In the article we will consider the symptoms and treatment of boils. This is a skin disease that is characterized by acute purulent and necrotic inflammation of the hair follicles and surrounding connective tissues. The main cause of the boil is a bacterial infection, mainly in the form of Staphylococcus aureus, less often the culprit is its white subspecies. Furunculosis is a massive, recurring and chronic disease. About what are the causes and how the treatment of boils is carried out, we will tell further.
General information
The place of occurrence of a boil can be located anywhere, with the exception of the soles of the feet and palms, but most often the boil is formed on the back of the head, and in addition, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe forearms, lower back, buttocks, abdomen or lower extremities. Particularly painful are boils in the ears, on the face, as well as those that appear on the genitals.
The prognosis for boils is usually positive, but there are still complications with this disease. There may be complications in the form of thrombosis,lymphadenitis or sepsis, so the formation of boils is considered a rather serious pathology. Boils have a certain seasonality. Most often they form in spring and also in autumn. In addition, doctors note that boils are often formed in men, while in children, on the contrary, they are rare.
Symptoms and treatment of boils are presented below.
The appearance of a boil
The development of boils can begin primarily on a he althy area of the skin, and also secondarily, when the pathology occurs against the background of other pathological conditions and diseases of the body, for example, with staphyloderma. The development of boils usually occurs in three stages, the duration of which, in the absence of additional complications, is up to ten days.
Furuncle at the first stage is characterized by the appearance of inflammation, in which a hard red seal with fuzzy boundaries appears in this place. At the site of inflammation, soreness with tingling may be felt. As the formation grows, this seal increases in size, in addition, it expands, and the tissues surrounding it noticeably swell. Treatment of a boil (pictured) should be started already at this stage.
In the second stage, which usually occurs on the third day, it is characterized by an expansion of up to two centimeters in diameter. A necrotic core forms in the center of the seal, and a pustule appears on the surface. In the process of suppuration, not only the follicle is involved, but also the sweat gland with connective tissue. At the same time, the vessels around it expand significantly, andswelling of collagen. Directly the form of formation acquires a conical shape. Inside it, collagen and elastic fibers are destroyed. Collagenized bundles form a thick ring inside the boil, which prevents the exit of infectious purulent formations into the body. This prevents further infection. In this regard, it is very important not to squeeze out the boil, as undesirable consequences can be provoked. The opening must be done correctly. Treatment of boils on the body should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Further, the skin in the area of inflammation acquires smoothness and a bluish tint, and the pain intensifies. In the case of the development of extensive lesions of the body with this infection (when there are many boils), a person may feel the symptoms of intoxication, which will be expressed by a general malaise. You may also experience weakness, nausea, lack of appetite, headaches, and fever up to thirty-eight degrees.
The second stage ends with a spontaneous or artificial opening of the pustule, as a result of which all the contents are released. The content of such a pustule is usually the presence of a yellow necrotic core with a purulent component and blood.
Furuncle in the third stage may be characterized by the appearance of an abscess in the area of opening, which is first filled with granulations, and after a couple of days, a scarring process occurs in this place. The scar is initially red, but then it turns white,becoming almost invisible. The entire cycle of the disease may have an erased character, for example, such a process sometimes takes place only with the formation of an infiltrate without the appearance of pus and necrosis. In other situations, a boil with a weakened immune system and other diseases acquires an abscessing or phlegmonous character.
The causes and treatment of a boil are of interest to many.
Reasons for appearance
The main cause of boils is an infection that is bacterial in nature, mainly Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is always present on the surface of the skin in humans, but due to immunity, in addition, with the normal functioning of other organs, as well as in the absence of violations of the integrity of tissues, staphylococcus can in no way harm he alth. It is important to emphasize that it is a weakened immune system that is the main cause of the formation of various pathologies. Thus, the development of a boil is obtained by a combination of two conditions: the presence of an infection along with pathological factors that can be external or internal. The external causes of the appearance of boils include the following factors:
- Presence of skin impurities.
- The appearance of skin defects in the form of microtraumas, cracks, cuts (especially during shaving), scratching with nails, rubbing with uncomfortable clothes, as well as shoes and the like.
- Regular poor nutrition of the body.
- Hypercooling or, conversely, overheating of the body.
- The body's exposure to constant stress.
Kinternal reasons for the appearance of boils include the following factors:
- Having reduced immunity.
