Is It Safe to Swim with a Pilonidal Cyst?
Important Details: Male, 25 years old, 185 cm tall, 120 kg, Caucasian, inquiring about swimming with a pilonidal cyst, not on any medication, abstains from alcohol, smoking, and drugs, residing in Hungary. Recently, on July 19th, I experienced a recurrence of my cyst beneath my post-surgical scar after a span of seven years. The situation escalated rapidly, resulting in significant swelling. By July 24th, a local surgeon intervened to drain the cyst. After about a week, I found that I no longer needed to use a gauze pad over the area. I believe that as of now, the site has likely healed. With the forecast indicating today is the last day of summer, I am eager to either visit a nearby aquapark or swim at a local lake. However, the information available online regarding swimming post-cyst is quite mixed. Unfortunately, I was unable to consult with a surgeon or my general practitioner about this matter. Because I can only observe the scars, I'm uncertain whether a hole related to the pilonidal cyst remains or if the wound is still open. However, I suspect that after three weeks, it should have healed sufficiently.
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 11:31:08 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to want to enjoy swimming, especially after your recent experience with a pilonidal cyst. Here’s some information to help you make a decision about swimming safely.
Main Points:
- Swimming can pose risks for recent surgical sites, including the possibility of infection.
- Considering your healing status is crucial before deciding to swim.
Explanation:
A pilonidal cyst’s drainage site can still be susceptible to bacteria and environmental factors, especially in public swimming areas like aquaparks or lakes. If the area has healed completely with no open wounds or discharge, the risk decreases but still exists. Water can harbor bacteria that may lead to infection if the skin has not fully sealed over.
Next Steps:
-
Assess Healing: Check for any signs of open wounds, redness, warmth, or discharge. If the skin feels completely intact and has no visible holes, you may be in a safe position to swim.
-
Choose the Right Environment: If you decide to swim, consider the cleanliness of the water. Swimming in well-treated pools is generally safer than natural bodies of water, which can harbor harmful bacteria.
-
Protect the Area: If there is any uncertainty about the state of your skin, consider covering the area with a waterproof bandage to provide a barrier against water exposure.
-
Monitor Symptoms: After swimming, pay close attention for any signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, or redness in the area. If symptoms arise, seek medical advice promptly.
-
Enjoy and Limit Exposure: If everything appears fine, you can enjoy your swim but avoid prolonged exposure. Brief swims may be safer as it minimizes the chance of irritation.
Enjoy your time, and always prioritize your health! If you're ever in doubt, it's best to consult a healthcare professional.
Related Questions
Identifying Skin Marks on My Child
My 5-year-old daughter, who has no history of allergies, has developed peculiar skin marks over the past four to five days. Each morning, I observe these blemishes, which mysteriously disappear by the next day, only to reappear in different locations. The majority of these spots are located on her lower back, buttocks, and the back of her thighs, although I've also seen some on her upper back and a single one on her cheek. As an additional note, she began exhibiting mild cold symptoms last night, including a cough, some mucus, and a slight increase in body temperature. To provide further context: she mentioned that the marks are somewhat itchy, but she hasn’t been scratching them excessively.
Impact of Tegretol Overdose at Age 7
As a woman now in her late thirties, I reflect back on a significant event from my childhood. At just seven years old, I accidentally ingested a large quantity of Tegretol, a medication prescribed to my brother for his epilepsy. Without realizing the danger, I swallowed a handful of those pills and fell asleep on the couch next to my mother. To my surprise, I regained consciousness a week later in a hospital bed. My mother recounted that I had suffered a seizure, at which point she found herself unable to awaken me, leading to a state of coma. Once I awoke, the emotional shift was profound; I transitioned from sadness to experiencing a tumultuous range of feelings. I am now curious about how such an overdose could have impacted my brain function. I attempted to search online for insights but came up empty-handed. Any information or shared experiences related to brain effects from similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Young Plumber with Herniated Discs Seeks Guidance
Greetings, medical professionals. I am a 17-year-old plumber who has dedicated the past two years to this trade, beginning when I was just 15. About two years ago, I was involved in a car accident that led to the discovery of three herniated discs: one located in my upper back, while the other two are situated in the mid to lower back region. While it's possible that these injuries stemmed from the accident, I suspect they might not be entirely related. Interestingly, disc problems seem to be common in my family. I'm concerned about my prospects moving forward. What can I expect in terms of health as I age, especially regarding these injuries? Moreover, how can I prevent a situation where I may struggle with mobility in my 50s or 60s? For some time, my pain subsided, but recently, I've started to experience discomfort again in the mid to lower back area, reminiscent of what I felt initially. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Inquiry Regarding FDG-PET Scan Findings
I recently underwent an FDG-PET/CT scan for my brain to investigate some cognitive difficulties I've been experiencing. Although the report is now available on My Chart, my follow-up appointment with the doctor is scheduled for three weeks from now. I have a query regarding the standard deviation scale presented in the report, which lists values from -2 to -4.6. What does the lowest value signify? Is the scale graded on a 1-5, 1-10, or perhaps 1-100 basis? I appreciate your assistance with this! Notable regions noted for decreased metabolic activity include: - Left Inferior frontal gyrus, triangularis: SD "4.6" - Left Heschl gyrus: SD "3.8" - Left Superior temporal gyrus: SD "3.6" - Left Middle temporal gyrus: SD "3.4" - Left Supramarginal gyrus: SD "2.6" - Left Inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal area: SD "2.1" Other areas displaying low metabolism are: - Right Superior frontal gyrus, medial: SD "3.2" - Left Superior frontal gyrus, medial: SD "2.2"
Seeking Clarity on a Pediatric Surgical Experience
One of my earliest recollections involves surgical gauze wrapped around my genitals and being cautioned to exercise caution regarding my circumcision. This incident dates back to around 1972, when I was roughly three years old. My brother, who was eleven at the time, corroborates this memory and recalls that the bandage remained in place for "a few weeks." His recollection is a bit unclear, but he does remember seeing me running around without pants and with a gauze dressing. He believes the dressing wasn't overly bulky and doesn't recall any stent being used. However, I am aware that his memory may not be completely accurate based on other conversations we've had. He recalls being informed that I underwent surgery for an undescended testicle, yet was never made aware of a circumcision being involved. Later, a physician indirectly confirmed that I had undergone an early orchidopexy. This memory piques my curiosity, particularly since my parents have never brought it up with me. I have knowledge of having glanular/coronal hypospadias, and the details of my situation appear to align with images I’ve encountered depicting partial hypospadias corrections. This leads me to wonder if my circumcision might have actually been related to hypospadias surgery. Unfortunately, any tangible proof of these events was lost when I underwent gender confirmation surgery as a trans woman three decades ago. It's conceivable that the standard circumcision procedure typically performed at birth could have been postponed, given that I was born slightly premature and had significant Rh disease and hypoxia. But could it have been deferred until I reached the age of three? I have made attempts to obtain my medical records, but unfortunately, they have been destroyed over the years. While I understand that definitive answers may be elusive, I would greatly appreciate any insights or thoughts on this matter.