Pilonidal sinus is a common and painful skin condition that affects the area near the tailbone. In the pilonidal sinus, a small internal passage or tunnel develops in the cleft between the buttocks. This sinus contains infectious material comprising blood, pus, skin dead cells, and hair.
This condition appears as a cyst on the skin surface. The cyst may initially be small like a pimple but it gradually grows with time as the condition becomes severe and the sinus deepens beneath the skin surface.
Pilonidal sinus occurs due to various reasons that you should know about. Obesity, hormonal imbalance, and excessive coarse hair growth on the body are the major common reasons for pilonidal sinus.
It is understandable that the pilonidal sinus can make it difficult for a person to even sit or wear fitted clothes. Intense pain and frequent discharge from the infected cyst create too much discomfort and misery.
So, you must have understood the necessity of proper treatment for pilonidal sinus than to wait for it to heal on its own.
Pilonidal Sinus Treatments
Home remedies and Management tips for pilonidal sinus
- Use a cotton ball to apply 2-3 drops of tea tree oil on the area of the pilonidal cyst. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of tea tree oil can prevent the cyst from getting infected.
- Mix a little cinnamon with honey and use it on the pilonidal cyst. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of honey, combined with cinnamon, not just relieve the symptoms but also boost tissue regeneration in the region.
- Take sitz baths twice or thrice a week. All you need to do is mix some Epsom salt in a warm tub and sit in the tub for around 15 minutes. This will drain the cyst and relieve the pain and soreness of pilonidal sinus.
- Stay away from activities that may strain your buttocks region or lower body. Avoid vigorous physical exercises and do not lift weights that are too heavy.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothes. Avoid any kind of friction around the waist and do not go for clothes that are too tight.
Pilonidal Sinus Kshar Sutra treatment
Kshar Sutra is the Ayurvedic treatment procedure for pilonidal sinus. The Kshar Sutra treatment stretches over a period of 4-8 weeks. In this treatment, the Ayurvedic practitioner coats a 20 gauge linen thread with some medicinal herbs and places the thread in the pilonidal sinus. The thread stays in the region for 7 days and heals the cyst. After 7 days, the thread needs to be replaced with a new one and the sinus tract heals in around 6 weeks.
However, the point to be noted is that Kshar Sutra is effective only in the non-serious cases of pilonidal sinus. In severe cases, it may not be that successful.
Medications for pilonidal sinus
Homeopathic remedies for pilonidal sinus include:
- Myristica
- Silicea
- Merc Sol
- Hepar Sulph
- Calcarea Sulph
These homeopathic medicines alleviate the pain, soreness and itching of pilonidal sinus in the short run. These are also effective in reducing the risk of the sinus tract getting infected.
Antibiotics for infection control in the pilonidal sinus
In addition to these, mild cases of pilonidal sinus can also be controlled using allopathic medicines. In allopathy, usually antibiotics are used to prevent and clear out infections in the pilonidal cyst. The doctor prescribes certain broad-spectrum antibiotics that fight off the microbes and this helps prevent any serious problems. However, it does not heal the sinus tract and the root problem still prevails.
The aforementioned non-surgical treatment options are certainly effective but these do not provide a permanent solution to the problem of pilonidal sinus. These can provide temporary relief but as long as the sinus tract is there, pilonidal sinus can recur.
If you are looking to get rid of pilonidal sinus once and for all, you can do so by undergoing advanced laser pilonidal sinus surgery.
Modern laser surgery for pilonidal sinus
The laser treatment is the simplest and permanent solution for pilonidal sinus. The surgeon makes the use of high-intensity laser energy that acts directly on the pilonidal sinus affected region. The laser pulses are enough to drain out the cyst along with removing the entire pit of pilonidal sinus. The procedure is totally painless and takes about just 20-30 minutes to complete.
Know more about pilonidal sinus laser treatment
- Performed as an outpatient or daycare procedure
- No wounds, stitches and scars
- Nil chances of complications
- Full recover in only 2-3 days
- No major lifestyle restrictions
If you are struggling with the symptoms of pilonidal sinus and are looking for an experienced proctologist, you can get in touch with Pristyn Care. They are associated with some of the most well-reputed specialists and hospitals all across India and have a great track record in treating pilonidal sinus patients. You just have to book your appointment online and the team at Pristyn Care will assist you throughout the course of the treatment.
Final Words
Waking up with the pain of pilonidal sinus everyday is certainly not what any of us want to feel. Though, considering the common occurrence of pilonidal sinus, the problem can happen to anyone (especially young men). Even when pilonidal sinus happens, there is no need to stress too much about the condition. Fortunately there are enough treatments available for pilonidal sinus, but laser treatment stands out to be the best resort. It is better to go for the permanent solution than to choose another treatment and regret it later. The most we can do for you is to bring you reliable information, but the decision is all yours to make. Hope you take the best decision for your health.