- Development of excessive sweating.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Abuse of bad habits in the form of alcohol and smoking.
- The presence of anemia, otolaryngological diseases and beriberi along with problems of the endocrine and digestive systems can also affect the appearance of boils.
Symptoms of pathology
The main symptom of a boil is the formation of a red seal in the area of inflammation, which has a diameter of up to three centimeters. A pustule appears on the surface of such a formation over time. Inside there is a purulent core, sometimes with an admixture of blood. In some cases, boils get by only with the formation of reddened infiltrates. Among other symptoms, one can distinguish a feeling of soreness and tingling in the inflamed area, along with significant swelling of the surrounding tissues. If you have a weakened immune system, you may experience general malaise along with increased fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, and headache.
After rejection of necrotic tissue, healing occurs through scarring. Often, boils occur on the skin of the neck, and in addition, on the back of the head, face, back or hips. The appearance of boils is called furunculosis. And necrotic inflammation of the skin in medicine is commonly called carbuncles. In case of improper treatment of a boil on the face, a serious complication is likely to occur in the formpurulent meningitis or sepsis.
Probable Complications
Complications of a boil may be the following undesirable consequences:
- The appearance of furunculosis and carbuncle.
- Appearance of abscesses along with meningitis, arachnoiditis, phlebitis or sepsis.
- Development of phlegmon of the upper lip.
- Presence of sinus thrombosis.
- Development of lymphangitis, lymphadenitis or pyelonephritis.
The causes and treatment of boils on the body are interrelated.
Views
Classify boils according to the course of the disease and their origin:
- Downstream, the disease can proceed in an acute form, which is a classic development of a boil. There is also chronic furunculosis, which is characterized by a large number of manifestations. At the same time, there can be quite a lot of boils, each of which will be at a certain stage of its development.
- Directly by origin, the primary form is distinguished, in which the development of pathology occurs against the background of a violation of the integrity of the skin along with the penetration of infection into this area. And a secondary form of pathology is possible, when development occurs with already existing skin diseases, for example, with eczema or staphyloderma.
Is the alternative treatment of a boil effective? More on that later.
Diagnosis of pathology
Diagnosis of boils involves the following procedures:
- Physician performing a visual examination.
- Collecting anamnesisdiseases.
- Carrying out dermatoscopy along with bacteriological seeding of the contents of the boil.
As part of the implementation of additional diagnostic methods, the following procedures are carried out:
- Blood test, urine test, bacteriological culture and so on.
- Pharingoscopy, rhinoscopy and sinus radiography.
- Performing fluorography and ultrasound.
- Computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
Next, we will find out how this pathology is treated.
Treatment of boils
Treatment of such a phenomenon as a boil, first of all, depends on the stage of the inflammation process. At the first stage, during the infiltration period, ultraviolet irradiation is applied. On the second, in order to stop the infection, and in addition, for anesthesia, they put a blockade. As part of the blockade, the furuncle is cut around the circumference with special antibacterial solutions and novocaine. The injection is carried out in the surgical department. Among the most used antibiotics for the treatment of boils, drugs in the form of Amoxicillin, Methicillin, Oxacillin, Cefalexin and Erythromycin should be distinguished. The antibiotic is selected based on the diagnosis, as well as depending on the body's resistance to infections.
Together with antibacterial treatment of boils in intimate places in women, sulfonamides are often prescribed. To avoid an allergic reaction due tothe use of antibiotics, prescribe antihistamine drugs in the form of "Dimedrol", "Pipolfen" and "Suprastin". The effectiveness of the blockade in the standard course of the boil is usually characterized by a speedy recovery.
In order not to damage the inflamed area, a removable plaster splint is applied to the boil. This helps prevent the risk of tearing the protective ring that contains the pus. If there is no effectiveness of the blockade, and the direct inflammatory process with pain only intensifies, it is repeated a day later and so every day until the boil opens and the pus flows out. At the same time, a bandage with a one percent solution of silver nitrate is applied to the inflamed area, it needs to be changed daily.
A very effective means of pain relief, and at the same time disinfection and elimination of the inflammatory process as part of the treatment of a boil in intimate places is "Ichthyol". Hair is removed from the central region of the boil, and then ichthyol ointment is applied in a thick layer to the sore spot, on which loosened cotton wool is applied. After it dries, a so-called "ichthyol cake" is formed, which is easily washed off with warm water. These dressings should be done twice a day. But it should be noted that such lotions cannot be done on opened boils, as they can prevent the normal discharge of purulent contents.
