📣 🔺 🚶 Causes, symptoms and treatment of boils 🕟 🔘 🏒

In the article, we 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 its white subspecies is the culprit. Furunculosis is a massive, recurring and chronic disease. We will discuss further what are the causes and how the treatment of boils is carried out.

General information

The place of occurrence of the boil can be located anywhere, with the exception of the sole of the legs and palms, but most often the boil is formed on the back of the head, and in addition, in the area of the forearms, lower back, buttocks, abdomen or lower extremities. Especially 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 ailment. Complications may occur in the form of thrombosis, lymphadenitis or sepsis, so the formation of boils is considered quite a serious pathology. Boils have a certain seasonality. Most often they form in the spring, as well as in the fall. In addition, doctors note that often boils form in men, but 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 healthy area of the skin, and also secondly, 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.

The boil in the first stage is characterized by the appearance of inflammation, in which a solid red seal with fuzzy borders appears in this place. At the site of inflammation, a tingling sensation can be felt. As the formation grows, this compaction increases in size, in addition, it expands, and the surrounding tissues swell noticeably. Treatment of a boil (in the photo) should begin 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. The process of suppuration involves not only the follicle, but also the sweat gland with connective tissue. In this case, the vessels around it expand significantly, and collagen edema can be observed. Directly, the form of formation takes on a conical shape. Inside it collagen and elastic fibers are destroyed. Collagenized bundles form a thick ring inside the boil, which prevents the infectious purulent formations from entering the body. Thus further infection is prevented. In this regard, it is very important not to squeeze the boil, since it is possible to provoke undesirable consequences. Autopsy should be done correctly. Treatment of boils on the body should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

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 by this infection (when there are many boils), a person can feel the symptoms of intoxication, which will be expressed by a general malaise. Weakness, nausea, lack of appetite, headaches and fever up to thirty-eight degrees can also be observed.

The second stage ends with a spontaneous or artificial option of opening the pustule, as a result of which all contents are released outward. The contents of such a pustule is usually the presence of a yellow necrotic rod with a purulent component and blood.

A boil in the third stage can be characterized by the appearance of an abscess in the autopsy area, which is first filled with granulations, and after a couple of days, a scarring process occurs in this place. The scar at first healing is red, but then it turns white, becoming almost invisible. The entire cycle of the disease can have an erased character, for example, such a process sometimes takes place only with the formation of infiltrate without the appearance of pus and necrosis. In other situations, a boil with a weakened immune system and other diseases becomes abscessed or phlegmonous in nature.

The causes and treatment of the boil are of interest to many.

Reasons for the appearance

The main cause of boils is an infection that has a bacterial nature, mainly - Staphylococcus aureus. On the surface of the skin in humans, this infection is always present, but due to immunity, in addition, with the normal functioning of other organs, as well as in the absence of tissue integrity, staphylococcus can in no way harm health. It is important to emphasize that it is the weakened immune system that is the main reason for the formation of various pathologies. Thus, boils develop when two conditions are combined: the presence of infection along with pathological factors that can be external or internal. The external factors of the appearance of boils include the following factors:

The presence of skin impurities.
The appearance of skin defects in the form of microtrauma, cracks, cuts (especially during shaving), combing with nails, rubbing with uncomfortable clothes, as well as shoes and the like.
Regular poor-quality nutrition of the body.
Hypothermia or, conversely, overheating of the body.
Exposure to constant stress.

The following factors are internal causes of boils:

The presence of reduced immunity.
The development of increased sweating.
Impaired metabolism.
Abuse of bad habits in the form of alcohol and smoking.
The presence of boils can also affect the presence of anemia, otolaryngological diseases and vitamin deficiency along with problems of the endocrine and digestive systems.

Symptoms of pathology

The main symptom of the boil is the formation in the area of inflammation of the red seal, which has a diameter of up to three centimeters. On the surface of such a formation, a pustule appears over time. Inside there is a purulent rod sometimes mixed with blood. In some cases, boils only cost the formation of reddened infiltrates. Among other symptoms, one can distinguish a feeling of pain and tingling in the inflamed area along with significant swelling of the surrounding tissues. In the presence of weakened immunity, general malaise can be observed along with increased fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, fever and headache.

After rejection of necrotic tissue, healing occurs by scarring. Often boils occur on the skin of the neck, and in addition, on the back of the head, face, back or hips. The occurrence of boils is called furunculosis. And necrotic inflammation of the skin in medicine is called carbuncles. In the case of improper treatment of a boil on the face, a serious complication in the form of purulent meningitis or sepsis is likely.

Probable complications

The following undesirable consequences may be complications of a boil:

The appearance of furunculosis and carbuncle.
The appearance of abscesses along with meningitis, arachnoiditis, phlebitis or sepsis.
The development of phlegmon of the upper lip.
The presence of sinus thrombosis.
The development of lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, or pyelonephritis.

The causes and treatment of boils on the body are interconnected.

Views

Boils are classified according to the course of the disease and their origin:

The course of the disease can occur in acute form, which is a classic development of the boil. There is also chronic furunculosis, which is characterized by a large number of manifestations. In this case, there can be quite a lot of boils, each of which will be at a certain stage of its development.
The primary form is distinguished directly by origin, in the framework of 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 the development occurs with already existing skin diseases, for example, with eczema or staphyloderma.

