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Causes
A pilonidal condition may be congenital or acquired. If congenital, it probably began as a defect that existed when you were born. Sometime later, the defect allowed an infection to develop. If acquired, it may be the enlargement of a simple hair follicle infection or the result of a hair penetrating the skin and causing an infection.
Risk Factors
The following factors increase your chance of developing a pilonidal abscess:
- Personal or family history of similar problems (eg, acne , boils, carbuncles, folliculitis, sebaceous cysts )
- Large amounts of hair in the region
- Tailbone injury
- Horseback riding, cycling