Lump on tailbone - pilonidal cyst

[ifonly4]

DD has what sounds like a very painful sore lump at the bottom of her tailbone. I haven't seen it but she says it's larger than an inch. She said it was so painful last night, she nearly asked for help.

She's 17 and not home at the moment. She saw a nurse yesterday, GP wasn't free but she was given ABs. She's seen the nurse again today who says it looks worse and she'll see a GP tomorrow. Annoyingly, if she was at home I know our local GP would have been her yesterday. Any ideas what the GP might do/suggest? Does it sound like a pilonidal cyst or could it be something else?

Bump. Has anyone had something similar? What was the outcome?

If it is an infected cyst/peri-anal abscess & doesn’t settle with anti-b’s it will likely need draining in theatre. It’s a very common minor op. Hope the anti-b’s hit the spot.

Walkingthroughwall - don't suppose you know how quickly they'll get her in if needs be?

I had this many years ago when I was a student. Antibiotics didn’t help and it was so painful I went to a walk in place and was taken straight into hospital to have it drained.
The operation was nothing really but the healing wasn’t great as I had to go to Drs each day to have it “packed” - in the end they took pity on me and came to our flat to dress it for me.
It’s really painful though, so encourage her to get to hospital if it gets too bad x

LaFlottes - thanks for your reply. She's seen doctor who says it's infected and will see her next week. I've messaged asking if she has any more ABs and waiting for a reply!! She's home tomorrow for 24 hours so will see what she's like.

They are often done the same day as referred. She will be out the next day in all likelihood. Instant pain relief.

That's good she has AB's and if they work then it's definitely better than it being drained, as like I said, the healing is a bit of a hassle!

Do tell her though that if they are not working and it's getting worse, to just get to hospital and have it drained - she mustn't wait, not because it's dangerous but more because it's just really sore!
Hope she's on the mend soon.

I’ve had a few of these and luckily they have drained themselves following a very hot bath. Might be worth a try.

If it needs draining in theatre she'll most likely be admitted & done either on the same day or next day.

Spoken to her now. Apparently she's on some very strong antibiotics and doctor has advised her to get some probiotics in her. She's already got some tablets, but is home for 24 hours this week so I'll send her back with some probiotic yogurts. She seems happy enough in herself, but it'll be good to have her home and judge how she really is.