A pilonidal cyst is almost always located near the tailbone at the top of the cleft of the buttocks. Pilonidal cysts usually occur when hair punctures the skin and then becomes embedded. If a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, the resulting abscess is often extremely painful.

What does a pilonidal cyst look like?

A pilonidal cyst looks like a lump, swelling, or abscess at the cleft of the buttock with tenderness, and possibly a draining or bleeding area (sinus). The location of the cyst at the top of the buttocks makes it characteristic for a pilonidal cyst.

Can a pilonidal cyst be anywhere?

A pilonidal cyst (also called pilonidal cyst disease, intergluteal pilonidal disease or pilonidal sinus) is a skin condition that happens in the crease of the buttocks — anywhere from the tailbone to the anus.

Is a pilonidal cyst serious?

While the cyst is not serious, it can become an infection and should therefore be treated. When a pilonidal cyst gets infected, it forms an abscess, eventually draining pus through a sinus. The abscess causes pain, a foul smell, and drainage. This condition is not serious.

Do pilonidal cysts hurt to touch?

When the cyst becomes infected, it's called a pilonidal abscess, and it can become extremely painful. The skin will be red and tender to the touch, and foul-smelling pus may occasionally drain from the cyst.

Project ECHO (SICK): Pain in the Butt: Pilonidal Disease

15 related questions found

What is the lump in my bum crack?

Boils are bumps or lumps that typically occur in places where sweat pools. They're a form of skin infection usually caused by bacteria that infect your hair follicles. Also called furuncles, boils can develop on your buttocks and in your butt crack.

How do you know if your tailbone is misaligned?

The most obvious symptom is coccydynia, or pain at the tailbone. However often patients have no pain at the tailbone until it is directly touched, and occasionally have no pain around it at all. This symptom may manifest as an inability to be comfortable in sitting.

What happens if a pilonidal cyst goes untreated?

If left untreated, the cyst can drain pus or other fluids, or develop a pilonidal sinus, which is an opening that grows under the skin from the hair follicle. Some of the most common symptoms of a pilonidal cyst infection include skin reddening, pain, and draining of blood or pus.

How big can a pilonidal cyst get?

The size of the pilonidal cyst may range from a small tender dimple to a large painful area.

What does a tailbone tumor feel like?

These symptoms may include pain, weakness, numbness, clumsiness, or tingling in the arms or legs. Tumors in the tailbone area can cause a noticeable mass; numbness in the groin area; bowel and bladder problems; or numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs.

How do you know if you're getting a pilonidal cyst?

Signs and symptoms of an infected pilonidal cyst include:

1. Pain.
2. Reddening of the skin.
3. Drainage of pus or blood from an opening in the skin.
4. Foul smell from draining pus.

Can an ingrown hair turn into a cyst?

Share on Pinterest Ingrown hairs are not dangerous, but they can be painful. When a hair grows into the skin, a fluid-filled lump can develop, which may become a cyst. When a cyst forms, the area becomes swollen.

Can I pop my own pilonidal cyst?

A pilonidal cyst can look similar to a pimple, tempting some to pop them with their fingers. But popping a pilonidal cyst won't fix the problem. Remember pilonidal cysts are filled with hair and other debris in addition to pus, and you won't be able to get it all out by squeezing.

Why is there a hole above my bum?

A pilonidal sinus is a small hole or tunnel in the skin at the top of the buttocks, where they divide (the cleft). It does not always cause symptoms and only needs to be treated if it becomes infected.

Should I go to the ER for a pilonidal cyst?

Some people may just experience a bit of a pain when sitting, others may only have some drainage and no pain, still others will be making a trip to the ER or surgeon because they are in excruciating pain. The usual signs of an acute infection are swelling and pain in the tailbone region.

Can a pilonidal cyst cause leg pain?

The enlarged cysts can compress the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. This condition is characterized by pain in the lower back and buttocks, and sometimes down the back of the legs.

How do you dissolve a cyst naturally?

1. Hot compress. Simple heat is the most recommended and effective home measure for draining or shrinking cysts. ...
2. Tea tree oil. Essential oil from the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) may help some cysts, albeit in an indirect way. ...
3. Apple cider vinegar. ...
4. Aloe vera. ...
5. Castor oil. ...
6. Witch hazel. ...
7. Honey. ...
8. Turmeric.

Will Urgent Care drain a pilonidal cyst?

How is it treated? If the cyst is infected, usually it needs to be drained by your Reddy Urgent Care healthcare provider. This treats the infection and gets rid of the pressure that causes pain. It can be done in your provider's office.

Can you ignore a pilonidal cyst?

Despite the discomfort caused by these cysts, many people feel too embarrassed to mention the condition to their doctor. Ignoring your pilonidal cyst won't make them go away. In fact, failing to get treatment may worsen the situation.

How do they remove a pilonidal cyst?

It is a simple procedure done in the doctor's office.

1. Local anesthesia is used to numb the skin.
2. A cut is made in the cyst to drain fluid and pus. The hole is packed with gauze and left open.
3. Afterward, it can take up to 4 weeks for the cyst to heal. The gauze has to be changed often during this time.

Can females get pilonidal cysts?

While men are more likely to acquire Pilonidal Disease, women make up a large percentage of the population of surgery patients. Yes, a woman can have pilonidal disease, (and by the way, it's not a “cyst”).

Can a chiropractor adjust your tailbone?

An internal coccyx adjustment can be done by your chiropractor to realign structures, decrease inflammation, and stretch ligaments. Internal coccyx adjustments are done gently and as comfortably as possible for the patient. Though the internal coccyx adjustment can be uncomfortable, it is not painful.

How do you pop your tailbone back in place?

Gently increasing the stretch over time will allow the range of movement to expand.

1. Lie down on the back and extend the feet straight out.
2. Bend one knee toward the chest.
3. Hold onto the bent knee and pull it gently down into the chest.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

Can you have a tumor in your buttocks?

Liposarcoma. This tumor is composed of fatty tissue that usually appears as an enlarging, painless mass deep in the muscles of the limbs. It can also occur in the abdomen or buttock, where it can stay undetected for a long period of time and possibly evolve to a more aggressive type.