The neck is the most vulnerable organ on the body. Of course, the appearance of a boil on the neck causes unbearable, very strong pain, it is very difficult for a person to turn his head normally. But what causes this condition? And how to treat a boil on the neck (photo of drugs - next)? Let's figure it out.
Reasons for the appearance
A furuncle (boil in simple language), which develops in the neck, in most cases can appear in humans due to insufficient quality hygiene: rare trips to the bathroom, injuring the skin of the neck with hot or cold water. In some cases, the appearance of furunculosis occurs as a result of minor injuries and microtrauma resulting from excessive scratching of the neck.
An important cause of a boil on the neck is the presence of immunodeficiency. Staphylococcal microflora as a result provokes the appearance of a purulent and inflammatory process. Bacteria quickly penetrate the follicle, provoking furunculosis.
In addition, there are some other reasons that provoke the formation of suppuration on the neck:
- frequent illnesses;
- bad habits;
- weak immunity;
- lack of hygiene;
- insufficient amount of vitamins in the body;
- hormonal disorders;
- insufficiently good work of the adrenal glands, endocrine system;
- hypothermia, and, conversely, overheating of the neck;
- diabetes;
- chronic diseases (psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer);
- exhaustion, unbalanced diet.
An important role in the occurrence of furunculosis on the neck is played by the world of work: with a deteriorated production environment where the patient works, the risk of developing a boil is very high, especially due to the presence of harmful substances in the air, cement or metal dust.
Ripening process
It is quite difficult to determine the presence of a boil in a person in advance, since at the initial stage the course of furunculosis has practically no symptoms. After about 4 days, the site of localization of this formation swells and can become cone-shaped. In the middle of the red tubercle appears pustules, or necrotic stem, is a white dot, which is formed due to suppuration of the follicle or necrosis of the tissues of the neck.
So that the pustules could go out on their own, you need to wait about 2 more days until it "ripens". After this, the surgeon must open the boil and release pus, a necrotic core and a small amount of blood from it. The formed and sufficiently cleaned “funnel” can be filled with special tissue, drag on and eventually leave a small scar.
After the formation of the boil in a person, a scar and a small scar are formed. It is impossible to stop this process, since part of the cells during the development of the boil is excreted only with pus.
Danger boil
As noted above, the neck is a rather dangerous place on which furunculosis can develop. The fact is that with untimely treatment, pus can enter directly into the brain, leading to rather dangerous purulent meningitis. When a boil is launched, the disease can flow into a chronic form, also affecting nearby skin.
That is why doctors say that you can not remove the boil, as this can contribute to the spread of staphylococcal infection. Doctors do not recommend even touching him, and it is worth noting that it is quite difficult to do this, since every touch will cause unbearable pain to a person.
Symptoms of the disease
The main sign that accurately indicates the development of the boil is the presence of an infiltrate: the skin begins to redden, and the formation acquires a small volume, which indicates the onset of an inflammatory disease in the neck. In appearance, the boil looks like the most common acne, which does not cause particular suspicion.
The entire process of furunculosis in each patient is characterized by individual symptoms:
- weakness;
- headache;
- the skin around the boil is hot and red, the diameter of the inflammation increases;
- some swelling;
- insomnia;
- the appearance of other boils;
- emotional instability;
- fever;
- loss of appetite;
- severe neck pain;
- swelling;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
Over time, pain intensifies, and it becomes difficult for a person to move his head due to accumulation of pus. Stripes of red or even brown color may also appear, which diverge from formation, a pustule is visible. General weakness and dizziness may develop.
Methods for treating a boil on the neck at home
Effective treatment of a boil that occurs on the neck should be performed under the supervision of a doctor. A single boil located on the neck should be regularly disinfected and disinfected with salicylic acid or essential oil. The hairline on the neck needs to be cut off.
In most cases, antibiotics are prescribed to the patient, which will effectively eliminate this formation and prevent the possible spread of pus in the surrounding tissues and organs.
Antibiotic therapy
Typically, the patient is prescribed antibiotics of the cephalosporin group, such as:
- "Cefazolin" with antimicrobial and bactericidal action. The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is achieved within an hour. This drug is not prescribed for newborn children and pregnant women, as well as with pronounced sensitivity to cephalosporin.
- Ceftriaxone is a more modern drug that has antimicrobial and bactericidal properties. The maximum antibiotic concentration is reached after about 3 hours. The drug is prescribed with caution to people with kidney and liver failure, in certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Ointment treatment
In the case of the development of a single boil, it is possible to use local remedies - ointments - with a certain amount of antibiotics. These funds are applied directly to the boil in a small layer in the morning and evening. It is also possible to use applications by making a gauze swab that is attached with a patch.
Usually prescribed ointments:
- Oflokain, which has an analgesic and antimicrobial effect.
- Tetracycline ointment with an antibiotic, which is characterized by exposure to bacteria, leading to the appearance of furunculosis.
- “Levomekol” is an effective combined preparation with antimicrobial effects, promoting skin regeneration.
- Vishnevsky's ointment accelerates the maturation of pustules and the boil as a whole, as a result of which it stretches much faster.
- "Bactroban" perfectly fights against Staphylococcus aureus due to its powerful antibacterial properties. The drug is applied to the affected area of the neck several times a day for 8-10 days.
Pills
Antibiotics in the form of tablets are prescribed for the treatment of recurrent or primary furunculosis in the neck. Since staphylococcus has an increased resistance to antibacterial agents, tablets are selected after a microbiological examination for sensitivity. So, apply:
- “Cephalexin” is a preparation of the cephalosporin group. Tablets must be taken at strictly defined intervals, since otherwise the effect of their intake will be reduced. Side effects include possible intestinal and stomach dysfunction, hand tremors, and dizziness.
- "Lincomycin" has an effective bacteriostatic effect and increased activity to many types of bacteria. Side effects can sometimes occur: allergic or pressure surges.
Surgery
After identifying a boil in the neck in a hospital, the patient is prescribed UV radiation and chipping of the affected area of the neck with novocaine and antibiotics.
Surgery does not cause the patient much pain, since the entire procedure is performed under anesthesia. After complete removal of pus, you need to smear the wound with special ointments for a certain period of time to accelerate the healing of the postoperative wound, for example, Solcoseryl.
Alternative treatment
You can apply an ichthyol cake made of soft cotton wool and ichthyol ointment to the boil daily. Turmeric and sulfur have become very popular among folk methods for treating boils. Sulfur can be freely purchased in powder form in pharmacies, and it is used internally.
Turmeric is sold in every store in the spice department. At the initial stage, the use of garlic is shown, the juice of which must be carefully wiped with the abscess that appears.
What can not be done
Incorrect treatment of furunculosis often leads to a variety of complications. If a disease is detected, it is strictly impossible:
- massage the area of the boil to avoid complications and the spread of infection;
- do hot lotions, compresses and other warming procedures that can cause maceration of the affected skin;
- squeeze a boil, since the outflow of blood on the neck passes through the veins of the brain;
- bathe with a purulent wound in order to avoid the development of blood poisoning;
- for the duration of the illness, it is worth taking a sick leave at work, as suppuration can be dangerous for other people and children.
Total
A boil is an education that is much easier to prevent than to treat it later. The main key to a successful recovery is the timely diagnosis of this ailment. It is worth contacting the doctor to determine the causes and treatment of the boil on the neck, because if all the conditions are met, it will be possible to recover much faster. You should not start the process of suppuration, so as not to encounter more dangerous complications!