|
[ Pilonidal Cyst Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
My husband was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst. He had it drained once about nine months ago, but now it has flarred up again, and is leaking puss. We are confused on exactly what method of treatment to take. Surgery is scheduled in the near future, but we are having second thoughts since it is not bothering him and we opt for a non-surgical treatment. Any information regarding non-surgical treatments would be greatly appreciated.
In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Chris on November 13, 2000 at 20:16:46:
my 18 yr old son had his 1st flare up bck in march 2000. we
did opt to have surgery w/it closed - it later opened - so, we continued to wet/dry dress twice a day for almost 6 weeks. He also showered before each dressing, and I stimulated the rim of the opening with a gauze stick. as well as stimulating the inside. I was also told by a home nurse to have him eat alot of protein. it was a success story until we, in the last month, stopped shaving the area. His doc was impressed by how well it healed- until we
neglected to shave it weekly. he now has another one appearing - but it is closing faster than before. he also is scheduled for surgery - sometime this week - by a plastic surgeon to form a flap over the hole - which will stop the hair growth. we are still deciding on the surgery -but we have the cleansing and stimulation down.
In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Chris on November 13, 2000 at 20:16:46:
The Archives are full of advice. Essentially, it seems that surgery has only about 50% success rate and involves allowing an open wound to heal outwards (can be a few inches deep!) for a few months. No-one knows of a cure as such, but it can be lived with in many case if you treat flare-ups with regular hot compresses. tea-tree oil is also popular. I'm waiting to hear on this BB about a caustic treatment, whether it is a safe bet at eliminating the cyst, so keep an eye out for any postings related to it.
Having this cyst is the most horrible thing that has happened to me, so I feel lucky -- I lost my best friend to cancer a couple of years ago. Pilonidal cysts are nothing in comparison...
Good luck!
In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Chris on November 13, 2000 at 20:16:46:
I just had my operation on Friday night, it's does indeed go deep it's about three inches around and about 4 inches deep! Having to wait while it heals from the bottom up is going to take forever I think. However the doc I have told me that the success rate was about 90-99% with only a small number repeats.. Here's hoping
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Mike on November 14, 2000 at 11:41:47:
Hi, Chris.
How come this doc gets "90-99% cure rates and all the others get 50%. I wouldn't believe him for a minute!
If you get your recurrence he will tell you that you are just that unlucky 1%.
Walt
In Reply to: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Chris on November 13, 2000 at 20:16:46:
For Chris.
Read the archives.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Mike on November 14, 2000 at 11:41:47:
Sorry, Mike.
My note about the surgeon was meant for you and not Chris.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Walt Stoll on November 15, 2000 at 09:53:09:
Even my surgeon flat out said 50-50. But, I tried anyway. Lisa
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Joey on November 14, 2000 at 10:42:50:
How exactly do you make a hot compress. My doc said warm sitz baths were just as effective. Lisa
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by bonnie/mother to son w/cyst on November 13, 2000 at 23:19:52:
Bonnie, be careful about the hair growth. My doc prescribed laser hair removal. I had it done, but even Walt feels the hair is not the only problem. The stimulating and donut are essential too. Lisa
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Lisa on November 17, 2000 at 21:57:31:
Lisa,
Microwave or heat some water very hot, put in a small bowl and dip a folded washcloth and squeeze out, then apply (obviously don't scald yourself). Re-dip the cloth when it cools. The heated water will last at least 5 minutes.
Another thought, something my husband does when I have a killer headache, is to carefully microwave a thoroughly dampened and wrung out cloth and wrap in a dry one. As it cools (while you are using it) you can remove the dry one and have the hot, damp one to apply. Walt says the moist heat is what is most helpful.
June
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Lisa on November 17, 2000 at 21:57:31:
Hi, Lisa.
I a afraid that your doc is just ignorant about how hot compresses work. Their effectiveness (for reversing an infection) is a ratio of the area being treated to the rest of the body. The heat concentrates the circulation, from the rest of the body, in the area of the infection. A sitz bath not only cannot be hot enough but it involves at least 1/3 of the body--as compared to the other 2/3s of the body. A hot compress would have the ratio of less than a 20th of the body area as compared to at least 19 times as much area---at least 20 times as effective!!!!!!!!
Try it, you will see!
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by June on November 18, 2000 at 10:48:21:
Thanks June. I thought thats what it was and I have been using compresses. Do I add tree oil to the water??? Lisa
In Reply to: Re: Pilonidal cyst recommendation badly needed posted by Lisa on November 19, 2000 at 11:24:49:
Lisa,
Tea tree oil is not necessary per Walt's instructions but I think its great stuff and I'd sure use it. It certainly won't hurt and will probably help.
June
|
[ Pilonidal Cyst Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |