Pilonidal cysts affect the buttock crease. It is a chronic skin infection that occurs in that area. These cysts are a reaction to the ingrown hairs which are likely to be embedded in the skin. These cysts can be painful and can cause discomfort. However, with this set of home remedies for pilonidal cysts, you can take care of your situation in no time.
Cause of pilonidal cysts
What exactly causes pilonidal cysts is still unknown; however, according to experts, loose hairs which penetrate the skin in the buttock crease cause these cysts. Because the hair is a foreign substance, the immune response of your skin causes a cyst in that area. Apart from this, any similar trauma towards the buttock area can lead to the formation of a pilonidal cyst.
When a cyst develops in the region, initially it is just a small depression that resembles a dimple. When the develops an infection, it becomes a swollen mass that contains pus. Using the formation of puss, the cyst starts to hurt a lot.
Symptoms of pilonidal cysts
The most common symptoms of pilonidal cysts include,
- Pain
- Discomfort while standing or sitting
- Inflammation of your skin,
- Pus formation
- Drainage of pus
- Drainage of blood in the area
- Foul smell from the pus
Symptoms of fever or perhaps nausea might follow in case the infection worsens.
Risk factors of pilonidal cysts
The risk of developing pilonidal cysts is higher among men than women. Also, those who are obese run a greater risk of developing these cysts. Women and men with thick and excessive body hair also develop pilonidal cysts quite regularly.
A job that requires you to sit in one position for a long time, might also contribute to this skin ailment.
Home remedies for pilonidal cysts
Here are the best home remedies that you can try for pilonidal cysts.
1. Warm Compresses
Formation of pilonidal cysts causes great pain. To alleviate this pain, put warm compresses to the area.
Applying warm compress will even help you drain out the pus and the fluid from the swollen mass, which in turn, will speed up the process of recovery.
This remedy will, nonetheless, not assist you to prevent the development of these cysts.
For the remedy, heat a cup of water. Now soak a clear and soft wash cloth within this water, and wring out the excess. Place the cloth on the cysts for at least 5 minutes. Repeat this remedy 4 times a day for convenient recovery.
If you want, you can also take a sitz bath hasten the process of draining the pus and blood.
Alternatively, you can have a hot sitz bath or rinse the area with warm water for a few minutes.
2. Tea Tree Oil
To alleviate the pain sensation and the discomfort caused by the cysts, you may also try tea tree oil. This acrylic has therapeutic properties which will come in handy when treating pilonidal cysts. The oil is antibacterial, antifungal and also anti-inflammatory. As a result, the oil won't treat your cysts, but additionally ensure that they are prevented in the future.
For the remedy, you need to first dilute the oil since it can wreak havoc on sensitive skin when used in raw form. Dilute the oil with water in the ratio 1:10, and use the solution on the infected area. Leave it on for 10-odd minutes, then rinse the area with lukewarm water. Using a clean and soft cloth, pat the area dry.
This remedy should be repeated thrice a day until the cysts heal completely.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Next remedy on our list is apple cider vinegar. This contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help treat the inflammation and the pain linked to the cysts.
Apple cider vinegar is also antiseptic and antibacterial, which prevents the development and spread of the bacteria, thus treating the problem and preventing other areas from getting infected.
For the remedy, you need to dilute the apple cider vinegar with the addition of three teaspoons of it in two a cup of water. Make sure the water is warm. Now soak a clear cotton ball in this diluted solution and apply it on the affected area.
This remedy ought to be repeated four times a day for a few days.
4. Epsom Salt
To heal the pain, and quickly treat the cysts, try Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which will make it easier for you to drain out the cyst. When you are rid of the pus, you will almost instantly feel relief from the pain and the discomfort.
The salt also protects the inflammation involved.
For the remedy, you need to heat two cups of water. Now add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to this hot water. Let the salt granules dissolve completely, so when the water is comfortable warm, dip a cotton pad in the water, and place it on the cysts. You need to keep repeating this for half an hour.
Repeat the remedy, four times a day until the condition is completely healed.
You can, alternatively, take an Epsom salt bath to treat your condition.
5. Castor Oil
The next remedy on our list of natural treatments for pilonidal cysts is using castor oil. Since castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it'll alleviate your pain, discomfort, and help treat the problem quickly.
For the remedy, you have to first heat some using castor oil. Now soak a clean cotton swab in this warm oil, and put it on on the infected area. Utilizing a bandage, secure the cotton. Leave it on for a few hours and repeat. Use a new cotton ball each time to heal the problem quickly.
6. Garlic
To treat pilonidal cysts, try garlic, which owing to its antibiotic properties, will treat the condition effectively and quickly.
Garlic is also antifungal, so it will not only prevent the infection from spreading, it will also prevent the condition from reappearing later on. Garlic, if taken internally, can strengthen the immune system, and give your body the power to fight infection.
For the remedy, all you have to do is take a garlic herb, and crush it with a knife. Apply the clove on the affected region, and cover it with a gauze. Leave the crushed clove on for some minutes, and then wash the area with cold water. Pat the region dry, with a soft and clean washcloth.
The remedy must be repeated once every day until the condition is completely healed.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is extremely well-known for its therapeutic properties. The gel that you extract from the leaf of an aloe vera helps reduce pain and discomfort, both of which are common symptoms associated with pilonidal cysts.
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. So it will also prevent infection from spreading with other areas.
For the remedy, you have to cut an aloe vera leaf, length-wise, and scoop the gel using a spoon. Now apply the gel on the infected skin. Let it rest on for about 20-odd minutes, and wash the region with lukewarm water.
This remedy must be repeated three times a day before the condition is totally healed.
You may also soak a cotton ball in the gel after five minutes, apply it on the affected region. Using a bandage, secure the cotton swab, and leave it on for half an hour. The remedy should be repeated every 4 hours for a week or as long as it takes for the condition to heal completely.
8. Turmeric
The curcumin in turmeric makes it a fantastic remedy for pilonidal cysts. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and as a result, it will treat the swelling and also the irritation caused by the cysts.
The antiseptic nature of turmeric makes it a great natural treatment for any type of infection.
For the remedy, mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder with some water. For a paste, and put it on on the infected area. Let it rest on until it dries on its own. Now clean the area with lukewarm water.
The remedy should be repeated two to three times a day until your cysts disappear completely.
9. Black Tea Bags
The last remedy on our list is black tea bags. Black tea being acidic anyway, prevents cysts from getting worse. It also helps prevent infections.
Black tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which provide relief to the pain and also the swelling associated with pilonidal cysts.
For the remedy, you have to first heat a cup of water. Dip a black tea bag in this hot water for five minutes. Now remove the bag and place it around the infected area for about 10 mins.
This remedy should be repeated once or twice a day until the condition is treated.
That is all we have on today's post on natural home remedies for pilonidal cysts. Was this beneficial? Will you be recommending it to other people too? If you have some remedies that you'd like to share with us, then please so in the comment section below.
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