Concerns After Treatment
I am a 24-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 220 pounds. Yesterday, I visited urgent care to have a Pilonidal cyst drained. The physician administered anesthesia and made an incision, but he mentioned that not much fluid was expelled. He suggested letting gravity assist in the healing process and recommended warm compresses to facilitate drainage. I was advised that I would experience immediate relief, yet that hasn’t been the case for me. Instead, I find myself in increased discomfort, unable to sit, and I’m moving around gingerly. The medical facility is closed until Monday, and although I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for next week, I can't shake the concern that the procedure might not have been effective. I have been diligent in changing the dressings as instructed.
Answers (1)

7/4/2025, 9:30:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling discomfort after your procedure. It’s understandable to feel concerned, especially with the pain you're experiencing following the drainage of your pilonidal cyst. Here's some information that may help you address your concerns:
Main Points:
- Discomfort after a pilonidal cyst drainage is common and can vary from person to person.
- The healing process may take time, and immediate relief isn't always guaranteed.
- Warm compresses and diligent wound care are key to aiding recovery.
Explanation:
After a pilonidal cyst drainage, it’s not unusual to still feel discomfort, even if the procedure was carried out correctly. The cyst may not have been fully drained, which can lead to residual pressure and pain. Pain can also occur due to inflammation in the area, which may take a couple of days to settle down. Warm compresses can help by improving blood flow and promoting drainage, but results might not be instantaneous.
Next Steps:
- Warm Compresses: Continue using warm compresses on the area for about 15-20 minutes several times a day. This may help ease some discomfort and encourage further drainage.
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage your pain. Be sure to follow the recommended dosages on the package.
- Observe Symptoms: Monitor for any signs of increased redness, swelling, or discharge that changes in color or odor. These could indicate an infection.
- Rest and Positioning: Try to avoid sitting directly on the area if it’s painful. You might find it more comfortable to lie on your side and use a cushioned seat or pillow if you need to sit down.
- Keep Dressing Clean: Ensure that any bandage or dressing applied is clean and dry. Change the dressing as instructed and with clean hands, to minimize infection risk.
If your pain worsens dramatically, or if you notice any signs of infection, plan for a visit to urgent care or an emergency room before your scheduled follow-up. You're doing great by taking care of the wound as instructed. If you have any more specific concerns or if anything changes, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Potential Arm Injury
20 AFAB - While at my workplace, a large Lego box weighing around 6 to 7 pounds fell from a height of approximately 5 feet, landing squarely on my arm just above my wrist. At the moment, the area is bruised and extremely sensitive when touched. There's an unusual bump that makes me wonder if there might be something wrong with the bone itself. I’m uncertain about how to explain it further. What might be the cause of these symptoms? Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you.
Exploring Treatment Options for Myelitis: A Patient's Perspective
At 52, I am a man who has been recently diagnosed with acute myelitis, which has resulted in paraplegia. I am eager to explore potential treatment approaches outside of China and connect with fellow patients for experience sharing. Despite undergoing multiple therapies— including immunoglobulin therapy, hormonal treatments, and plasma exchange— I have not observed any noticeable improvement in my condition. My main goal is to exchange insights and learn from others in similar situations.
Seeking Guidance for My Son's Developmental Delays
I’m reaching out because my son, who is nearing 14 months, seems to be lagging behind in his developmental milestones. He has yet to walk, talk, sit up, roll over, or keep his legs straight for extended periods. His facial expressions are quite limited, with only an occasional smile to communicate. People frequently tell me how fortunate I am that he’s so calm, but after reflecting on his situation, I’m growing increasingly concerned. I was told that his height might be contributing to his difficulty in walking and that I could have encouraged more tummy time. However, I recently discovered that there was a complication at his birth. By sharing this, I hope to find someone who can relate or understand the implications involved in his case. My family now suspects he might have cerebral palsy. I had no idea about this until I researched it, but many of his symptoms appear to align with the condition. I prefer not to get caught in endless searches until Monday, so I thought it best to seek advice here instead. Here’s a brief overview of what happened at his birth: - After he was born, he cried briefly but had a dusky appearance. - His heart rate was approximately 100 beats per minute, but his respiratory effort was weak despite breathing on his own. - We began Positive End Expiration Pressure (PEEP) at 5 cmH2O with 30% oxygen. At one point, he paused breathing and his heart rate fell below 100, requiring five inflation breaths and a two-person jaw thrust. - Fortunately, his heart rate improved and he started breathing regularly around three minutes after birth. His oxygen saturation levels were low (60% at four minutes), so we increased the oxygen to 50%. - By eight minutes, his saturation remained in the 70s, prompting us to provide 100% oxygen. By 11 minutes, his saturation exceeded 90%, allowing us to wean him off oxygen, and by 15 minutes, he was breathing room air. He was monitored for 20 minutes before being handed over to his dad for a cuddle. In terms of his respiratory and cardiovascular health, he experienced cyanotic episodes, particularly at two hours old, necessitating oxygen. By the time he was admitted to the Neonatal Unit, he was breathing without assistance. He was on oxygen for only a day. A cranial ultrasound returned negative results, indicating no bleeding concerns. He was admitted to the Neonatal Unit shortly after birth due to episodes of dusky skin and rolling eyes post-feeding. He was monitored for possible seizures, but the continuous fetal monitoring for around six hours showed no further seizure activity or abnormal movements. My main concern is whether there’s any long-term risk for brain damage given these circumstances. I would appreciate any information or guidance on this matter. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Should I Seek a Referral to Neurology?
Hello everyone! I’m a 32-year-old female and I recently attended an appointment with an audiologist due to experiencing episodes of muffled hearing two to three times daily. During my evaluation, they made an interesting observation: episodes of pure torsional nystagmus were detected. This type of nystagmus, without an upbeat direction, burst component, or accompanying feelings of dizziness, does not align with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Consequently, this could point towards potential issues of a central origin. Given this finding, do you think I should pursue a referral to a neurologist? I’m currently located in Canada, where obtaining such referrals can be challenging, so I’m contemplating how assertively I should advocate for this. Additionally, here are a few other medical details that might be pertinent: - I have a history of migraines. - A brain MRI conducted in 2018 revealed a linear signal abnormality along the corpus callosum, which I didn't seek further evaluation for at that time. - I am presently undergoing assessment by a rheumatologist for suspected spondyloarthritis. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Experiencing Hives When Exposed to Cold?
As a 22-year-old woman, I've encountered a perplexing issue over the past couple of years. Instead of the usual goosebumps that typically accompany feeling cold, I now develop large, itchy welts on the areas of my body that would generally respond this way. It has become a concerning and uncomfortable experience that I can’t ignore.