Training & Nutrition - serious problem (warning, graphic topic)

Since I was 15 years old, I have had a Pilonidal sist.

Its a chronic infection of the skin in the region of the buttock crease.

It has come back many times, even after Ive taken antibiotics and surgery.

The thing that striks me the most is how it always comes back when I do alot of bike riding.

I rarely feel pain, in that area, after a long bike ride it does sometimes gos numb.

I have talked to a few doctors and even some other cyclist about this, none of them think that bike riding was the cause.

Do you guys think bike riding is to blame?

Can a cheap low-quality seat do this much damage?

I had one when I was in college, had surgery to remove it. Mine was above the crease, so in my case it was only frustrating when it would get swollen. Not sure if this is where yours is, or if its located on your perineum, in which case, it must be mighty painful.

I can't imagine bicycling causing it, as they are formed by an abscess which has an infected hair follicle or infection causing inflammation. Cycling might aggravate the condition, as warmth and sweat can help bacteria grow, leading to a reinfection.

What is particularly interesting is that you say you have had surgery and it has come back. If I were you, I'd see a dermatologist about it to confirm that is in fact a reoccurrence of the cyst you had removed, and not a saddle sore. If it is a cyst, discuss options for removal, as the procedure is minor, and in my opinion well worth it. No matter what, make sure you see a doctor who can tell you if it is a cyst, and if so, why the first surgery didn't remove it.

I had one about 30 years ago. Had it removed surgically and haven't had problems since.
Perhaps your surgery wasn't successful (maybe they didn't remove ALL of it). What does your doctor say about that?

I had one about 30 years ago. Had it removed surgically and haven't had problems since.
Perhaps your surgery wasn't successful (maybe they didn't remove ALL of it). What does your doctor say about that?


All the doctor said was that its a chronic disease.

Get second opinion. They should be able to remove it, and if your current doctor can't, another should be able to.

Get second opinion. They should be able to remove it, and if your current doctor can't, another should be able to.

problem is that the local gov't here dosnt let people change or pick our own doctors. I asked to change the dermatologist, and was told I cant, because of regulations. :D

Pilonidal cysts only occur at the top of the buttock
crease, on the lower sacrum and are due to ingrown
skin adnexal structures. Their treatment is learned
by every surgery resident from the first month and
are easily removed. If your problems are lower between
the anus and the scrotum then this is a completely
different matter and is much more difficult to control.
Bicycling on a diamond frame bike can't cause numbness in
the sacral area. Recumbent seats can. Numbness in the sacral
area may be, in a nonintuitive way, associated with cycling but is a manifestation of problems elsewhere. Perineal and scrotal
numbness is a fairly common problem for people that ride
several hours, but newer seat designs and bike adjustments
can usually get rid of this. Steve

problem is that the local gov't here dosnt let people change or pick our own doctors.

That's messed up.

problem is that the local gov't here dosnt let people change or pick our own doctors. I asked to change the dermatologist, and was told I cant, because of regulations. :D

One word:

Move

That's messed up.

Yep, parts of New York state are over run by commies! :D

One word:

Move


As soon as Im done with college :D

problem is that the local gov't here dosnt let people change or pick our own doctors. I asked to change the dermatologist, and was told I cant, because of regulations. :D
That *is* messed up. I can't believe they would deny you permission to get a second opinion.

problem is that the local gov't here dosnt let people change or pick our own doctors. I asked to change the dermatologist, and was told I cant, because of regulations. :D

There must be an appeal system of some sort.

Many govt agencies automatically say NO to just about any request beyond the ordinary. They sort of "sort" how serious the request is by seeing who appeals and who doesn't. Social Security disability almost always turns down folks 2 times at least as a matter of course. It is only on the 3rd appeal that you might get consideration.

There must be some sort of "ombudsman" available in the system. Do you have a legal clinic associated with your school? I.e., law students looking for practice prior to graduating?

Don't give up on the 2nd opinion. Also, there is always the option of paying for one yourself.

There must be an appeal system of some sort.

Many govt agencies automatically say NO to just about any request beyond the ordinary. They sort of "sort" how serious the request is by seeing who appeals and who doesn't. Social Security disability almost always turns down folks 2 times at least as a matter of course. It is only on the 3rd appeal that you might get consideration.

There must be some sort of "ombudsman" available in the system. Do you have a legal clinic associated with your school? I.e., law students looking for practice prior to graduating?

Don't give up on the 2nd opinion. Also, there is always the option of paying for one yourself.

I'll try my best

You guys have to understand that parts of this country are locked in deep regulation. So much so, its acually killing those local economies. My town for example, charges 8.25% for sales tax, and now I hear they wanna bring it to 8.75%!!!!!!!making it the highest in the country!!!!!

