Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Pilonidal Cyst

Pilonidal Cyst refers to the formation of a cyst at the cleft of the buttocks near the tailbone. Pilonidal term means ‘nest of the hair’. The pilonidal cyst contains hair and skin debris. It develops when hair penetrates the skin due to friction, and the body, considering it to be a foreign substance, forms a cyst around it. The cyst can get infected, get filled with pus, and form an abscess. A pilonidal sinus is formed when a tract begins from the infected cyst, and opens on the surface of the skin. Under the conventional mode of treatment, a surgical incision of the Pilonidal Cyst is advised (which is painful, and temporary, and the cyst can recur even after surgery). Homeopathic medicines for pilonidal cyst is a safe and efficient alternative treatment option. These medicines treat Pilonidal Cysts in a very safe, gentle, and effective manner, and prevent the need for surgical procedures.

Homeopathic Treatment 

Homeopathic medicines follow a curative approach to treat Pilonidal Cysts, rather than just providing relief from the symptoms. These help in dissolving the cyst. These medicines are made from natural substances and raise the body’s self-healing powers to fight the infection naturally. They help manage symptoms like pain, swelling, itching, and discomfort. Homeopathy for Pilonidal Cyst also helps in absorbing the pus discharge from the Pilonidal sinus.

Homeopathic Medicines for Pilonidal Cyst / Sinus

Among a long therapeutic list for treating Pilonidal Cysts, the top-rated homeopathic medicines are Silicea, Myristica, Hepar Sulph, and Merc Sol.

1. Silicea – Top Remedy For Pilonidal Cyst

Silicea is the top recommended medicine for Pilonidal Cyst. It is usually the physician’s first choice of medicine to deal with these cases.  This medicine is helpful when a cyst is present in the buttock cleft, and also in the case of the pilonidal sinus with pus discharge. The pus discharge may be very offensive and fetid. The pus can be scanty or copious. The pus can be thin, watery, or thick, jelly and sticky in nature. Hardness, and swelling at the cleft of the buttock is also present. Itching also appears mostly in the daytime. Silicea helps reduce swelling and aids in the expulsion of hair and pus from the cyst.

2. Myristica Sebifera – For Pilonidal Sinus With Pus Discharge

‘Myristica Sebifera’ is of unquestionable value when it comes to treating pilonidal sinus with pus discharge. The most important action of this medicine is to hasten the process of suppuration (pus formation) and aids in complete recovery. Myristica speeds up pus discharge from sinus and shortens the time of complete recovery. Its use prevents surgical intervention in most cases of pilonidal sinus. Apart from Pilonidal Cysts, Myristica works wonders in treating suppurative diseases like boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and anal fistula.

3. Hepar Sulph – For Pilonidal Cyst With Pain And Pus Formation

Hepar Sulph is medicine for Pilonidal Cyst when there is pain in the cyst along with the formation of pus from an infection. However, the pus isn’t in the stage of oozing yet. The pain is throbbing, beating, stinging, or pricking in nature. ‘Hepar Sulph’ will aid the drainage of pus from the cyst. Once pus begins to come out there is relief from pain. Mostly pus discharge is watery and blood-stained. There is an offensive odour, like old cheese from the pus. The skin above the cyst is highly inflamed, and hot. It is also very sensitive and sore to the touch. In the majority of cases, the pain gets worse at night. Exposure to cold air also worsens the pain in some cases.

4. Calcarea Sulph – For Pilonidal Cyst With Yellow Pus

Calcarea Sulph is effective for Pilonidal Cyst when pus discharge has started to ooze from an opening. The pus is yellow in colour. The discharge is thick, and lumpy and may be bloody in some cases. ‘Calcarea Sulph’ helps to hasten pus discharge and aid the effective healing of the cyst.

5. Calendula – For Painful Pilonidal Cyst And Pus Discharge

Calendula is a natural herbal homeopathic medicine that can be administered when the infected area over the buttock cleft is sore, and painful with pus discharge. One feels pain as if the affected area has suffered beating. The area surrounding the pus discharge point is red. There may be a fever with stinging pain in the cyst. Complaints become worse at night. It is a great healing agent that heals skin infections with marked brilliance.

