Over the past century, medicine has taken a huge step forward, times when entire cities could be destroyed by pathogenic bacteria are far behind. Currently, the use of antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action allows you to effectively stop the manifestations of infection or cure it completely. Nevertheless, even today no one is completely immune from diseases that, in the absence of proper and timely treatment, can cause disability or death. One of these diseases is phlegmon. Initially, it is not a fatal disease, but its progress is capable of provoking blood poisoning and thereby causing the death of the patient.
Nature phlegmon
Foot phlegmon is a disease of an infectious nature. With this disease, fatty tissue is damaged as a result of purulent inflammation. With pathology, the complete destruction of subcutaneous fatty tissue occurs . The intensity of the process directly depends on the severity of the disease, the presence of other diseases, the patient's immunity state. Compared with other pathologies of similar etymology, phlegmon lacks clearly defined localization boundaries, it penetrates much deeper than the skin. A characteristic feature of the disease is that the patient develops and develops a painful subcutaneous inflammation, manifested by swelling with purulent contents. In some cases, the process of inflammation is accompanied by chills and intense fever.
Pathogen
The causative agents of leg phlegmon (photo below) are pathogenic pathogenic bacteria of different species. Most often, Staphylococcus aureus acts as a pathogen. This microorganism provokes purulent inflammation both after infection with an open wound by the bacterium, and in the absence of damage to the skin. Staphylococcus aureus is not only the most common causative agent of phlegmon, but also the most destructive. If the disease has a severe course, the bacterium destroys the body tissues fantastically quickly. Untimely treatment or its complete absence inevitably leads to such serious consequences as sepsis and thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity.
Foot phlegmon can be triggered by other pathogenic bacteria, depending on the conditions and method of infection. Water and soil contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, infection of which can occur through a cut or deep scratch on the skin. As a result of a pet bite, phlegmon caused by the bacterium Pasturella multocida can develop. This pathogenic microorganism is found in excess in the organisms of cats and dogs. Contact with marine animals, crabs, and fish can catch the bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.
Consider the causes of phlegmon legs.
Causes of occurrence
The main reason phlegmon develops is when the pathogen enters the subcutaneous layer, where its active reproduction begins. This disease is a consequence of a weakened immune system under the influence of a variety of factors that contribute to the appearance of a gap in the body’s natural barrier. The infection process can occur in several ways and depends on the nature of the pathogen:
- Violation of the integrity of the skin. It is much easier for bacteria to get into the subcutaneous layer if there are bites, cuts, scratches, wounds on the skin. The risk of infection increases many times if the skin was damaged when cleaning fish or agricultural work.
- The presence in the body of inflammatory processes. Along with external factors, the cause of the development of phlegmon can be an inflammatory process that occurs inside the body. In this case, the pathogen passes from the focus of inflammation to the subcutaneous fat layer. The mediator is the lymphatic or circulatory system. Phlegmon can be triggered by inflammation in any organ.
- The presence of concomitant diseases. Diseases of a similar nature, such as purulent arthritis or osteomyelitis, can contribute to the development of phlegmon.
Indirect reasons
There are also a number of indirect reasons that contribute to the development of pathology. Foot phlegmon can develop against the background of a general depletion of the body due to a chronic disease, with diabetes, tuberculosis, AIDS. Such diseases significantly weaken the immune system, and therefore the likelihood of infection in negative conditions increases significantly. Intoxication against the background of drug addiction or chronic alcoholism also contributes to infection. It is important to note that the destructive power of phlegmon will be stronger, the weaker the person’s immunity.
If the person’s immunity is strong, then when the phlegmon appears, it will have a small localization and can pass without any treatment. An example is minor inflammation of scratches or cuts that do not pose a serious danger to the body.
How does phlegmon of the toe manifest itself?
