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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > 9 Home Remedies for Pilonidal Cysts and How to Use Them

9 Home Remedies for Pilonidal Cysts and How to Use Them

June 21, 2022
8 min read
By Sarita Sanke, MD | Dermatology

In this article:

  • What Are Pilonidal Cysts?
  • Home Remedies for Pilonidal Cysts
  • What Are the Causes of Pilonidal Cysts?
  • Who Gets This Disorder?
  • Signs and Symptoms of Pilonidal Cysts
  • Diagnosing Pilonidal Cysts
  • Treatment for Pilonidal Cysts
  • Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Pilonidal Cysts
  • Most-Asked Questions About Pilonidal Cysts
  • Final Word

A pilonidal cyst is an abnormal round growth near your tailbone. It can be painful to sit on and may sometimes have discharge. (1)

home remedies for pilonidal cysts

Pilonidal cysts can be an embarrassing problem to go through but are fairly common among men. The good news is several home remedies and preventive tips can help you deal with pilonidal cysts. (2)

What Are Pilonidal Cysts?

Cysts are abnormal growths of tissue that may be filled with fluid and cause pain. Pilonidal cysts are cysts that occur on the pilonidal sinus, which is present at the cleft of your butt. It appears as a bump at the end of your tailbone and can be painful at times.

Home Remedies for Pilonidal Cysts

Here are some home remedies that will help you manage pilonidal cyst:

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1. Warm compress

warm compress usage can help prevent pilonidal cysts

If used when the cyst is mild and recent, warm compresses can go a long way in helping the cyst heal on its own and preventing infection. (3)

How to use:

  1. Soak a clean cotton cloth in warm water.
  2. Apply this cloth as a compress to the area.

2. Oregano and tea tree oil

Oregano and tea tree oil are both well known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. (4) Terpinen-4-ol, present in tea tree oil, is one of the most potent natural antioxidant compounds that can treat swelling and skin irritation. (5)

How to use:

  1. Mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with a few drops of oregano oil and tea tree oil.
  2. Apply this oil blend to the cyst once a day.

3. Castor oil

Castor oil is another potent antioxidant oil with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help provide faster relief from pilonidal cysts. (6)

How to use:

  1. Dip a piece of sterile gauze or cotton ball in warm castor oil.
  2. Apply this to the cyst for 10–15 minutes twice a day.

4. Manuka honey

manuka honey is a proven natural remedy for pilonidal cysts

Manuka honey is anti-inflammatory and is a proven natural remedy for pilonidal cysts.

In a recent study conducted on patients suffering from pilonidal cysts, 90% of them were effectively treated with topical application of manuka honey. (7)

How to use:

  • You can consume manuka honey extract capsules.
  • Pour some manuka honey into a piece of sterile gauze, and apply this to the affected area.

5. Witch hazel

Witch hazel contains large amounts of tannins. Tannins are natural compounds that can help dry out wounds and cysts to hasten the healing process and prevent infections. (8)

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How to use:

  1. Dip a cotton ball in some castor oil mixed with a few drops of witch hazel oil.
  2. Apply it to the affected area once or twice a day.

6. Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is a well-known anti-inflammatory and healing remedy used for a number of skin issues. It accelerates wound healing and helps keep infections at bay. (9)

How to use:

  1. Add a few drops of olive oil to 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and mix well.
  2. Apply this paste to the affected area once or twice a day.

7. Licorice with hot oil treatment

licorice can help inhibit pilonidal cyst formation

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a widely used Ayurvedic cure for wounds. It helps prevent infections and has pain-alleviating properties. (10)

How to use:

  1. Mix some castor oil and coconut oil together and heat the mixture.
  2. Add some powdered licorice root to this oil blend. Let it cool.
  3. Apply this paste to the pilonidal cyst once or twice a day. (10)

8. Burdock leaves and olive oil

Burdock leaves contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds that can help treat a pilonidal cyst faster.

Some research studies have proven the effectiveness of steeped burdock leaves in healing wounds. (11)

How to use:

  1. Put dried burdock leaves in a glass jar.
  2. Pour some olive oil into the jar to soak these leaves and seal the jar.
  3. Let it sit in the sun for a couple of weeks.
  4. Strain the oil and heat it for a few minutes before storing it in a container.
  5. Apply this burdock-infused olive oil to the affected area once or twice a day.

9. Turmeric paste

Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can help relieve the pain and swelling caused by a pilonidal cyst and also prevent infections. (12)

How to use:

  1. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with a few drops of coconut oil to make a paste.
  2. Apply this paste to the affected area.

What Are the Causes of Pilonidal Cysts?

The common causes of pilonidal cysts are:

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  • Long periods of sitting
  • Obesity
  • Ingrown hair
  • Heredity
  • Constantly wearing skin-tight clothing
  • Improper hygiene, which may cause infection in the cysts (13)

Who Gets This Disorder?

Pilonidal cysts are more frequently reported in men, though they can also occur in women.

People who do not move around much and who sit for long periods are more likely to develop pilonidal cysts. Those with thick or stiff hair can also be more likely to have ingrown hair that can cause a pilonidal cyst.

