Help! My Growing Lipoma Is Becoming Irritating
The good news about having a lipoma is that it’s usually not cause for concern and doesn’t require treatment. But if you have a lipoma that’s causing problems, here’s what you can do.
Symptoms of Pilonidal Cysts
It’s usually easy to detect a pilonidal cyst, because they typically appear in the upper crease of the buttocks near the tailbone. This common problem affects more than 70,000 Americans each year, especially men in their 20s.
Unfortunately, many people find their symptoms embarrassing, which keeps them from talking to their doctors. The good news is that this condition is highly treatable.
Scott A. deVilleneuve, MD, at Surgical Associates of North Texas uses state-of-the-art techniques to treat pilonidal cysts. Not only can he help relieve your symptoms, but he can help prevent recurring problems.
Understanding pilonidal cysts
Pilonidal cysts form when a hair punctures the skin and becomes embedded. This causes a pocket to form around the hair.
While the exact cause of pilonidal cysts isn’t known, they’re typically associated with friction and pressure. So, as something pushes hair against your skin, your body responds by making a cyst around the hair as if it’s a threat.
Anyone can develop a pilonidal cyst. However, several factors can increase your risk, such as:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having excess, thick, or rough body hair
- Wearing tight clothing
- Sitting all day
- Being 20-35 years old
Men are 3-4 times more likely to get pilonidal cysts than women.
Symptoms of pilonidal cysts
In the earliest stages of a pilonidal cyst, you may notice a small bump, dimple, or pimple-like mass at the base of your tailbone. However, these pockets are highly susceptible to infection, which can lead to several uncomfortable symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Redness
- Pus or blood drainage in the area
- Foul-smelling fluid
- Fever, nausea, or fatigue
It’s also common for symptoms to worsen when you sit or apply pressure to the area. Without treatment, you may experience chronic problems with pilonidal cysts and have a slightly higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Treating pilonidal cysts
Fortunately, there are several treatments for pilonidal cysts. In fact, in the earliest stages, mild cysts often respond to soaking in a warm tub. But, as a pilonidal cyst worsens, it may require more advanced medical treatment, including soft tissue surgery.
Depending on the severity of your cyst, Dr. deVilleneuve might leave your wound open and packed with dressing or close it with stitches over a drain. Wounds that are left open heal from the inside out, so they take longer to heal.
No matter which treatment you undergo, it will be important to follow Dr. deVilleneuve’s care instructions to help avoid developing pilonidal cysts in the future.
If you have a pilonidal cyst and want treatment, or if you want to see if you have one, book an appointment online or over the phone with Surgical Associates of North Texas today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How Can I Put an End To Chronic Pilonidal Cysts?
One pilonidal cyst can be painful enough, but it’s even worse when it becomes a recurring problem. Sound familiar? If you have chronic pilonidal cysts, you need expert treatment to solve the issue. Read on to learn more.
4 Important Questions To Ask Your General Surgeon Before Hernia Surgery
Do you have a hernia repair on the horizon? If so, read on to learn some questions you should ask your surgeon before you undergo your procedure. These questions can help prepare you for your procedure and also help ensure the best outcome.
When Does a Lipoma Require Medical Intervention?
Lipomas typically involve fatty lumps of tissue. However, even though they’re often harmless, they can sometimes require medical attention. If you have a lipoma, here’s what you should know.
4 Ways To Ensure a Strong Recovery After Gallbladder Surgery
Do you need your gallbladder removed? Your surgeon can often use laparoscopic techniques to make the procedure less invasive. But, it’s still surgery, so it can take some time to fully recover. Here are some steps you can take to support the process.
5 Encouraging Facts About Hernias
You’ve likely heard the word “hernia” before, but do you know what it means? And should you be worried if you have one? Read on to learn more about this common problem — you may be surprised by what you discover.