Pilonidal cysts can affect people of any age. Even teens suffer from this disease and experience pain. So, how do you know that your teens have pilonidal cyst infection? Do they need surgery to get cured? Let us talk more about pilonidal cysts in teenagers.
Pilonidal sinus or cyst is a condition, which has several teens and children. Sinuses are unnatural, small tracts appearing in the tissue at the buttock’s top. Some common infection symptoms are pain, swelling, and redness. The condition also causes the discharge of pus or blood from the opening. The discharge is a fluid with a foul odor.
Why do teens have pilonidal cyst infection?
Researchers have not yet found the exact reason for which teens have pilonidal disorder. However, hair growth near your buttock’s cleft is one of the main pilonidal cyst causes. It results in the formation of a cavity, and your skin tissue will feel irritated. Some professionals think that your skin is pierced by the hair. As the hair follicle undergoes inflammation, you experience different symptoms.
Dead skin, dirt, bits of hair, oil, and any foreign particles get into the cavity. Moreover, the accumulation of bacteria results in infection.
Gender and age of patients with pilonidal cysts
If teens or people of any age have coarse hair near the buttocks, they have a risk of pilonidal sinuses. On the other hand, people with comparatively no hair or finer hair in the part have a low risk of pilonidal disease. Especially during puberty, the hairs of teens are more prolific and coarser.
That is why pediatric patients whose ages are between 12 and 19 years. Adolescent patients of around 15 years often undergo pilonidal cyst surgery. However, the pilonidal condition is more common in men than in women.
Other potential factors causing pilonidal cysts
Obesity or being overweight is the biggest factor that increases the risk of suffering from pilonidal disorder. Those who have a sedentary lifestyle may also have this issue. But, this factor is not applicable to teens.
The BMI and the sedentary lifestyle are not the primary factors for teens affected with pilonidal cysts. Instead, the frequency of their baths makes a difference in the potential to suffer from the condition. Moreover, hereditary factors play a role in determining whether you will have a pilonidal cyst. For instance, if your parents or other family members have pilonidal disease, you may have the same condition during your teenage years.
Best treatment options for teens with pilonidal sinus
Not every teenager will need surgical treatments for pilonidal cysts. If infection has not affected the sinus, it is enough to monitor the condition. You can wait until you find an infection. Some physicians want to remove build ups from the cavity. If antibiotics do not work as a remedy, they will consider other treatments. Laser surgery is a better option as it ensures a faster recovery.
So, you can look for the best specialist to start your treatment for pilonidal cyst infection.
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