|
Pilonidal
disease is an infection caused by a hair that injures the skin at
the top of the cleft between the buttocks.
A pilonidal abscess is a collection of pus at the infection site. A pilonidal sinus is a chronic draining wound at the site.
Pilonidal disease usually occurs in young, hairy, white men but can also occur in women. A pilonidal sinus can cause pain and swelling. To distinguish pilonidal disease from other infections, a doctor looks for pits—tiny holes in or next to the infected area.
Generally, a pilonidal abscess must be cut and drained by a doctor. Usually, a pilonidal sinus must be removed surgically.
Last full review/revision October 2007 by Parswa Ansari, MD; Norman Sohn, MD
| 
