Infected Hair Follicle

Libertine2002

Hi guys,

I've been suffering for about 10 years with an infected hair follicle around my lower back (OK, arse crack!). I was surprised to discover that lots of my friends either have it or have had it at some stage, same place, same symptoms. I went to the doctor and was told it was very common. The operation (in my case at least) would be very severe and painful and the doctor recommended I not get it done if I could live with the pain of the infection. Basically, surgery would be my worst case scenario. He also said that it usually clears up naturally before a patient turns 30 but all my friends with the condition are 30 plus and I even have an Uncle in his 50's who suffers really badly with it. Can anyone share their experiences because as common as this is, people are very shy to talk about it. Any tips on how to stop/hide the bleeding, how to keep it clean, effective pain relief etc. I think a lot of members here could benefit from this discussion if its as common as it seems.

(Sorry I can't remember the medical name for the condition so hopefully my description of it will do!)

brendanuk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

had the operation when i was 26ish. was no problem in for 1 night i think.
hasnt come back.

Libertine2002

brendanuk wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst

had the operation when i was 26ish. was no problem in for 1 night i think.
hasnt come back.

That sounds much different to the horror story my GP told me! He said that I could be "lying face down for a week" That the procedure would be very painful and I'd miss a lot of work! Does any of that sound familiar?

PirateShampoo

Theres nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. Maybe take a trip to ur local specialist.

Nevyn

If you are not happy with what your dr is saying then get a second opinion.

brendanuk

Suppose it depends on how bad it is. Think i had mine for maybe 2 years and wasnt veery big maybe size of my thumb.

i was under for the operation and morphined up for rest of day. Its in awkward place so for me was just having nurse round to check the stiches. Cant remember being in pain other than having the stiches and being uncomfortable.

It was about 15 years ago so sorry if i am abit vague. Dont remember it being traumatic though

mountain

have a look at this, http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055145515

plenty of people sharing similar complaint,
hope this helps.

LegacyUser

Had this operation in 2000 after suffering for four years. Turned out it can be very serious-seen the consultant on wednesday on was operated on the following monday. Not bad as a public patient.

Spent a few days in hospital on morepine and after that daily trips to the dressings clinic for about two weeks. Fully healed and back to work after four weeks.

I would definetly reccomend it to anyone as the pain can be horrendus at times and I can honestly say it hasn't cost me a thought in nine years.

LegacyUser

my brother is just in the process of recovering from the treatment of pilonidal sinus in the exact same place! its been tough going for him ..Hairdressers are prone to pilonidal sinus because of how sharp hairs are. Have you under gone any surgeries for it?

Zillah

Ok, I know nothing about this subject, but if you're talking about something painful and gross that is likely to go on for years, just bite the bullet, put up with a week or two of recovery and leave it all behind. Get a second opinion at least.

pookie82

Take it from someone who suffered with this for three years - have the surgery. Yes it's incredibly painful and the recovery can take a while, and it's notorious for recurring so if you're very unlucky you my have to have two bouts of surgery to get rid of it. But I can't understand any doctor telling anyone to try and live with it to avoid an operation which may heal you for good. If it's constantly sore, bleeding and infected it is NOT worth the trade off of living with it as opposed to getting it sorted out. I needed four operations to rid me of this but I'm told that's very very rare. I know two or three other people who got rid of it in one and would never go back. It's very very common but not much talked about because of its usual location!!!

See a different GP and ask to have it excised. You'll be much happier living without the burden of such a painful and intrusive ailment. The pain after surgery is not much worse than the pain of letting it get more infected and at least you'll be given medication to help you with it in hospital. My advice is to have the surgery.

Forgot to say, feel free to PM me if you have any questions - I know all about this one unfortunately.

Jack B. Badd

I had an infected pilonidal sinus a few times when I was in my teens - apparently falling off a horse and landing on your arse isn't good for you. Fortunately it hasn't recurred within the past few years. I was advised by my GP at the time not to get the surgery done unless it recurred constantly. He had surgery done and apparently the recovery is a bitch.

Toots

I've had one since I was 19, had surgery to remove it in 2005, overnight job in Vincent's Private and then in to the dressing clinic every morning for 2 weeks. They showed my mum how to pack and dress it so she did it for me after that. Was grand for about 9 months and now it's back again. It comes and goes, and when it's here it's quite painful. However I'm terrified of hospitals so don't want to go unless it gets bad again.

I find driving long distances irritates it. One thing I find is good is to give my lower back a good scrub with a bath brush in the shower every day, helps stop any other little hair follicles turning inside out and getting infected. I had to see a consultant colorectologist for my surgery. Might be a good idea to see an expert on the case to see if surgery would be a good option for you.

phelixoflaherty

Had it once. Got antibiotics off the doctor and it cleared. Returned again and did the same. The cure sounded brutal. Might be pure coincidence but I had a big dose of gin and tonic one night and it never came back. Fingers crossed

cadogs

That must be a right pain in the arse!

Kenno90

PirateShampoo wrote: »

Theres nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. Maybe take a trip to ur local specialist.

Have to agree here, ask another docter, i think the one you went to might be pulling youe leg

Zaph

cadogs wrote: »

That must be a right pain in the arse!

cadogs, may I remind you of the rules regarding unhelpful posts in this forum. If you're unfamiliar with them I suggest you read the charter before posting again.

candy19

Yea I have the same problem... every three to four weeks I end up on an antibiotic because of an infection in the wound.. I travel alot every week which I know doesn't help matters but it's unavoidable... My Doctor mentioned on my first of many visits about an operation to get it removed but said 'its not a decision to be taken likely as the recovery can be very painful..I'm in a catch 22 situation as I've had this for so long and is very uncomfortable but is it worth the operation.

Libertine2002

Ah give him a break, I had a giggle at that one myself!

Libertine2002

cadogs wrote: »

That must be a right pain in the arse!

....that one!

Libertine2002

Unregistered wrote: »

my brother is just in the process of recovering from the treatment of pilonidal sinus in the exact same place! its been tough going for him ..Hairdressers are prone to pilonidal sinus because of how sharp hairs are. Have you under gone any surgeries for it?

A lot of people will cringe at this but I've been doing my own little operations every time it flares up! Just to drain it.

After reading some of these I think a second (third actually) opinion is needed.

Incidentally, I find epsom salts in the bath helps to drain it but be prepared for a gory aftermath! (Sorry I'll stop with the cringeworthy stuff now!)

Libertine2002

phelixoflaherty wrote: »

Had it once. Got antibiotics off the doctor and it cleared. Returned again and did the same. The cure sounded brutal. Might be pure coincidence but I had a big dose of gin and tonic one night and it never came back. Fingers crossed

How long have you been clear of any infections? About 6-9 months is the longest I've gone in about 9 years without a recurrence. Like yourself I use antibiotics when it gets particularly painful.

chiefwiggum

my bro had this operation and was quite embarrassed by it..then when he got talkin to ppl he couldnt believe how common it was..everyone seemed to have had it or a family member had ..his follicle was right on his arse crack so after the op he had to have a shower after each s**t just to make sure he was keepin it clean enough... he was outta work for about a month but is 100 percent now..