Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is a pilonidal cyst? —
This is a fluid-filled sac that forms just above the crease where the buttocks come together (figure 1). This cyst can get inflamed and infected. It can also cause pain and make it uncomfortable to sit or lie back. Pilonidal cysts are thought to be related to hair in the area.
If you have a pilonidal cyst without any symptoms, it probably does not need treatment. If the cyst is causing symptoms, treatment usually involves either draining the cyst or removing it with surgery.
How long it takes for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on if your cyst was drained or removed.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take all of your medicines as instructed – In some cases, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic medicine. Antibiotics help kill the bacteria that caused the infection. But they are not always needed. If you get antibiotics, finish all of the medicine and take it exactly as instructed. Never skip doses or stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor or nurse.
●Follow instructions about hair removal – If you had a cyst drained, you should regularly remove the hair from the area after it has healed. You can do this by shaving carefully or using a hair removal product (sample brand name: Nair). This might help prevent the cyst from causing symptoms again.
If you had a procedure done, you should also:
●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches on your incision, or your incision might be open and the wound packed. If the wound is packed or if you have a "wick" inside of the wound, remove it when the doctor tells you to.
●Change your dressing as instructed – Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on exactly how to do this (table 1). They will also tell you how often to change the dressing. This is based on the kind of wound you have and the type of dressing materials you will use.
If you were given medicine for pain, you might want to take it 30 to 60 minutes before you change the dressing.
What follow-up care do I need? —
The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.
If you have stitches, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Have redness or swelling around your incision
●Think that the cyst is returning, and have redness, swelling, fluid drainage, or pain when you put pressure on the area
Patient education: Pilonidal cyst (The Basics)
Patient education: How to change a dressing (The Basics)
