Pilar cyst.

[Fordian]

DS (22) has a pilar cyst at the very top of his natal cleft (bum crack😂)- about 1cm across. It did nothing for 2 years, then it got infected.

He went to the uni GP (by which time the infection was pretty much gone, no ABs) who confirmed it was a pilar cyst and arranged for him to go to an OP at Poole Hospital. Two buses each way. So he goes and they confirm it is a pilar cyst, and tell him they'll make an appointment at Bournemouth Hospital.

So he goes today and - they confirm it is a pilar cyst, take bloods and do a ECG. (Why?- he's perfectly healthy).

Then send him away.

When do you think they might actually remove this cyst? That's three medical appointments already.

20 years ago, the GP would have removed it.

I can’t give you an answer but clicked on this thread as my son aged 9 has exactly the same thing on his bum cheek and he’s been waiting to see a dermatologist for about 2 years for it now. Every time I ring to chase it they just say he’s on the waiting list! If it gets infected the Gp just prescribes antibiotics and send us away!

The ECG and bloods were because he is, apparently, underweight, by 2kg. 🙄

We smile ruefully as we all know that the men in our families have a tendency to thin and not very muscley until they turn 40.

Bam.

Is it a pilonidal cyst.

If it's a pilonidal cyst I'm not sure a GP really would have whipped that kind of cyst out as you suggest! A friend of mine had one as a young man 15/20 years ago. They're difficult to remove and get rid of, and surgical options are often complicated or don't work properly -- the surgery often involves cutting right down to the bone, leaving it open to drain and having it packed and re-packed in hospital as an outpatient for weeks as it heals from the base out - and for my friend it didn't work and he had to have it done several times and suffered lasting issues and weeks off work each time. He still can't sit down without pain years later!

I would not be keen for them to go in all gung ho without careful consideration! And I don't think they just rush the surgical decision either. I'm sorry for your son as it's a nasty condition, but I would suggest he take careful advice on the best treatment options.

--oh and if I recall correctly it comes back in around fifty percent of people who have the surgery; and then more drastic surgery like my friend's, sometimes with plastic surgery as well, is needed. So I don't think it's something they do unless they have to.

@Fordian

The ECG and bloods were because he is, apparently, underweight, by 2kg. 🙄

We smile ruefully as we all know that the men in our families have a tendency to thin and not very muscley until they turn 40.

Bam.

They may be considering surgery, general anesthetic.

Cysts in that area have to be monitored carefully, sometimes they can attach to the bowel.