Is alternative treatment for a boil effective? About it further.

Pathology diagnostics

Diagnosis of boils involves the following procedures:

Performing a visual examination by a doctor.
Collection of medical history.
Dermatoscopy along with bacteriological culture of the contents of the boil.

As part of the implementation of additional diagnostic methods, the following procedures are performed:

Blood, urine test, bacteriological culture and so on.
Conducting pharyngoscopy, rhinoscopy and radiography of the sinuses.
Performing fluorographic and ultrasound examinations.
Carrying out computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.

Next, we find out how the therapy of this pathology is carried out.

Boil Treatment

The treatment of such a phenomenon as a boil, first of all, depends on the stage of the inflammation process. In the first stage, ultraviolet radiation is used during the infiltration period. On the second, in order to stop the infection, and in addition, they block the anesthetic. As part of the blockade, the boils are circumcised 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, it is worth highlighting drugs in the form of Amoxicillin, Methicillin, Oxacillin, Cephalexin and Erythromycin. The antibiotic is selected on the basis of diagnosis, as well as depending on the body's resistance to infections.

Together with the antibacterial treatment of boils in intimate places in women, sulfonamides are often prescribed. In order to avoid an allergic reaction due to the use of antibiotics, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of Diphenhydramine, 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 cast is applied to the boil. This helps prevent the risk of rupture of the protective ring in which the pus is located. If the effectiveness of the blockade is absent, and the inflammatory process itself with pain only intensifies, it is repeated after a day and so every day until the boil is opened and 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 "Ichthyolum". Hair is taken from the central area of the boil, and then ichthyol ointment is applied in a thick layer to the sore spot, on which loose cotton is applied. After it dries, the so-called "ichthyol cake" is formed, which is easily washed off with warm water. Such dressings should be done twice a day. But it should be noted that such lotions can not be done on open boils, since they can interfere with the normal discharge of purulent contents.

What else involves the treatment of a boil in intimate places? After opening, their cavity should be washed with a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, then a bandage with a solution of sodium chloride is applied, this allows you to clean the damaged area from necrotic masses. The purulent rod of the boil is removed only after its direct separation from the surrounding tissues.

It is extremely important to remember that boils cannot be opened by extrusion, since there is a very high probability of breakthroughs of the protective ring. After this, the infection can spread throughout the body, which will cause a number of serious, and at the same time dangerous complications for the health of the body.

In the third stage, during healing after removing the purulent mass, the skin around the boils should be treated with alcohol, and greenback is also suitable. What ointment is used to treat a boil?

A bandage with Vishnevsky ointment should be applied, and Levomekol is also suitable. The dressing should be changed every three days. In cases of granulation, an indifferent dressing is applied, which includes fish oil along with sterile liquid paraffin and synthomycin emulsion.

Surgical treatment is carried out with complications of boils - the so-called phlegmon. Surgery is also relevant in the presence of advanced forms of the carbuncle, and in addition, with abscessed boils. This type of treatment for boils involves performing a section of the boil with the subsequent extraction of its contents, after which the usual treatment regimen is used. Sometimes a complete excision of the boil is carried out, after which they stitch.

Treatment of the boil is carried out until the formed infiltrate is completely resorbed, otherwise the appearance of various complications is possible. Complicated boils are treated exclusively in a hospital setting. In the presence of furunculosis, as well as with other additional complications, concomitant pathologies are treated. Additional methods for treating boils usually become:

Physiotherapy methods in the form of ultraviolet radiation. It is also important to carry out infrared radiation.
Diet with 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 vitamins with trace elements, which is necessary in the framework 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 tool in the presence of furunculosis is autohemotherapy.
Also, they treat the boil at home.

What is undesirable to do with 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 maturation.
Massage the area of inflammation with your fingers.
Use warming compresses with poultices and perform other wet procedures.

Treatment of a boil at home

Before using traditional methods of therapy for boils, you should consult your doctor. The people there are many different means that help to deal with such a problem as boils. Here are some of them:

The use of ointments from boils based on turmeric. This ointment has a drawing property. In order to cook 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 salt. 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 dressing with a film and fix it with a bandage on top.
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 cannot be brought to a boil. Apply a warm wax ointment in the form of a compress for two days without a change.
The use of honey. Mix a spoonful of honey with flour and then bring the resulting mixture to a clay consistency. Next, apply a cake, molded from this mass, to the boil, apply a bandage and hold until the abscess is opened.

What other treatments for boils are known?

The use of aloe. 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 the leaf to the boil and fix it with a bandage. You need to change such a sheet twice a day until the boil finally ripens and breaks.
The use of plantain. The plant needs to be washed and folded in several layers, then fixed with a bandage. The dressing 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 drug called "Chlorhexidine" is also suitable for these purposes . This is necessary so that the surrounding tissue can properly cleanse itself of infection. It should be noted that the above-mentioned folk methods for treating a boil, according to the comments that people leave on the Internet, are quite effective and help to cope with such a problem. There are various reasons for the appearance of this ailment, but in order to avoid the formation of such a boil on the body, first of all, you should strengthen your immunity.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of boils