Pilonidal Care

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford specializes in the treatment of pilonidal disease. Our team has special training to help with treating this disease and preventing it from happening again. We serve patients in the Bay Area and throughout the west coast and are always open to new consults.

What is pilonidal disease?

Pilonidal disease is a skin infection that forms near the tailbone or in the crease between the buttocks. This happens when loose hair and dead skin cells get trapped under the skin. Hair follicles under the skin can become plugged and may rupture. If they rupture, the area can be infected. This makes the area painful whenever the person move around. It affects mostly teens and young adults.

Symptoms of pilonidal disease

Pilonidal disease occurs in the area above the buttocks. It can look like:

• A small, painless pit or hole.
• A dimple in the crease between the buttocks.
• A large, painful area filled with pus at the tailbone.

You may also see pus or blood draining from the lump. If the area becomes infected, it may be:

• Red.
• Tender.
• Painful.
• Have a bad smell.