Ever heard of the term pilonidal cyst? Medically, pilonidal cysts are unnatural lumps that appear in the folds of the buttocks, and should be diagnosed by a doctor if they start to hurt or show signs of infection. Want to know various powerful tips for treating pilonidal cysts? Read on for this article!
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Method 1 of 3: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Check with a doctor
If the condition of the cyst does not improve after being treated with natural ingredients, or if the cyst starts to become infected, immediately see a doctor. Some of the symptoms of infection to watch out for are swollen, red, or warm cysts to the touch. Remember, never drain the fluid that fills the cyst without a doctor's help!
- If you think the cyst is getting infected, make sure you keep it clean and keep it closed until it's time to see a doctor.
- Be careful not to squeeze or injure the area affected by the cyst.
Step 2. Remove the fluid that makes up the cyst
One way to treat an infected pilonidal cyst is to perform a surgical removal of the fluid. Before performing the procedure, the doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the area to be operated on, then make a small incision in the cyst wall to drain the fluid inside. Generally, the fluid that makes up the cyst consists of blood, pus, dead skin cells, and other debris.
- After surgery, the cyst will be left open to heal on its own. Although the healing time is longer, this method can reduce the risk of the cyst forming again in the future.
- If you are reluctant to do the above method, the doctor can stitch the cyst after surgery.
- Cysts have a 20-50% chance of reappearing in each person. To prevent this, the only method you can do is surgical excision or tissue removal.
Step 3. Keep the area around the cyst clean
After surgery, make sure you always keep the area of the skin affected by the cyst clean. In other words, change the bandage regularly and clean the area by bathing or doing sitz baths (soaking the affected area with warm water) regularly.
While the recovery process is ongoing, always shave the hair that grows around the surgical site to prevent the cyst from forming again in the future
Method 2 of 3: Treating Cysts at Home
Step 1. Treat the newly formed cyst immediately
Indeed, you can also treat pilonidal cysts yourself with natural ingredients available at home. However, make sure the treatment is started as soon as you feel any swelling or pain that indicates a cyst is forming. If symptoms of infection begin to appear, immediately consult a doctor!
- Wash hands well before and after treating the cyst.
- Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, pain, warmth, and a milky white discharge that smells like cheese.
Step 2. Make a warm compress
Treating the cyst with a warm compress is effective in reducing the pain and swelling it causes. In addition, a moist compress is also able to soften the texture of the cyst.
- Soak a clean towel in warm water; use to compress the cyst for 10 minutes, at least four times a day.
- If you wish, you can also soak a cotton swab in a chamomile tea solution (made from 150 grams of tea brewed in 125 ml of water for 10 minutes) or a solution of 1 apple cider vinegar diluted with water (made by mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part boiling water) pre-cooled). Add a few drops of essential oil to the tea or apple cider vinegar solution if desired.
- You can also compress the cyst with a warm chamomile tea bag. This method is said to be able to accelerate the healing of cysts.
Step 3. Use essential oils
Some types of essential oils that contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can reduce swelling and the risk of infection in cysts are tea tree oil or turmeric oil. During this time, essential oils are often used to treat inflamed acne and/or other types of cysts, as well as reduce swelling of the skin.
- Some types of essential oils that can be used to treat pilonidal cysts are tea tree oil, turmeric oil, garlic oil, and frankincense oil. In addition, castor oil has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can soften cysts and speed up healing.
- Apply pure essential oil to the cyst or dilute three parts essential oil with seven parts castor oil. Use your fingertips or a cotton swab to apply the oil to the skin.
- Do the procedure four times a day. After smearing with oil, cover the cyst with a plaster. If the condition of the cyst does not improve after one to two weeks, contact your doctor immediately.
Step 4. Apply natural ingredients that can drain the cyst
For example, you can apply witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to speed up the drying process of the cyst. Apple cider vinegar has a toning property that contains tannins so it can drain cysts quickly. Apple cider vinegar also has the same content so that both are effective in treating infections on the skin due to cysts.
- If your skin is sensitive to apple cider vinegar and feels sore after applying this method, try diluting 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water before applying it to your skin.
- Use your fingertips or a cotton swab to apply apple cider vinegar to the cyst.
Step 5. Treat the cyst with burdock root
Burdock root is a traditional natural skin remedy that can drain cysts by removing the protein in them.
Mix tsp. dried burdock root with 1 tbsp. honey, then immediately apply to the cyst. Honey has antimicrobial substances that are also able to remove the fluid that makes up the cyst
Step 6. Treat the cyst with blood roots
Bloodroot is a traditional medicine used by the Indians (Native Americans) to treat various skin diseases. To make it, mix tsp. blood root powder with 2 tbsp. castor oil, then apply to the cyst using your fingertips.
- Just apply a small amount of bloodroot and don't apply it to the injured skin.
- Bloodroot should not be taken orally nor should it be rubbed around the eyes, mouth or genitals.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Pilonidal Cysts
Step 1. Understand what a pilonidal cyst is
In fact, a pilonidal cyst is an abnormal lump that appears in the folds of your buttocks. If infected, the cyst can turn into an abscess filled with pus and must be treated immediately.
Generally, pilonidal cysts appear as a result of ingrown hairs or dirt trapped under the skin
Step 2. Identify your risk factors
Generally, pilonidal cysts appear in men between the ages of 20 to 30 years. In addition, the same risk also threatens people who often sit for too long or have jobs that make it difficult for them to be active (eg, truck drivers or office workers).
- Pilonidal cysts have also been shown to be more common in people whose body hair is thick, stiff, and coarse, especially since these types of hair are at greatest risk of piercing and injuring the cyst.
- Also be aware if you are obese or overweight, have recently experienced local trauma or irritation, have a deep buttocks cleft, or have a family member with the disease.
Step 3. Understand the symptoms of a pilonidal cyst
Generally, no specific symptoms appear if the cyst is not infected. However, if the ingrown hairs start to puncture and injure the cyst (usually if you sit for too long, wear tight clothing, or some other unknown factor), it's more likely that the cyst will become infected. Call your doctor immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms of an infected cyst:
- The cyst looks swollen
- The cyst hurts
- The cyst looks red
- The cyst looks like a discharge that smells bad
- You have a fever
- The formation of cavities that generally contain granulation tissue (formed from blood clots), hair, and feces
