Ren yu Zhang, MD

Pilonidal Disease Specialist

Board-Certified Colorectal Surgeon located in Las Vegas, NV

Pilonidal Disease services offered in Las Vegas, NV

Pilonidal disease affects about 70,000 people in the United States every year. If you have skin irritation or drainage from the skin at the crease of your buttocks, Ren Yu Zhang, MD, can perform an exam to diagnose pilonidal disease. Dr. Zhang also specializes in custom treatment plans to address infections and help your skin heal fully. Call the office in Las Vegas, Nevada, today or book a consultation online to discuss your options for treating pilonidal disease. 

Pilonidal Disease Q & A

What is pilonidal disease?

Pilonidal disease is a chronic skin infection that develops in the crease of your buttocks, near your tailbone. 

While the underlying cause of pilonidal disease isn’t well understood, the condition may develop when body hairs penetrate the skin in the crease of the buttocks and cause irritation or infection.

This disease develops between puberty and age 40, especially in people with weight challenges and those who have stiff, thick body hair. Pilonidal disease is also more common in men than women, especially men in their 20s and people who sit for long periods of time.

Without treatment, pilonidal disease can lead to a painful abscess, a pus-filled cavity that forms under the skin.

What are the symptoms of pilonidal disease?

Symptoms of pilonidal disease can range from mild to severe. When you have the condition, you may experience:

  • Fever
  • Skin irritation
  • Redness
  • Inflammation
  • Foul-smelling drainage

If you have any symptoms of pilonidal disease, Dr. Zhang can confirm your diagnosis during a physical exam. He creates a treatment plan based on the symptoms you’re having and the severity of your condition.

How is pilonidal disease treated?

The goals of treating pilonidal disease are to clear the active infection and keep the area free of hair that can irritate the skin.

Dr. Zhang may prescribe antibiotics, or he may need to drain an existing abscess during a simple in-office procedure. 

If you have recurrent infections, you may need surgery to open the tracks (fistulas) that open in your skin. This allows your skin to heal more efficiently, so you can find relief from your symptoms.

After surgery, Dr. Zhang can teach you how to keep the area clean and dry. You may need to shave the area or undergo laser treatments to remove body hair from the crease of your buttocks to prevent reinfection.

You can also lower your risk for pilonidal disease by losing weight and avoiding long periods of inactivity.

If you have symptoms of pilonidal disease and need a diagnostic evaluation, call the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, today to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online.