A pilonidal cyst is a common condition incurred by hairy or obese men, especially those who tend to sit for long hours. Let us dig a little deep into the pathology and presentation of the disease. A cyst stands for a sac or cavity anywhere in the body, which is often filled with some kind of fluid. It can be mucus, pus, water or debris. Not knowing which doctor treats pilonidal cyst and unaware of the problem, a patient always discusses the case with a general physician first.

A pilonidal cyst is a cyst located in the area of the perineal region that is bound by the anus in the front and the tip of the tailbone in the back. You would have understood that it lies in the gluteal crease. But why would a cyst develop in this area out of nowhere? 

Well, pilonidal cysts are a result of hair trapped inside the skin of the area. Now why would hair be trapped in the skin, you would ask? The entrapment is a result of constant friction and long hours of sitting, which leads to the hair in the anal region being forced into the skin. The entrapment causes a local inflammatory response directed towards removing the hair that is out of place. This causes the accumulation of fluid and debris, thereby leading to the formation of a pilonidal cyst. 

A pilonidal cyst Infection usually resembles a larger than average-sized pimple in the pilonidal area. It is swollen, red and tender to the touch. At most times, it will feel warm, and one might even notice fluid or pus oozing out from the overlying skin. This implies ongoing active infection.

Why does one need treatment for pilonidal cysts?

By the above description, one might come to think of the pilonidal cyst as a benign and harmless condition. But the truth is, the disease is extremely painful, especially when the person sits or strains. This is because of the ongoing infection and inflammation in the area. But here comes the worst part- the disease rarely goes away on its own and almost always requires treatment from a specialist. 

Moreover, if you fail to avail treatment at the right time from a doctor who treats pilonidal cyst, it can have grave consequences. To start with, the infection may keep recurring occasionally with occasional pain-free periods but never truly going away. This is called chronic pilonidal cyst, and it is more difficult to treat than the acute one. Worse, it may complicate into a sinus or fistula, which always require extensive treatments. 

So it is advisable to get your pilonidal cyst to get corrected right away from a pilonidal cyst specialist near me.

Which doctor treats pilonidal cysts?

A general physician will probably refer you to a general surgeon. General surgeons are well versed with the standard treatment regimes of almost all common surgical ailments, such as the pilonidal cyst. But there is another group of specialists that you must consider- colorectal surgeons. These are general surgeons who have undergone extra years of training in the field of colorectal surgery specifically. Colorectal surgery consists of procedures relating to the large bowel and the anal area. So naturally, they are much more reliable when it comes to the common query, ‘which doctor treats pilonidal cyst?’ Apart from seeing the usual cases of acute pilonidal cyst infection, they can handle even the most complicated of cysts with the utmost ease. 

How to find the right expert?

You need to do your research well in order to come across the right physician. There are many third-party web pages you can refer to where the whereabouts of several specialists are listed, along with the necessary details. 

One may also choose to simply google pilonidal cyst specialist near me, and then they will get a list of the reputed colorectal surgeons in your area. After that, compare them based on their institutions of graduation and post-graduation, their years of experience and public ratings and reviews, if applicable. Information about all of their accomplishments, including medals, awards, publications, research papers, etc., will usually be provided on those websites. 

You may also seek references from the doctors you know and trust. Book a consultation and discuss your case in detail in order to find out if the specialist can help you with this problem of yours. 

There is nothing to be ashamed of when suffering from the disease. Pilonidal cyst causes a lot of embarrassment to people, but it is important to understand that it Is a fairly common condition affecting millions of people in the US each year. If you delay your consultation and rather wait for it to go away on its own due to the shame attached to it, it might cause you a lot of trouble in the future, as discussed above. So go forth and begin your search as to which doctor treats pilonidal cysts, so that he or she may do the necessary to get your condition rectified.