Tailbone cyst

A tailbone cyst or sacrococcygeal cyst can develop at the level of the gluteal cleft. Often this does not bother you, but if the cyst begins to inflame, further action is necessary.

Cause

Tail bone cysts are more common in younger people and especially in men. The cyst may be congenital or caused by ingrown hairs. Therefore, you are more likely to develop the cyst when you have pronounced body hair.

Treatment

If you are not bothered by the cyst, nothing is usually done about it (for now). In that case, it is recommended that you shave the area regularly. It is also best to keep the area clean and dry to avoid infection. Avoiding prolonged sitting can help reduce pressure on the area.

However, the cyst can also become inflamed or form an abscess. This is usually treatable by draining the cyst. If you suffer from persistent or recurrent cysts, it may be necessary to surgically remove the cyst. The resulting wound is usually not sutured, due to the risk of infection and the fact that the wound often reopens due to its difficult location. This can make recovery difficult. It is best to be assisted by home care until the wound is completely healed.

It may be necessary to perform skin reconstruction if the problem area is too large.