Pilonidal cyst: what is it exactly?
First thing to know: it is not abnormal to have a pilonidal cyst, which is also called a "sacrococcygeal cyst" or "pilonidal sinus".
" In some people, at the time of conception of the fetus, a cyst composed of embryonic residues is observed: very concretely, it is a small ball that develops (in 95% of cases) above of the inter-gluteal fold, and in which we find embryonic residues – cellular debris, skin debris, neurological debris, hairs … The baby is born with this cyst, and it is nothing serious "explains Dr. Isabelle Gallay, dermatologist.
Problem: In some situations, this pilonidal cyst can become inflammatory. This particularly concerns people who have significant hair growth in the inter-gluteal fold, who wear very tight clothes and / or who remain seated all day long. However, this is not systematic: " it is quite possible to have a pilonidal cyst that never inflames "remarks the specialist.
Pilonidal cyst: symptoms. When the pilonidal cyst is the seat of inflammation, one can notice characteristic symptoms: one feels a rather soft "ball" above the inter-gluteal fold, this ball can be painful, red and hot to the touch.
Pilonidal cyst: medical treatment
In the event of an inflamed pilonidal cyst, the general practitioner may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (to reduce inflammation and soothe symptoms) but also antibiotic therapy (that is to say antibiotic drugs: indeed, it can be question of bacterial superinfection).
" While waiting for symptoms to subside, it may be worth investing in a buoy / cushion to sit on as the pilonidal cyst can be very painful. "recommends Dr. Isabelle Gallay.
" If the cyst is large and / or inflames on a regular basis, the attending physician may refer his patient to a surgeon who will remove the lesion: this is an operation that requires the help of a specialist because the cyst is sometimes quite deep "remarks the dermatologist.
Another possibility is the laser. " The ND-Yag hair removal laser is sometimes used to destroy a pilonidal cyst in depth: do not hesitate to ask your doctor for advice. dermatologist doctor "adds the specialist.
Pilonidal cyst: on the side of alternative medicine …
The doctor's advice. " If you have a pilonidal cyst and even if it is very painful, avoid touching it: you may develop a potentially serious bacterial secondary infection. The best reflex is still to make an appointment with your doctor. "advises Dr. Isabelle Gallay.
Warning ! The natural remedies proposed below can absolutely not replace a consultation with the doctor: they are only complementary vis-à-vis an anti-inflammatory and / or antibiotic treatment.
In a bottle, mix 1 mL of cistus essential oil (Cistus ladaniferus L.) + 1 mL of verbenone rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis L. verbenoniferum.) + 1 mL of Italian helichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum G. Don) + 0.5 mL of noble laurel essential oil (Laurus nobilis L.) + 1 mL of rosemary camphor essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis L. camphoriferum.) + 0.5 mL of fragrant wintergreen essential oil (Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall.) + 10 mL of vegetable oil (hazelnut or sweet almond, for example).
Only after medical advice, massage the area twice a day for 3 weeks with this mixture. Warning: this massage oil is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, people with asthma and / or epilepsy, as well as in people on anticoagulant treatment.
To reduce the inflammation of a pilonidal cyst, naturopathy recommends applying a poultice of green clay: as it dries, the earth "absorbs" water and toxins, which helps to deflate the cyst and allay the symptoms.
Apply a poultice of green clay to the inflamed cyst every evening and let it dry well – ideally: overnight. Clean with lukewarm water and neutral soap (from Marseille or Aleppo, for example), dry well.
If there is no homeopathic remedy specifically intended to combat the symptoms of pilonidal cyst, Hypericum 9 CH can help: these granules are used in homeopathy to combat intense and throbbing pains, which are found in particular on a nervous path. Three granules are taken twice a day in addition to the drug treatment.
Thanks to Dr. Isabelle Gallay, dermatologist in Dijon (21) and Vice President of the SNDV (National Syndicate of Dermatology Venerology).
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