A pilonidal cyst is a closed sac under the skin at the top of the crease of the buttocks. Pilonidal cysts usually do not cause problems unless they become infected.
The cause of a pilonidal cyst is unclear. They usually occur in men in their late teens through 20s, although they are occasionally noticed at birth as a depression or sometimes as a hairy dimple.
Symptoms of an infected pilonidal cyst (abscess) include:
- Pain.
- Swelling and redness.
- Drainage of pus and/or blood.
- Fever.
If a pilonidal cyst develops a long-lasting or frequently recurring infection, it is called pilonidal disease. Treatment includes surgical drainage or surgical removal.
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
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