6. Merc Sol – For Pus Discharge With Burning, Stinging Pain

Merc Sol is medicine for Pilonidal Cyst with the pus releasing from the cyst accompanied by burning and stinging pains. The pus discharge is profuse, green-coloured, and may be blood-stained and sticky. The affected area is sore, and painful to touch. Itching may also be present. An increased amount of offensive sweat on the body is present. The symptoms worsen at night, and warmth tends to aggravate all these symptoms.

 7. Phosphorus – For Pilonidal Cyst with Bloody Discharge

Phosphorus is medicine for Pilonidal Cyst treatment when there is a bloody discharge from the cyst. The blood is thin and profuse. Burning in the surrounding skin may also appear. Phosphorus is an excellent anti-hemorrhagic remedy. It helps in controlling the bloody discharge, and also contributes towards healing the ‘Pilonidal Sinus.’ It is also useful in cases where healing has taken place in the past, and the problem has arisen again with a bloody discharge. It is also indicated in those cases where the Pilonidal Cyst has colourless and fetid pus.

8. Lycopodium Clavatum – For Milky-white Pus Discharge

‘Lycopodium Clavatum’ is a medicine for ‘Pilonidal Cyst’ where there is a milky white pus discharge. The discharge has a putrid smell and it corrodes. Burning, and stitching pain is felt in the affected area. Warmth worsens the complaint. Fever alternates with chills, and heat may also arise. It is also indicated when the cyst recurs periodically and does not get treated.

Signs and Symptoms of Pilonidal Cyst / Sinus

Sometimes Pilonidal Cysts do not give out any signs/symptoms. However, if it gets infected following signs and symptoms may appear:

1. A dimple or swelling, and pain in the cleft of the buttocks. The size of the cyst may be small or large. Though the cleft of the buttocks is the major location where ‘Pilonidal Cyst’ forms, rarely it may form in some other areas as well like the armpit, between fingers, navel, cheek, or genital area.

2. When this dimple gets infected a cyst is formed(a fluid-filled sac) that may turn into an abscess (pus-filled lump)

3. Redness, itching, and tenderness in the swollen area

4. A discomfort while sitting also arises from this cyst

5. Formation of sinus tract/holes in the skin. The sinus tract is a channel that starts from the source of infection and opens on the surface of the skin. Drainage of pus or blood from the ‘Pilonidal Sinus.’ The pus may be white or yellow or may have an offensive odour

6. Hair protruding from the affected area may be seen

7. Nausea, tiredness, and low-grade fever may also appear along with the above features in some cases.

Pilonidal Cyst And Its Causes

The exact cause of the Pilonidal Cyst is not clear. But a theory states that initially, loose hair penetrates the skin of the cleft between the buttocks. Friction (as from riding a bicycle) or rubbing makes the hair go deep into the skin. The body, considering this hair to be a foreign article, forms a cyst around it to push it out from the skin. If left untreated this cyst may lead to an abscess (pus-filled lump) or it may break open, and form a tract that emerges on the surface of the skin (which is called a Pilonidal Sinus). However, as per another theory, the trauma to the area between the buttocks is what may create this cyst.

Risk factors

Though anyone can get a ‘Pilonidal Cyst’ but there are certain factors that increase the risk of a Pilonidal Cyst as follows:

1. Excessive body hair (especially thick and stiff) on the back

2. Inactive lifestyle, excessive sitting (as office workers, drivers) that puts pressure on the coccyx area

3. Obesity

4. The age group most prone to developing a Pilonidal Cyst is between 20 – 35 years

5. Pilonidal Sinus is more common in men compared to women. Men are three to four times more likely to get Pilonidal Cyst as compared to women.

6. Having a family history of Pilonidal Cyst (if thick, rough body hair runs in family)

7. Having congenital Pilonidal dimple

8. Excessive sweating

Complications Of Pilonidal Cyst

The main complication of a Pilonidal Cyst is getting infection in the cyst. Secondly, if left untreated the sufferer may be at risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Diagnosis

Pilonidal Cyst can be easily diagnosed by having a look at the buttock cleft area. So usually no investigations are required to confirm the diagnosis of Pilonidal Cyst.

Preventive measures

1. Keep the buttock area clean, and dry

2. Avoid sitting constantly for prolonged hours if possible

3. If obese consider losing weight

4. Shave the hair around the buttocks at regular intervals or use some hair removal products to remove excessive hair.