Symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus
Having a sinus infection is a very painful condition. However, there are many treatments that can be used to alleviate the symptoms and get rid of it altogether. The following information will help you understand what Pilonidal Sinus is, how it is treated, and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus can be very uncomfortable and can result in pain and loss of sleep. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may need to have surgery or take medications. Having the right information will help you make an informed decision about the best treatment option for you.
A common symptom of Pilonidal Sinus is pain in the tailbone area. This can be caused by infection. When this occurs, you will probably experience swelling, redness, and discharge. You can also get a fever. You can treat this symptom by taking antibiotics. This can reduce the inflammation of the skin and help to heal the pilonidal sinus.
In addition, you should keep the area clean and hygienic. This will also prevent infection from occurring. You can also soak in warm water for a few minutes to relieve pain.
If you feel any signs of infection, you should go to the doctor immediately. A doctor will test the area for bacteria or cancerous tissues. This test is called a lab swab. You can also be given antibiotics if you feel that the infection is severe.
If you have recurring cysts, you may need to have surgery. These cysts will be cleaned and stitched. Then they will begin to heal. The healing time will depend on how your body responds to the medication. You can expect to see results in a few weeks.
Surgical management is most effective for chronic pilonidal sinuses. You can have this surgery done in a hospital or at home. The procedure can take about 30 minutes. You may be able to return to work in a couple of weeks.
Before you undergo a surgical procedure, you will need to discuss with your physician if you can be off work. Your doctor will also need to know if you plan to exercise after the surgery.
You can help the area heal by eating a balanced diet. Foods that are high in fiber can help. Beetroots, apples, and carrots are good sources of dietary fiber. You should also avoid spicy food and caffeine. These can contribute to constipation.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of pilonidal sinus include fever, pain, and pus-filled abscess. Some cases may clear up by themselves. Others may require surgery to heal the wound. The disease is usually asymptomatic until it becomes infected.
Patients can be treated by surgical methods, such as wide excision, incision, drainage, or pit picking. These surgeries can be performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to be free from pain and return home the same day.
A wide excision involves the resection of the entire sinus cavity. Incision and drainage involve opening up the abscess and draining pus. Pitt picking is used to treat abscesses. In a hospital setting, the doctor may use a swab test to determine the type of infection and to check for cancerous tissue.
A digital examination is another common test that may be used to assess the extent of the condition. In this method, a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum. It is then viewed on a digital camera to determine the depth of the tunnel.
The patient may be asked to describe how the pilonidal sinus was caused. The doctor will then ask about the symptoms and how the patient feels. The doctor will also ask about the medical history of the patient. The patient may be tested for increased white blood cells, which can indicate an infection.
The patient may be treated by antibiotics, a pain killer, or an anti-inflammatory drug. The painkillers can help reduce swelling and the anti-inflammatory medication can prevent infections. The patient will need to visit the doctor daily for dressing changes.
The physician will then perform an anoscope or proctoscope exam to evaluate the area. If the specialist finds that the disease is a chronic one, then he or she will likely recommend surgery to remove the sinus.
Surgical procedures have been developed to minimize healing time and recurrence rates. New techniques have been developed since the etiologic physiopathology was elucidated. The Harris protocol has been proposed as a means to decrease healing times.
The primary goal of treatment is to eradicate suppuration and limit recurrences. For the patient, this may mean a return to exercise and a return to work.
Treatment
Several surgical procedures are available for chronic and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease. The goal of treatment is to reduce morbidity and prevent the development of further complications. Surgical options include traditional open surgery, endoscopic surgery, and EPSiT.
In traditional surgery, the sinus is cut out of the skin. A local anesthetic is used to reduce inflammation. The skin is then trimmed. A drainage hole is created and a dressing is placed. The area is then closed with stitches. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions about wound care. It may take a week or two before you are back to your normal activities.
The recurrence rate is around 10% in the first year and up to 30% in the second and third years. The recurrence rates are lower in cases that involve a midline closure.
Compared to other surgical procedures, surgery for pilonidal sinus is more complicated. The surgeon will need to examine the area thoroughly and decide on the best course of treatment. He will also give you advice on the recovery process.
Some patients are able to return to work after a few days. In some cases, it can take up to three weeks to recover. The doctor will likely prescribe pain medication. You may also need to limit bathing for a few days.
During the procedure, the doctor will inject a local anesthetic and make an incision. He will then drain the abscess and remove any inflamed tissue. A CT scan will confirm the diagnosis. The doctor will also perform a detailed physical examination.
A sitz bath can help ease the pain. The doctor will also recommend regular dressing changes. A warm towel placed on the cyst can also help to promote blood circulation. The wound should heal within a month.
The recurrence rate for wide excision and closure is reported to be between 10% and 17.9%. It is a safe and effective method. Unlike open surgical techniques, the cavity in wide excision heals naturally from the bottom upwards.
Despite these good results, the overall cost of this treatment is not well documented. It is important to conduct a prospective randomized trial to ensure adequate long-term follow-up.
Prevention
Whether you have a pilonidal sinus or a simple cyst, it is important to treat it promptly. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems. It may also cause other issues in other parts of your body.
The treatment of a pilonidal sinus involves lancing the infected area to remove pus and blood. Antibiotics are also used to reduce infection. Painkillers can be administered to reduce swelling.
Surgery is the most effective way to remove a pilonidal sinus. Surgery can be done with a scalpel, endoscopic or traditional methods. The surgery will usually take about 30 minutes and you will be able to go home the same day.
You should talk to your doctor about returning to exercise. This can help prevent the return of the infection.
In addition, you should maintain good hygiene. This will reduce the chances of the pilonidal sinus recurring. Having clean and healthy skin can also help prevent the growth of an abscess.
You should report any redness or warmth at the site of the incision. You should also report drainage of pus at the incision. You may need to see your doctor if you have a secondary infection. You should be sure to complete the course of antibiotics prescribed by your physician.
In some cases, your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure to remove the pilonidal sinus. In other cases, you may not require any treatment. You will need to keep the area clean and free of hair. You should avoid hot beverages, spicy foods, and ready-made snacks. They are high in fat and calories. These can lead to weight gain and constipation.
In addition, you should avoid smoking. There are studies that show that people who smoke have poor wound repair. It is best to use gentle products that don’t contain harmful chemicals.
Besides, you should keep your tailbone clean to minimize the risk of developing a pilonidal cyst. If you have a chronic pilonidal sinus, you can have squamous cell carcinoma, which is a form of skin cancer.
The treatment of a pilonidal cyst can involve a combination of medications, surgery, or chemical treatments. You should always keep the wound clean and free of hair.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
