In the case of Pilonidal Cyst, very little can be done in the name of treatment besides surgery because only medicines are not enough to control it. This is particularly true for the cases where a person is infected with a pilonidal cyst resulting in pain as well as irritation. And after visiting your doctor, you will finally realize that only surgery can save you from the infected cyst. However, if you still want to know what happens if you don’t get Pilonidal Cyst excision surgery, let’s try finding out the facts together.
Immediate Consequences of Avoiding Surgery
If you avoid the excision of pilonidal cyst surgery, you may face several issues:
Increased Pain and Discomfort
If a pilonidal cyst is not treated surgically then some major signs may be evident and cause more pain and discomfort. If the cysts are left untreated they can grow to a larger size accompanied by increased inflammation levels compared to the previous stages. Strenuous activities that require walking, sitting, and even performing other basic operations can become challenging since pain increases with its degree.
So, to stay away from all these issues, you are left with no other option than surgery to remove the cyst. All that pain and discomfort is not worth bearing because you ultimately need an excision surgery pilonidal cyst to say goodbye to the infected cyst.
Recurrent Infections
If the pilonidal cyst is not removed surgically, it will always give you recurrent infections. These infections can lead to a situation whereby the cyst will get overfilled and ooze out pus & blood. And the worst of it is, it seems you are in this endless cycle of having pain, inflammation, and then of course, passing out the fluids. In the long run, infections reoccur, ulcers appear as a result of the bacteria, and the formation of abscesses which in most cases require surgery.
Moreover, at this point, no medicines or any other treatments except surgery can help you. You have to find the right colorectal surgeon who can remove the cyst and set you free from all that discomfort. You can proceed toward the pilonidal cyst excision surgery recovery.
Long-Term Risks of Untreated Pilonidal Cysts
Here are the long-term risks associated with untreated Pilonidal cysts:
Chronic Pilonidal Disease
On very rare occasions, the pilonidal cyst may progress to chronic pilonidal disease, where the condition either stays or gets worse for months or even years. Recurrent pilonidal disease is characterized by multiple episodes of recurrence, chronic ulceration, and persistent itching and pain. This condition can badly affect the quality of life and may sometimes need another major operation.
Development of Sinus Tracts
Should the pilonidal cysts not be treated they may turn into sinus tracts, which are channels that directly link the cysts with the skin. Such tracts may allow the cyst to discharge on the outer end but it also makes the risk of infections spread to other parts of the body. Although sinus tracts are difficult to remove and require a long-term administration of antibiotics, they usually require surgical intervention. Without the surgery, there is no other way to stop the development of these sinus tracts.
Risk of Complications
If left untreated, a pilonidal cyst progresses to chronic issues, but there are still higher chances of turning into more severe conditions including cellulitis, which is an infection of the skin, or sepsis which is a life-threatening course of infection that affects the whole body. Such are the conditions that warrant the need for medical attention and in case they go unrecognized, can indeed be fatal.
Read More: What Happens If Pilonidal Cyst is Not Operated?
Managing Pilonidal Cysts Without Surgery
People who cannot undergo surgery, have to make sure that they take good care of their condition in order not to develop complications. Let’s talk about some non-surgical approaches that may help:
- Hygiene: Make sure that the cyst area is clean and free from moisture since this increases the chance of getting an infection.
- Hair Removal: Shaving the surrounding hair frequently is important to prevent hair penetration into the skin and causing irritation. The cleaner the surface, the lesser the chances of infection.
- Warm Compresses: In the affected area warm compresses are necessary since they help reduce the pain and ease the process of drainage.
- Antibiotics: In conditions that may be as a result of bacteria, some drugs such as antibiotics can be given to control symptoms.
Although such steps can give somewhat relief, they do not treat the reason for the cyst formation and might not help to avoid reappearance.
Wrapping Up:
If you avoid pilonidal cyst surgery, it will lead to more pain, increased infection frequency, and open doors to more health issues. What you need to know is that although non-surgical management may bring some symptomatic improvement, the risks and the consequences of ignoring a pilonidal cyst are not very pleasant. When it comes to pilonidal cysts, you must seek the help of a medical practitioner so that the options in front of you can be explained along with the overall health concern that you may have to face.
