Pilonidal cysts affect the buttock crease. It is a chronic skin infection that occurs in that area. These cysts are a reaction to the ingrown hairs that are likely to be embedded in the skin. These cysts can be painful and can cause discomfort. However, with this set of home remedies for pilonidal cysts, you can take care of your situation in no time.
Suggested read: 10 Natural Home Remedies For Ganglion Cysts To Make Them Go Away Immediately
Cause of pilonidal cysts
What exactly causes pilonidal cysts is still unknown; however, according to experts, loose hairs which penetrate the skin in the buttock crease cause these cysts. Since the hair is a foreign substance, the immune response of the skin causes a cyst in that area. Apart from this, any similar trauma to the buttock area can lead to the formation of a pilonidal cyst.
When a cyst develops in the area, initially it is just a small depression that resembles a dimple. Once the develops an infection, it turns into a swollen mass that contains pus. With the formation of puss, the cyst begins to hurt a lot.
Symptoms of pilonidal cysts
The most common symptoms of pilonidal cysts include,
- Pain
- Discomfort while standing or sitting
- Inflammation of the skin,
- Pus formation
- Drainage of pus
- Drainage of blood in the area
- Foul smell from the pus
Symptoms of fever or even nausea might follow in case the infection worsens.
Risk factors of pilonidal cysts
The risk of developing pilonidal cysts is higher among men than women. Also, people who are obese run a greater risk of developing these cysts. Men and women with thick and excessive body hair also develop pilonidal cysts quite regularly.
A job that requires you to sit in one position for a long time, might also contribute to this skin condition.
Home remedies for pilonidal cysts
Here are the best home remedies that you can try for pilonidal cysts.
1. Warm Compresses
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Formation of pilonidal cysts causes great discomfort and pain. To alleviate this pain, try applying warm compresses to the area.
Applying warm compress will also help you drain out the pus and the fluid from the swollen mass, which in turn, will speed up the recovery process.
This remedy will, nonetheless, not help you prevent the development of these cysts.
For the remedy, heat a cup of water. Now soak a clean and soft wash cloth in this water, and wring out the excess. Place the cloth on the cysts for at least 5 minutes. Repeat this remedy 4 times a day for quick recovery.
If you want, you can also take a sitz bath hasten the process of draining out the pus and blood.
Alternatively, you can take a hot sitz bath or rinse the area with warm water for a few minutes.
2. Tea Tree Oil
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To alleviate the pain and the discomfort caused by the cysts, you can also try tea tree oil. This essential oil has therapeutic properties which will come in handy when treating pilonidal cysts. The oil is antibacterial, antifungal and also anti-inflammatory. As a result, the oil will not only treat your cysts, but also ensure that they are prevented in the future.
For the remedy, you need to first dilute the oil since it can wreak havoc on sensitive skin when used in raw form. Dilute the oil with water in the ratio 1:10, and apply the solution on the infected area. Leave it on for 10-odd minutes, after which rinse the area with lukewarm water. Using a clean and soft cloth, pat the area dry.
This remedy should be repeated thrice a day until the cysts heal completely.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
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Next remedy on our list is apple cider vinegar. This contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help treat the inflammation and the pain associated with the cysts.
Apple cider vinegar is also antiseptic and antibacterial, which prevents the growth and spread of the bacteria, thus treating the infection and preventing other areas from getting infected.
For the remedy, you need to dilute the apple cider vinegar by adding three teaspoons of it in half a cup of water. Make sure the water is warm. Now soak a clean cotton ball in this diluted solution and apply it on the affected area.
This remedy should be repeated four times a day for a few days.
Suggested read: 14 Natural Home Remedies For Boils That Are Really Effective
4. Epsom Salt
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To heal the pain, and quickly treat the cysts, try Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which will make it easier for you to drain out the cyst. Once you get rid of the pus, you will almost instantly feel relief from the pain and the discomfort.
The salt also takes care of the inflammation involved.
For the remedy, you need to heat two cups of water. Now add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to this hot water. Let the salt granules dissolve completely, and when the water is comfortable warm, dip a cotton ball in the water, and place it on the cysts. You need to keep repeating this for half an hour.
Repeat the remedy, four times a day until the condition is completely healed.
You can, alternatively, take an Epsom salt bath to treat your condition.
5. Castor Oil
The next remedy on our list of natural treatments for pilonidal cysts is castor oil. Since castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it will alleviate your pain, discomfort, and help treat the condition quickly.
For the remedy, you need to first heat some castor oil. Now soak a clean cotton ball in this warm oil, and apply it on the infected area. Using a bandage, secure the cotton. Leave it on for a few hours and repeat. Use a new cotton ball each time to heal the infection quickly.
6. Garlic
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To treat pilonidal cysts, try garlic, which owing to its antibiotic properties, will treat the condition effectively and quickly.
Garlic is also antifungal, so it will not only prevent the infection from spreading, it will also prevent the condition from reappearing in the future. Garlic, if taken internally, can strengthen the immune system, and give your body the power to fight infection.
For the remedy, all you have to do is take a garlic clove, and crush it with a knife. Apply the clove on the affected area, and cover it with a gauze. Leave the crushed clove on for a few minutes, and then wash the area with cold water. Pat the area dry, with a soft and clean washcloth.
The remedy must be repeated once every day until the condition is completely healed.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is very well-known for its therapeutic properties. The gel that you extract from the leaf of an aloe vera helps reduce pain and discomfort, both of which are common symptoms associated with pilonidal cysts.
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. So it will also prevent infection from spreading to other areas.
For the remedy, you need to cut an aloe vera leaf, length-wise, and scoop out the gel using a spoon. Now apply the gel on the infected skin. Leave it on for about 20-odd minutes, and wash the area with lukewarm water.
This remedy must be repeated three times a day until the condition is totally healed.
You can also soak a cotton ball in the gel and after five minutes, apply it on the affected area. Using a bandage, secure the cotton ball, and leave it on for half an hour. The remedy should be repeated every four hours for a week or as long as it takes for the condition to heal completely.
Suggested read: Natural Remedies To Treat Your Cystic Acne
8. Turmeric
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The curcumin in turmeric makes it a fantastic remedy for pilonidal cysts. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and as a result, it will treat the swelling and the irritation caused by the cysts.
The antiseptic nature of turmeric makes it a great natural treatment for any kind of infection.
For the remedy, mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder with some water. For a paste, and apply it on the infected area. Leave it on until it dries on its own. Now clean the area with lukewarm water.
The remedy must be repeated two to three times a day until your cysts disappear completely.
9. Black Tea Bags
The last remedy on our list is black tea bags. Black tea being acidic in nature, prevents cysts from getting worse. It also helps prevent infections.
Black tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which provide relief to the pain and the swelling associated with pilonidal cysts.
For the remedy, you need to first heat a cup of water. Dip a black tea bag in this hot water for five minutes. Now remove the bag and place it on the infected area for about ten minutes.
This remedy should be repeated a couple of times a day until the condition is treated.
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for pilonidal cysts. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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