puss formation at tail bone (just at the beginning of buttocks crack)?

Question

in 2002, i had a severe pain in my tail bone area(near the buttocks crack) which later on turned into an internal boil and later got burst. the same problem is recurring now(oct 2006). i think it is due to long sitting hours while studying and overweight.
im presently on antibiotics and skin cream 'soframycin'.

1. why does this problem occurs?
2. what all preventions and precautions should i take so that the same problem does not occurs?
3. what is the correct medication?

Answer 1

My husband had this about 7 years ago. It was a pilonidal cyst which the doctor said had occurred as a result of ingrown hair. The lump was in the same area as yours and grew frighteningly fast. He had surgery for it - rather gruesome as they literally carved a wedge of tissue out of his backside. It was an extremely painful ordeal and I had to pack and unpack the wound for him (I almost passed out - definitely not nurse or doctor material).
The surgeon said these cysts occur in some people (more common in white males who are overweight and hairy) for various reasons and can reoccur despite surgery. Perhaps it's the same as certain people's tendency to get boils.

According to WebMD:
Your risk of developing pilonidal disease increases if you are:
- A white male. Pilonidal cysts are 3 times more likely to develop in white men than in white women. (They are rare in blacks and Asians.)
- Between the ages of 15 and 40. The occurrence of pilonidal cysts peaks between 16 and 20 years of age.
- A person with heavy growth of body hair.
- An overweight male.
My husband fit all those categories. Luckily, it has not reoccured.
WebMD is a great site because it's pretty comprehensive and lists home remedies also.

None of this substitutes for a conversation with your doctor as to whether this is a cyst, abcess, boil or whatever and what you can change in your personal habits to lessen the chance of reoccurance. If you feel something isn't working or you've heard of another treatment, you should run it by him/her.
Good luck and feel better.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have a pylonidal cyst. These can only be eradicated by surgical means, and even then not always successfully. My son has had the same issue for several years and has has surgery twice now to remove the infective tissues. It has nothing to do with weight or how long you sit, in fact the surgeons could not give me a decent answer as to why it does happen, only that the only real treatment is surgery. Eventually they said that the infection would not return, we are waiting til next year to see if this is true.

Answer 3

It definately does sound like a pilonidal cyst to me. A pilonidal cyst (from Latin meaning 'hair nest') is a blanket term for any type of skin infection near the tailbone. These are normally quite painful, occur somewhat more often in men than in women, and normally happen in early adulthood. Although usually found near the tailbone, this painful condition can be found in several places, including the navel or the armpit. Development of the condition in a place other than the tailbone is exceedingly rare, however. It usually happens in young people, up to their thirties in age. Conditions in which it commonly occurs include obesity, body hair around the area in question, and a sedentary lifestyle. While a traumatic event is not believed to cause a pilonidal cyst, such an event has been known to inflame existing cysts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

If a pilonidal cyst develops a long-lasting or frequently recurring infection, it is called pilonidal disease. Treatment includes surgical drainage or surgical removal.
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/skinconditions/overview/article/healthwise/popup/stp1683

Pilonidal Support Alliance
http://www.pilonidal.org/

Pilonidal Cyst Comes Back
http://www.redorbit.com/news/display?id=243129&source=r_healt

Answer 4

Pilonidal Support Alliance

Answer 5

My husband had the same exact thing. His surgeon suggested having surgery on it because he said it would just keep reoccurring if he didn't. I'd go see a surgeon. My husband's DR said it just happens to some people.

Answer 6

r u tryin 2 gross me out?

Answer 7

Excuse me? Why are you asking HERE and not your DOCTOR??