Signs and Symptoms of Pilonidal Cysts

Pilonidal cysts can appear as tiny pimples at the top of your buttocks and gradually increase in size. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain and tenderness
  • Inflammation
  • Pus discharge and fever if the cyst is infected

Diagnosing Pilonidal Cysts

how to diagnose pilonidal cysts?

Your dermatologist can diagnose a pilonidal cyst simply by observing or touching the bump. In some cases, they may ask you to undergo an MRI or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for Pilonidal Cysts

Treatment for pilonidal cysts depends on the severity of your condition and the symptoms. Most doctors will follow this treatment plan:

1. Maintaining proper hygiene

Your doctor will advise you to keep the area around the cyst clean and to use a hair removal cream to avoid ingrown hairs. In some cases, the cyst may resolve on its own in a few weeks. (14)(15)

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2. Antibiotic treatment

Your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic course for a week or two. This can help treat mild infection and inflammation. (16)

3. Surgery

A pilonidal cyst that does not heal on its own or keeps on recurring may require surgical removal. The surgery is a simple procedure and can be performed easily, but complete recovery may take a few months. (17)

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Pilonidal Cysts

lifestyle changes that can help prevent pilonidal cysts

If your daily routine requires you to sit in one place for long hours at a time, make sure to take short breaks once in a while to stretch and walk.

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Maintaining proper hygiene is also key to preventing bacterial infections.

Most-Asked Questions About Pilonidal Cysts

Can I pop a tailbone cyst at home?

No. You should not try to pop a cyst by yourself as it can cause severe infection.

What ointment is good for a pilonidal cyst?

Metronidazole antibiotic ointment is the most frequently prescribed topical treatment for pilonidal cysts.

Can I use DMSO for pilonidal cysts?

Some people suggest using DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) can help heal pilonidal cysts faster. However, this has not been proven by scientific studies.

Final Word

Pilonidal cysts can be an annoying and painful problem to go through. You can try some of the home remedies given above to alleviate your discomfort. It is highly recommended to seek medical treatment for pilonidal cysts and to ask for your dermatologist’s approval before applying anything to the cyst.

References
  1. Dwivedi AP. Management of pilonidal sinus by Kshar Sutra, a minimally invasive treatment. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(2):122-123. doi:10.4103/0974-7788.64408.
  2. Nixon AT, Garza RF. Pilonidal Cyst And Sinus. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557770/.
  3. Silverberg B. A Structured Approach to Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) in an Ambulatory Setting. Clin Pract. 2021;11(1):65-74. Published 2021 Feb 1. doi:10.3390/clinpract11010011.
  4. Lu M, Dai T, Murray CK, Wu MX. Bactericidal Property of Oregano Oil Against Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates [published correction appears in Front Microbiol. 2021 Jul 12;12:713573]. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2329. Published 2018 Oct 5. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02329.
  5. Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x.
  6. Al-Mamun MA, Akter Z, Uddin MJ, et al. Characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of crude protein extracts isolated from the seed of Ricinus communis in Bangladesh. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:211. Published 2016 Jul 12. doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1185-y.
  7. Thomas M, Hamdan M, Hailes S, Walker M. Manuka honey as an effective treatment for chronic pilonidal sinus wounds. J Wound Care. 2011;20(11):528-533. doi:10.12968/jowc.2011.20.11.528.
  8. Shenefelt PD. Herbal Treatment for Dermatologic Disorders. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 18. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/.
  9. Teplicki E, Ma Q, Castillo DE, et al. The Effects of Aloe vera on Wound Healing in Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Viability. Wounds. 2018;30(9):263-268.
  10. Tripathy R, John NS, Vijayalekshmi S, Nair NA, Pasupalan S. Taila Dāha (Cauterization with Oil) an Innovative Approach in Pilonidal Sinus. Anc Sci Life. 2016;36(2):104-109. doi:10.4103/asl.ASL_30_16.
  11. Flurry MD, Herring KL, Carr LW, Hauck RM, Potochny JD. Salve and Burdock: A Safe, Effective Amish Remedy for Treatment of Traumatic Wounds?. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2017;30(5):213-217. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000515079.07160.e3.
  12. Akhila KS, Gopi S. Chapter 1 turmeric – the miraculous herb from ancient India and its historical background. Royal Society of Chemistry. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/chapterhtml/2020/bk9781788015554-00001?isbn=978-1-78801-555-4&sercode=bk.
  13. Pilonidal-disease. Pilonidal disease | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pilonidal-disease.
  14. Balcı S, Onur MR, Karaosmanoğlu AD, et al. MRI evaluation of anal and perianal diseases. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2019;25(1):21-27. doi:10.5152/dir.2018.17499.
  15. Parpoudi SN, Kyziridis DS, Patridas DCh, et al. Is histological examination necessary when excising a pilonidal cyst?. Am J Case Rep. 2015;16:164-168. Published 2015 Mar 21. doi:10.12659/AJCR.892843.
  16. Khanna A, Rombeau JL. Pilonidal disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):46-53. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272823.
  17. Iesalnieks I, Ommer A. The Management of Pilonidal Sinus. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(1-2):12-21. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0012.
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