is important to ensure that the area heals quickly and completely. The post-surgery instructions are very important and must be followed carefully and diligently.
Final Thoughts
The chances that a pilonidal cyst will resurface are the highest if the previous episode is not treated or managed well. Therefore disease management remains an important point. Whether the condition requires a non-invasive approach or the cyst removal surgery is the way forward, the treatment plan must be designed keeping in view individual needs and disease history. A pilonidal cyst expert in Beverly Hills, Dr. Allen Kamrava MD MBA is apt at it. His knowledge and experience makes understanding the case easier. After accurately identifying the underlying cause of cyst relapse, he along with his team of expert doctors offers effective treatment solutions for permanent relief. A careful and well-informed decision is very important for improving treatment outcomes. It can actually help you gain complete relief from the debilitating condition. Book your appointment today to discuss your issue.
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general information and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you suffer from painful pilonidal cysts episode after episode, it is best to consult a qualified colorectal surgeon and pilonidal expert for an appropriate evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
