We face various cases during our rotations and shifts, which are “uncommon yet common”. Cases that can be uncommon to experience, yet the prevalence is high.
One of them is “Pilonidal Cyst” that I have experienced as a doctor and as a patient as well
Pilonidal cyst disease is caused by hair invading the skin at the natal cleft. This hair causes a foreign body reaction, commonly leading to a hair-filled abscess cavity.
The resulting folliculitis produces edema that obstructs each follicle’s opening.
Abscess can be infectious
Ratio of about 3-4:1 male: female
Risk factors:
- More common in men than women from age 16 to 30 years
- More common in the overweight population
- Prolonged sitting on a tough surface
- Wounds
Symptomatic presentation
- Pain and Reddening of the skin
- Drainage of pus or blood from an opening in the skin
- Foul smell from draining pus
- Prevention and Treatment
Treatment and prevention
- Abscess drainage via picking
- Surgery accompanied by pus draining and suturing after a month of dressing
- Antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection growth for 4-5 months
- NSAIDS for pain
- Soft cushions for sitting
- Preventing long sitting hours
What are some other “uncommon yet common” diseases that you’ve noticed that are uncommon for you but common according to their prevalence??