The dog stabbed my pilonidal sinus. Will it get infected?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 26 years old. I have pilonidal sinus in the tailbone or top of the buttocks ever since I was a teenager. Me, my wife, and her dog went camping. Accidentally the dog stabbed the hole at the top of my buttocks, and the pilonidal sinus started bleeding. It has been a few hours, the bleeding has stopped more or less, but it is still hurting. Can it be infected? I am not under any medication. Please guide me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from pilonidal sinus in the tailbone or top of your buttock and bleeding after being poked by the dog.

A pilonidal sinus is a hole in the skin at the top of the buttock. It does not need any medical treatment unless it becomes infected and develops symptoms like soreness or pain, red, bleeding, or producing pus-filled abscess or lump.

As you have a history of soreness, bleeding after being scratched by a dog, you need medical treatment. I suggest you take the following medicines:

1) Amoxicillin with Clavulanate for seven to ten days to prevent infection.

2) You can apply topical antibiotic cream or ointment on your affected area.

3) You can also apply a hot compress two to three times daily on that area to reduce inflammation and soreness.

As the dog is your wife's pet animal, it may be well vaccinated. For that reason, you may not need rabies shots. But, if your wife's dog is not vaccinated, then you must take post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies.

Take care. Let me know if I can assist you further.