Pilonidal sinus treatment without surgery

Sometimes pilonidal disease is discovered by chance, during a general medical examination, and is not accompanied by any symptoms or is accompanied by only mild discomfort. In these situations, the behavior of the disease can be monitored conservatively, without surgery.

To reduce the chance of symptoms appearing and worsening of the disease, it is recommended:

1. Make sure to keep the buttocks area clean.

2. Remove ingrown hairs from the pilonidal openings in the skin.

3. Treat excess weight if present.

4. Avoid, as much as possible and without compromising your lifestyle, activities that involve prolonged sitting, local pressure on the buttocks, riding, etc.

5. Avoid tight clothing around the pelvis and buttocks.

6. Quit smoking.

7. Consider laser treatment for the skin of the buttock crease (not yet clearly proven to help prevent it).

Note to Think About: There is a natural reluctance among surgeons to recommend aggressive surgery such as wide excision in cases of pilonidal disease with mild discomfort and symptoms. However, there is no reason to consider minimal surgery under local anesthesia, without hospitalization, with a quick and easy recovery and no cosmetic damage.