Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
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A pimple
Sores or ulcers of the skin
Red bumps with white centers
Skin erosion
Pus in the breast
Breakdown of the outer layers of the skin
Smelly bumps
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This refers to a small hole or tunnel at the top of the buttocks where the butt cheeks come together. It is usually harmless, very small and goes unnoticed unless it becomes infected. The cause is not fully understood but involves friction, hormones and hair growth in that area. It is more common among men, young adults, and people who sit down for long periods.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
A pilonidal sinus only needs treatment in the case of infection. Mild infections may only need antibiotics and warm compresses. More severe infections may require drainage of the pus as well as antibiotics. Very severe and recurrent cases can lead to scarring and deepening tracts in the skin. These cases frequently require surgery.
Bi S, Sun K, Chen S, Gu J. Surgical procedures in the pilonidal sinus disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 13;10(1):13720. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70641-7. PMID: 32792519; PMCID: PMC7426950.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-70641-7Kober MM, Alapati U, Khachemoune A. Treatment options for pilonidal sinus. Cutis. 2018 Oct;102(4):E23-E29. PMID: 30489572.
https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/183862/hair-nails/treatment-options-pilonidal-sinusde Parades V, Bouchard D, Janier M, Berger A. Pilonidal sinus disease. J Visc Surg. 2013 Sep;150(4):237-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2013.05.006. Epub 2013 Aug 1. PMID: 23911903.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878788613000714?via%3DihubMale, 30s
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My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
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The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
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I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
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