Health Library

Pilonidal sinus disease

Pilonidal abscess; Pilonidal sinus; Pilonidal cyst; Pilonidal disease

Pilonidal sinus disease is an inflammatory condition involving the hair follicles that can occur anywhere along the crease between the buttocks, which runs from the bone at the bottom of the spine (sacrum) to the anus. The disease is benign and has no association with cancer.

Pilonidal disease may appear as:

• A small pit or pore in the skin that contains dark spots or hair
• A pilonidal sinus, in which a tract grows under the skin or deeper from the hair follicle
• A pilonidal cyst, in which a pocket of fluid forms underneath the pit or sinus
• A pilonidal abscess, in which the pilonidal cyst becomes infected and pus collects in the adjacent fat tissue

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Considerations

Symptoms may include:

• Pus draining from a small pit in the skin
• Tenderness over the area after you are active or sit for a period of time
• Warm, tender, swollen area near the tailbone
• Fever (rare)

There may be no symptoms other than a small dent (pit) in the skin in the crease between the buttocks.

Causes

The cause of pilonidal disease is not clear. It is thought to be caused by hair growing into the skin in the crease between the buttocks.

This problem is more likely to occur in people who:

• Are obese
• Experience trauma or irritation in the area
• Have excess body hair, particularly coarse, curly hair

Home Care

Wash normally and pat dry. Use a soft bristle scrub brush to prevent the hairs from becoming ingrown. Keep the hairs in this region short (shaving, laser, depilatory) which may decrease the risk of flare-ups and recurrence.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you notice any of the following around a pilonidal cyst:

• Drainage of pus
• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

You will be asked for your medical history and given a physical exam. You will be asked for the following information:

• Has there been any change in the appearance of the pilonidal sinus disease?
• Has there been any drainage from the area?
• Do you have any other symptoms?

A pilonidal cyst that causes no symptoms does not need to be treated right away. You may discuss possible removal with your care team, to prevent it from enlarging, or to prevent it from developing into an abscess.

A pilonidal abscess needs to be opened, drained, and sometimes packed with gauze. Antibiotics may be used if there is an infection spreading in the skin or you also have another, more severe illness.

Other surgeries that may be needed include:

• Removal (excision) of the diseased area
• Skin grafts
• Flap operation following excision
• Surgery to remove an abscess that returns

References

Kelso-O'Brien S, Perez-Tamayo AM, Abcarian AM. Management of pilonidal disease. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 56.

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Surgical conditions of the anus and rectum. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 392.

Surrell JA. Pilonidal cyst and abscess: current management. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.

Review Date: 10/7/2025  

Reviewed By: John Meilahn, MD, General Surgeon, Wyndmoor, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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