My health plan is threw my mothers job,....She getting laid off next month,...maybe when that happens I can change doctors threw a new health plan

This is the New York in America right? How can they tell you you cant switch doctors? Only your health insurance company can do that and then they can only stop you from doing so by denying coverage.

This is the New York in America right? How can they tell you you cant switch doctors? Only your health insurance company can do that and then they can only stop you from doing so by denying coverage.

Listen, I think we're straying off topic!

I just wanna know if cycling can cause or aggravate a Pilonidal sist?

I suggest posting on a medical forum for the cyst.

The governor about you tax issues

And a lawyer to sue New York for not allowing you to see any Doctor you wish.

I just wanna know if cycling can cause or aggravate a Pilonidal sist?

Cause, no. Aggravate, no more than any other exercise that makes you sweat in the area.

I'm currently dealing with the same issue. I had bleeding near my rectum and noticed 6 sinus cavities. Visited a colorectal surgeon who diagnosed it, detected some communication between the cavities along with an infection, and I recently underwent an excision. It appeared to my dr that some of the sinuses had been present for years, yet I had only begun cycling in the past 1.5 years. He seems to think that cycling exacerbated this issue and led to my infection. More generally, some believe that the mechanism of acquiring these sinuses can be due to shearing forces in the natal cleft which can stretch the hair follicles and allow a large entrance for bacteria. Similarly, hair insertion in the skin of the cleft can also cause a foreign body reaction, which if ignored, can lead to cavity formation.

In any case, without a complete understanding of the mechanism of onset for pilonidal cysts/sinuses it's tough to say if biking can cause it. I seem to fulfill all of the risk factors without considering my biking (ie I'm a white male, deep natal cleft, hairy ass, do a lot of sitting, and sweat a lot in the area when I work out). I was asymptomtic until I starting cycling. I concede that I didn't use a chamois cream and I was not diligent about removing my cycling shorts and showering immediately after riding (bad choice).

So, now with a question - who here has experience with cycling after recieving treatment for a pilonidal cyst/sinus? What kind of treatment did you recieve (excision, some for of cleft closure, etc)? What has cycling been like after the procedure. My surgeon maintains that if I end up needing a cleft closure, mountin biking is not going to be an option for me.

(oh, and sorry for the long post)

I'm currently dealing with the same issue. I had bleeding near my rectum.

I seem to fulfill all of the risk factors without considering my biking (ie I'm a white male, deep natal cleft, hairy ass, do a lot of sitting, and sweat a lot in the area when I work out).

I have similar symptoms and I am subscribing to this thread.

I had the same thing. It showed up after landing HARD on my tailbone during a snowboarding accident. They can be caused by an injury to the tailbone area. Mine would "flare up" and eventually drain about every 3-6 months and didn't cause a lot of pain. The flare ups got more frequent and painful and I finally went in and had it cut out and sewn back up. Mine didn't contain any hair. I had the surgery about 2 years ago and have had no issues since. The doctor did mention that they usually only have about a 67% success rate in getting them to disappear forever. All of this was before I started cycling, but I doubt if cycling could CAUSE it, but I can see how it could make it flare up from all the sweating, etc. . .

mayoclinic.com says bicycling may be a factor. Maybe try different shorts and/or seat.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pilonidal-cyst/DS00747/DSECTION=causes

I am very surprised how many people on here are affected by this, me being another. I had a hard timw with it years ago but now I get the odd flare up and it mostly becomes inflamed, itchy and then goes away in a couple of days.
I have wrestled with the idea of having it removed but it rarely bothers me now (every 6 or 7 months maybe) so I wondered if its worth it.
Is the removal very painful and how long is the recovery? I have read that the recovery is very long and I am nervous about being unable to ride, work and everything else for weeks and weeks.
Thanks

Listen, I think we're straying off topic!

I just wanna know if cycling can cause or aggravate a Pilonidal sist?

This has a stench of troll now...Cycling is not the root cause your cyst. Probably a lack of hygiene has something to do with it...I've never gotten a saddle sore and have spent upwards to 6 hours in the saddle before without any embrocations. It's all a matter of personal hygiene. Take showers...scrub well, shave if you have, and most importantly....Wash your cycling clothes properly.

I have one too. It is aggravated by doing sit ups with not enough padding. I learned to use extra padding, and everything has been great! I wish you the best buddy, it does suck.

Antibacterial soap will help a LOT specialy diabetics who get cysts there alot and between your legs . A lot a this is caused by bacteria . Iam NOT A Dr but I worked in a ER for 5 yrs saw a LOT a this . And I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night :O)