A hair cyst, also called a sinus, is an inflammation of the tissue under the skin. It usually develops in the gap between the buttocks. Troublesome changes most often appear at the level of the coccyx or sacrum. Most often, this inflammation is caused by bacteria that are naturally found on the skin.

What does a hair cyst look like?

Hair cyst (hair sinus, cellulitis)is a little-known but distressing condition. It mainly affects men who do not care for hygiene, lead a sedentary lifestyle, are obese or sweat excessively.

The hair cyst is most often located in the buttock gap, at the level of the coccyx or sacrum. It can be felt during daily hygiene - it is a lump that moves when touched.

They can also develop on the nape of the neck (near the hairline) or on the cheeks. Self-removal (squeezing) usually results in the formation of a permanent scar on the skin in the form of its permanent blue. Poorly treated cysts leave unsightly cavities in the skin.

Hair cyst: causes

How is a hair cyst formed? In the absence of hygiene, the bacteria penetrate the hair follicle, where they multiply fairly quickly. Equally often, the cause of infection are anaerobic bacteria, which also penetrate the hair follicle and cause local inflammation.

Apart from external causes of ailments, there are also internal causes. People with chronic metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, are at risk of cyst formation. Another group are men with reduced immunity, e.g. due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

Hair cysts also occur in people who are immobilized for a long time and have limited possibilities of daily bathing.

Hair cyst: symptoms

The hair cyst doesn't hurt at first. However, it may become inflamed, which is the body's reaction to the presence of bacteria. To fight them, it collects white blood cells in one place. After contact with them, some bacteria die. But their debris, combined with the tissues, is the material for the production of pus. This one comes out.

The substances it contains irritate the nerve endings, which causes pain.

The skin is then swollen and very red. If there are several or one large cysts, a general infection may develop, accompanied by fever and unpleasant chills.

Hair cyst: surgical treatment

  • Sometimes the cyst opens by itself and leaks out content. More often, however, it is necessary to incision it, after local anesthesia of the skin. This is usually done by injecting the cyst with lignocaine.
  • The next stage of treatment is a very thorough rinsing of the wound (often in the form of a crater) with a solution with bactericidal and disinfecting properties.
  • If the hair cyst was large in size, it may be necessary to surgically remove the infected tissue around it.
  • When a patient is diabetic or has a weakened immune system, he must take antibiotics after the procedure. Any cyst that forms in the butt joint should be examined and treated by a surgeon. This is important because similar changes may be a symptom of developing tuberculosis or Crohn's disease.

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Dermatology