Home Care:

Keep pilonidal dimples clean and free of debris during regular bathing. Report any drainage of fluid from the dimple, either clear or containing pus, to your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if you notice swelling, redness, drainage or tenderness around the pilonidal dimple.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

You will be asked for your medical history and given a physical examination. In the vast majority of cases, the examining physician will merely comment that you or your infant or child has a pilonidal dimple and that you should not worry. Sometimes you may be asked for the following information:

• Has there been any change in the appearance of the pilonidal dimple?
• Has there been any drainage from the dimple?
• Are any other symptoms developing?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there any numbness or loss of movement in the legs?
• Has there been any change in bladder control?

If there is infection present, you or your child may need surgery to address the abscess or cyst. Studies may be done to determine if the pilonidal dimple or sinus extends to the spinal cord.