What else does the treatment of a boil in intimate places involve? After opening, their cavity should be washeda three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, then apply a bandage with a solution of sodium chloride, this allows you to clean the damaged area from necrotic masses. The purulent core of the boil is removed only after its direct separation from the surrounding tissues.
It is extremely important to remember that you can not open boils by squeezing, as there is a very high probability of breaks in the protective ring. After that, the infection can spread throughout the body, which will cause a number of serious, and at the same time dangerous complications for the he alth of the body.
At the third stage, during healing after the extraction of the purulent mass, the skin around the boils should be treated with alcohol, brilliant green is also suitable. What ointment should be used to treat a boil?
You should apply a bandage with Vishnevsky's ointment, "Levomekol" is also suitable. The dressing should be changed every three days. In cases of granulation, an indifferent fatty dressing is applied, which includes fish oil along with sterile vaseline oil and synthomycin emulsion.
Surgical treatment is performed for complications of boils - the so-called phlegmon. Also, surgery is relevant in the presence of advanced forms of carbuncle, and in addition, with abscessing boils. This type of treatment for boils involves making an incision in the boil, followed by the extraction of its contents, after which the usual treatment regimen is used. Sometimes a complete excision of the boil is performed, after which stitches are applied.
Treatment of boils is carried out until completeresorption of the resulting infiltrate, otherwise the appearance of various complications is not excluded. Complicated boils are treated exclusively in a hospital setting. In the presence of furunculosis, as well as with other additional complications, comorbidities are treated. Additional treatments for boils are usually:
- Physiotherapy methods in the form of ultraviolet irradiation. It is also important to carry out infrared irradiation.
- The diet for this pathology includes, first of all, the restriction of spicy and fatty foods along with spices and alcoholic beverages.
- No less important is the appointment of taking vitamins with trace elements, which is necessary as part of strengthening the immune system and various body systems. It is extremely important to normalize metabolic processes, which will contribute to the rapid recovery of the patient.
- A very effective remedy in the presence of furunculosis is autohemotherapy.
- Also treat boils at home.
What is undesirable to do in the presence of a boil?
In the event of a boil, in no case should you do the following things:
- Squeeze out the seal, especially during its immediate ripening.
- Massage the area of inflammation with your fingers.
- Use warm poultice packs and other wet treatments.
Treatment of boils at home
Before using folk remedies for the treatment of boils, you shouldconsult with your doctor. Among the people, there are many different means that help deal with such a problem as boils. Here are some of them:
- Using an ointment for boils based on turmeric. This ointment has a pulling property. In order to prepare it, you need to take a spoonful of turmeric powder and mix it with the same amount of ginger. Next, add a spoonful of honey and s alt. Then everything is mixed and the mixture is wrapped in gauze, after which it is applied to the boil. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of boils with folk remedies, you should wrap the bandage with a film and fix it on top with a bandage.
- Preparation of wax ointment. It is necessary to melt the butter in a bowl, then add a little beeswax to it, the proportion should be four to one. Then the mixture is simmered over low heat and stirred until the wax dissolves. But the mass can not be brought to a boil. Apply a warm wax ointment in the form of a compress for two days without changing.
- The use of honey. Mix a spoonful of honey with flour and then bring the resulting mixture to the consistency of clay. Next, a cake made from this mass is applied to the boil, a bandage is applied and held until the abscess opens.
What other treatments for boils are known?
- Use of aloe. They take a large leaf of aloe, wash it, remove the thorns. Also, with a knife, you need to remove the top layer of the peel of the plant. Apply a sheet to the boil and fix it with a bandage. You need to change such a leaf twice a day until the boil is completely ripe and breaks through.
- Using plantain. The plant must be washed and folded in several layers, and then fixed with a bandage. The bandage should be changed every two hours until the abscess opens on its own.
Opened boils are treated with silver water, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or a remedy called "Chlorhexidine" are also suitable for this purpose. This is necessary so that the surrounding tissues can properly cleanse themselves of the infection. It should be noted that the above folk methods of treating a boil, according to the comments that people leave on the Internet, are quite effective and help to cope with such a problem quite well. There are various reasons for the appearance of this disease, but in order to avoid the formation of such a boil on the body, first of all, you should strengthen your immunity.
