Advice for pilonidal cyst please!!

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi everyone!

I currently have my first pilonidal cyst and it burst yesterday. I went to see my doctor today and he said it is looking quite dry and looks as though it may be getting better. However I go on holiday abroad next Saturday which my doctor is worried about. He wants me to see him next Thursday before I go so he can check up on it. However, he said if it fills up and becomes painful again I must go straight to hospital to get it lanced! Which means I won't be able to go on holiday. Has anyone got any tips on how I can prevent it from coming back? I want to do all I can to try and prevent it coming back because I don't want to have to cancel my holiday and lose all the money I spent on it! Thank you!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    OK, here is the deal. First, I assume doc gave you a strong dose of antibiotics. If not, get on them right away. They wont cure it, but should knock it back for vacation. It might "go away", but not be cured. I went back and forth with my first one for almost a year. See a specialist not a GP! If/when you need to get it treated, get it excised. That is not lancing. That is cutting it out in doc office under local anesthesia. I have had three removed. My advice is once antibiotics dont work anymore get it done fast. The longer you wait the worse it is. Getting a small one excised is not bad. There is a pilonidal organization that is very useful. Good luck!

    • Posted

      Hi thank you for your reply! My doctor has prescribed be with flucloxacillin antibiotics which I take 4 of a day. I am due to finish taking them tomorrow but my doctor has gave me another weeks worth to take me to next Monday. I am seeing him again on Thursday for him to check up on it before I go away so I will speak to him regarding the treatment options such as excision instead of lancing like you mentioned. I am taking epsom salt baths twice a day and the cyst is getting smaller and smaller day by day. How quick are pilonidal cysts likely to return? For example will it look like it's going then balloon up within a day or is it usually weeks or months till another flare up? Thank you

    • Posted

      Pilonidals can take a long term to return, or return quickly, hard to say. Antibiotics work for awhile, especially for the first one, but eventually lose potency. While on antibiotics they usually don't flare up. Normally excision is done by a colorectal surgeon - make sure you see a specialist! This is not a GP thing. Also check out the pilonidal organization resources, very informative.

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