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Pilonidal Disease

California Pediatric Surgical Group Our Services Pilonidal Disease

California Pediatric Surgical Group

General Surgery & Pediatric Surgery located in Santa Barbara, & Ventura, CA

If your child has recurrent infections at the top of their buttocks, they may have a condition known as pilonidal disease. At California Pediatric Surgical Group in Santa Barbara, and Ventura, California, offices, the skilled surgical team offers pilonidal cyst drainage and sinus removal procedures to prevent the spread of infection and ease pain. Find out more about treatment options for pilonidal disease by calling the California Pediatric Surgical Group office nearest you or requesting an appointment online today.

Pilonidal Disease Q&A

What is pilonidal disease?

Pilonidal disease is a chronic skin infection that develops in the crease of the buttocks. This condition is most common in children going through puberty and can affect men and women through the age of 40. 

The most common cause of pilonidal disease involves hair follicles in the area that become infected. When hair gets trapped in the infected area, abscesses can form and worsen the condition.

Because the condition develops on the back, pilonidal disease often goes unnoticed until the infection is serious and becomes painful.

What are the symptoms of pilonidal disease?

The symptoms of pilonidal disease can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Redness
  • Forming of small dimples
  • Drainage of cloudy or bloody fluids

If left untreated, pilonidal disease can develop into a large, painful mass, or pilonidal cyst. Infected cysts, or abscesses, can become very painful. While cysts may resolve on their own, they often leave behind a pilonidal sinus, a cavity that forms below the surface of the skin and connects to the surface through one or more small openings.

How is pilonidal disease treated?

To ease pain and prevent the spread of infection, the surgical team at California Pediatric Surgical Group offer services to safely drain the pilonidal cyst. Through a small incision, the surgeon ensures fluids drain out completely.

If pilonidal disease is recurrent, your child may need surgery to remove the sinuses from beneath the surface of the skin. In many cases, an unroofing technique is required to treat the sinus. This involves removing the skin over the cavity and trimming away the edges of skin to promote healing.

Following your child’s surgery, your California Pediatric Surgical Group surgeon ensures you have the resources you need to clean the surgical site and prevent infection. They can also recommend hair removal options to prevent the recurrence of pilonidal cysts and infections.

If your child needs drainage services for a pilonidal cyst or surgical treatment of recurrent pilonidal disease, schedule a consultation at the California Pediatric Surgical Group office nearest you today by phone or by using the online booking tool.

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