Talk with your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

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Symptoms

Its possible that a pilonidal cyst might not cause any symptoms.

Eventually, a cyst forms around the hair.

Healthcare provider talks to a seated teenager in a medical clinic

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Other symptoms can be major clues in the diagnosis, including.

However, they may be used if another condition is a suspected cause of the cyst.

Treatment

The first-linetreatment for a pilonidal cystis usually draining it or having surgery to remove it.

There also might be adressingon the area that needs to be changed.

In all cases, follow-up care will be needed to check on the healing.

The problem won’t heal up without help and potential for infection or recurrence will remain.

Prognosis

A pilonidal cyst is considered a benign (harmless) condition.

Rarely, it could lead to a serious infection or complication if not treated.

Pilonidal cysts are less common in people over the age of 40.

For that reason, they might stop being a problem as people age.

Untreated Pilonidal Cysts

Not treating a pilonidal cyst does have risks.

Your healthcare provider can discuss drainage, surgery, and other treatment options as well as potential complications.

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