Section Navigation

Take Me To:

Pilonidal Education & Research Index Page

Basic overview of Pilonidal

A pilonidal is an abscess that forms in the buttock cleft as a result of an infected pore, called a pit.  As the infection progresses, Pilonidal Disease can sometimes form tracts beneath the skin called sinuses.  The disease takes a number of forms, from extremely mild to severe.  There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to the development of a Pilonidal Abscess, which are covered in more detail on the How You Got It page. 

Pilonidal Disease is possibly one the most embarrassing non-emergency medical conditions to acquire as it can involve smelly discharge, discomfort while sitting, and extreme pain in an area of the body that most of us tend to not enjoy discussing. 

Most people have their first discovery of a Pilonidal when they experience excruciating pain due to acute infection.  Luckier individuals will first notice sinus openings or mildly painful lumps when washing, or might possibly experience some odorous drainage.  If you are experiencing pain in the tailbone or drainage, our Diagnostics page might help you self-diagnose (keep in mind that self-diagnosis is not a replacement for diagnosis by a medical professional.)

Most cases of Pilonidal Disease require surgical intervention; it is possible for cases to resolve themselves, but it should not be counted on once the abscess has entered the acute infection stage. Pilonidals can also go dormant for lengthy periods of time if there is no debris or hair that activates the immune system into a foreign body response. 

Pilonidal sinuses can look strikingly similar to Sacral Dimples that are found in approximately 2% of newborn babies. The two issues have entirely different causes, which we explain more fully on our Pediatrics page.

There is, course, a great deal more information about Pilonidal Disease and we invite to explore the rest of the education section for more in-depth information.

Product Description Seperater

This page last updated: 08/21/2010

Pilonidal Sinuses

A sinus is a cavity in any organ or tissue. In the case of Pilonidals, a sinus forms as a chronically infected tract between the Pilonidal Abscess and the skin. Most sinuses are found in the midline as a result of exploded follicles, although in some severe cases, sinuses can form along the sides and top of the buttocks. It is important that sinuses be excised surgically or layed open to heal because they provide access below the skin for foreign bodies such as hair, clothing lint and other debris that instigate infection.

Tooltip content goes here.

Sacral Dimples

A small hole located just above or between the buttocks - usually found in babies. The name comes from the sacrum, the bone at the end of the spine, over which the dimples are found. More than 2% of babies may have such dimples; almost all of these are very minor. May be related to Spina Bifidia Occulta and should be checked by a doctor.

Sinus, Sinuses (Pilonidal)

A sinus is a cavity in any organ or tissue. In the case of Pilonidals, a sinus forms as a chronically infected tract between the Pilonidal Abscess and the skin. Most sinuses are found in the midline as a result of exploded follicles, although in some severe cases, sinuses can form along the sides and top of the buttocks.

It is important that sinuses be excised surgically or layed open to heal because they provide access below the skin for foreign bodies such as hair, clothing lint and other debris that instigate infection.

Buttock Cleft

or "Natal Cleft" is the groove or crack between the buttocks that runs from just below the sacrum to the perineum, so named because it forms the visible border between the external rounded protrusions of the Gluteus maximus muscles.

Also referred to as the "Intergluteal Cleft", "Midline", or the more common "butt crack".

Abscess

An abscess is an enclosed collection of liquefied tissue, known as pus, somewhere in the body. It is the result of the body's defensive reaction to foreign material.