Conditions
Pilonidal Disease
Please note: Most of this information can be found at www.pilonidal.org. This website is an excellent resource for people living with pilonidal disease.
Pilonidal disease is an inflammation of a hair follicle locate in the midline of the buttocks. This inflammation of the hair follicle can lead to an infection and abscess. If the hair follicle is infected, a lump may develop that is tender to touch and may be red.
Pilonidal disease is due to the blocking and inflammation of pores in the midline of the buttocks, this process is called “follicular occlusion”. This occlusion is acquired and except for in rare cases, is not genetic.
- Family history of pilonidal disease
- Fetal development problems (spina bifida occulta)
- Shape, size and scaliness of hair
- Amount of hair in the natal cleft and buttocks
- Size of the pores in the skin over the tailbone
- High degree of friction and pressure on the tailbone (sitting improperly)
- Traumatic injury to the tailbone (such as falling)
- Participation in high tailbone impact activity (such as horseback riding)
- Dept of the natal cleft (impacted by weight and genetics)
- Shape of the natal cleft (overhanging areas, dips)
- Tendency toward blocked hair follicles (acne, boils, sebaceous cysts)
- Tendency toward other skin problems (eczema…)
The usual sign of pilonidal disease is swelling and pain in the tailbone area. For some people, this pain is minor and for others the pain is severe enough to include a emergency room trip. Not all pain in the tailbone area is related to pilonidal disease. If you are experiencing pain in your tailbone area, please visit a healthcare professional.
Occasionally an ultrasound might be performed to get a picture of how deep the abscess is. However, the real diagnosis is to be seen by a colon or rectal surgeon who has the knowledge and training to recognize pilonidal disease.
Treatment depends on the stages of the disease. For an abscess flare up, the doctor might recommend draining the abscess and removing the debris and hair that is causing the problem. This technique is effective for acute infections. Once the acute abscess has healed, in about 10 days, the surgeon might ask you to come back to have the pits picked. For more chronic and advanced pilonidal disease the surgeon might recommend a cleft lift procedure. Dr. Tom Bascom, along with his father Dr. John Bascom, have been pioneers of this procedure. For more information, please see the procedures page or visit www.pilonidal.org
Proper hygiene along with removal of excess hair can help to prevent a flare up of pilonidal disease. For more tips on proper hygiene, please visit www.pilonidal.org
www.pilonidal.org/medical_profs.htm
Related Documents:
- utility of the cleft lift.pdf (143.02 KB)
References:
Dr. John Bascom
Dr. Thomas Bascom
www.pilonidal.org