Symptomatology
The course of the disease depends on the nature of its pathogenic pathogen. For example, when infected with putrefactive staphylococcus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a putrefactive type of phlegmon develops. When infected with obligate anaerobes, the pathology develops very aggressively, the symptoms appear rapidly. Virulence is weakly expressed when affected by weakened strains of the pathogen, which contributes to the chronic course of phlegmon, in which the symptoms are practically not manifested. Nevertheless, all types of pathology have common clinical signs by which the disease can be diagnosed.
With leg phlegmon, inflammation can always be observed. This is the most obvious sign of a disease. The affected area becomes swollen, there is a slight redness due to pus that has accumulated under the skin. Palpation of this area is painful, and its temperature is elevated.
Another symptom of leg phlegmon is swelling. Against the background of intoxication of tissues located near the site of infection, there is an extensive swelling of the limb.
General deterioration
The patient also notes a general deterioration in well-being. The spread of pathology and tissue destruction is accompanied by infiltration of nearby areas. The general condition of the infected person worsens, a strong fever occurs. In the absence of proper treatment, a severe degree of intoxication occurs.
It is important to note that under phlegmon a disease such as hemostatic dermatitis, which is not infectious, can be masked. It occurs when the blood supply in the affected area worsens.
Foot phlegmon treatment
Given the high likelihood of developing severe complications, treatment of phlegmon should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. Diseases tend to spread rapidly, so inadequate therapy can lead to extensive tissue infection, disability, and death. Treatment can be conservative (using antibiotics) or surgical. It depends on the nature of the pathogen that caused the disease and the stage of the disease. If the inflammation is superficial, and the disease is at an initial stage, treatment using the physiotherapeutic UHF procedure is allowed.
Surgical drainage
With putrefactive phlegmon, surgical drainage of inflammation is indicated. For this, incisions are made through which pus is removed. After the focus of inflammation has been removed, the patient is prescribed rehabilitation therapy, which includes taking antibiotics and using bactericidal dressings.
Therapy of superficial inflammation with phlegmon of the right leg or left, which is at the initial stage of development, can be carried out by intramuscular administration of potent antibiotics ("Gentamicin", "Ampioks", sodium salt of benzylpenicillin). For example, taking broad-spectrum antibiotics orally, such as Biseptolum, Sulfadimethoxinum, Ampicillinum.
Bed rest
During the treatment period, the patient is shown bed rest; rest should be provided to the injured limb. The area of inflammation must be heated with a heating pad. Symptomatic therapy allows the use of drugs that relieve soreness. This type of therapy must be agreed with a competent specialist, as only a doctor can accurately determine the degree of tissue inflammation. With independent treatment, extensive tissue damage as a result of the spread of a pathological disease to tissues located near the focus of inflammation is not ruled out.
Immunomodulation
After the site of inflammation of the purulent phlegmon of the leg has been eliminated, the patient is shown immunomodulation aimed at strengthening the protective barrier of the body. The patient must remember that after the cured phlegmon, the likelihood of re-infection remains. This is due to the increased sensitivity of the body to pathogens. Restorative therapy involves the rejection of bad habits, the transition to a special diet, taking immunomodulating medications, and conducting wellness procedures.
Phlegmon prevention measures
The main measure to prevent phlegmon is to avoid skin damage, especially if conditions are present that increase the risk of infection. Caution should be exercised when cleaning and cutting fish - mucus from scales when it enters the wound causes inflammation in almost 100% of cases.
A cut or scratch, if any, must be properly treated. In many cases, this avoids infection with pathogenic microorganisms. Injured skin should be immediately treated with an antiseptic - this may be a solution of brilliant green, iodine or alcohol. Then apply a sterile bandage dressing or bactericidal patch.
If there are foreign objects in the cut or scratch in the form of splinters or splinters, they must be removed. After that, the wound should also be treated with an antiseptic and a bandage. When the first signs of infection appear, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. This will allow you to start timely treatment and avoid the widespread spread of the inflammatory process.
Thus, subject to simple precautions, the risk of phlegmon is significantly reduced.
We examined the causes, symptoms and treatment of leg phlegmon.