Hydradenitis, which is popularly called the udder, is an inflammatory, acute disease that affects the sweat glands. As you know, the sweat glands of the human body are heterogeneous, have different types in their localization and structure.
general information
Considering what hydradenitis is, it should be noted that in this case we are talking about dangerous glands. They are located in the area of the genitals, auditory canal, anal external opening, but are most affected and concentrated precisely in the area of the armpits. These are quite large formations that produce a matte liquid, which contains a large amount of lipids, in particular cholesterol. The secreting active cells of these glands often independently appear in the composition of this fluid. So, let's take a closer look at what hydradenitis is, what are the symptoms of this disease. In addition, in this article you can find information on how to cure the disease.
What is hydradenitis?
Hydradenitis is called purulent deep inflammation of sweat apocrine glands. In most cases, the disease occurs during puberty, as well as in women during the menopause, during which they have a hormonal imbalance.
Answering the question of what is hydradenitis, it should also be noted that most often the disease is unilateral, but there is also a bilateral type of ailment. Mostly inflammation develops in the armpit area, less often - near the nipples, as well as in the anus or genital area.
Reasons for the appearance
The main reason for the development of hydradenitis under the arm, the photo of which is presented in this article, is the presence of white and golden staphylococcus. When they enter the excretory ducts of the sweat gland, these bacteria multiply. The ducts of the sweat glands are blocked by a horn plug. It also produces a secret that has no way out, so it stretches the gland. All the accumulated secret is considered an ideal breeding ground in which bacteria can multiply. The sweat glands become inflamed, causing the duct to rupture. As a result, the infection spreads to nearby tissues, forming fistulous passages.
But the entry of staphylococci is observed only under the conditions of predisposing factors, which should include:
- Increased sweating.
- The presence of microtrauma of the skin, which were obtained due to careless combing or shaving.
- Weakened immune system.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene.
- Endocrine diseases, which include exogenous-constitutional obesity, diabetes mellitus.
In the photo of hydradenitis under the arm, you can see how it is localized in this zone. Most often, it occurs in women. In old age, the development of the disease is almost not found, because during this period the sweat glands function poorly.
Types of disease
In the field of medicine, several forms of axillary hydradenitis are distinguished. Let's consider them separately.
So, acute purulent hydradenitis develops due to blockage of the apocrine sebaceous and sweat glands. Among patients with this form of the disease, people who poorly care for their armpits are registered. Also this form of the disease can occur in the groin. Hydradenitis occurs as a typical inflammation in the human body with an increase in body temperature, which can sometimes reach 38 degrees, malaise, discomfort, which develops into soreness in the affected area. The purulent form is very dangerous for the patient's life if he does not seek treatment from a specialist.
Chronic Hydradenitis
Chronic hydradenitis in the groin or in the armpit is often called a relapsing form, characterized by a purulent process. As a rule, this process takes a long time. The disease most often manifests itself at certain intervals with a purulent acute phase. The area of those apocrine glands that were affected by inflammation begins to increase. If there is no therapy for a purulent process, then this can provoke septic consequences that threaten the patient's life.
Nodular hydradenitis
If the patient provides adequate care for his armpits, but the skin is injured due to inaccurate shaving, wounds and scratches become open for staphylococcal or other types of pathogenic microflora to enter. In this case, nodular hydradenitis begins to develop, which can develop in the absence of treatment into a purulent form.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of hydradenitis (in ICD-10 whose code is L73) begin to manifest themselves gradually. In places of inflammation, there is a sensation of the presence of goiter, and a painful swelling that is dense to the touch is formed, the diameter of which ranges from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters. Over time, the size of this swelling increases, as does the pain. The skin becomes a crimson-red hue. In the center of the neoplasm, the tissues soften, open, and purulent contents are released through this hole. The cycle of development of such an infiltrate lasts from 10 to 15 days. As a result, hydradenitis formation ends with the appearance of a scar. Quite often, the adjacent sweat glands are involved in the entire inflammatory process.
With a sequential lesion of new sweat glands, inflammation can drag on for a month or more. Hydradenitis (ICD-10 L73) is often accompanied by signs of general intoxication, cephalgia, hyperthermia, leukocytosis.
Possible consequences
If the disease is left to chance or treated inappropriately, then hydradenitis will cause the patient a number of complications. First of all, these complications of axillary hydradenitis should include:
- Lymphadenitis, which is an inflammatory process of the lymph nodes that are in the armpit area. Lymphadenitis develops due to the pathogen entering the lymph nodes. Further, a lesion in the lymph node system is fraught with lymphostasis.
- Generalization of the process. In this case, pathogens go beyond the borders of the sweat glands, and then spread to nearby tissues (both in the distance and in breadth). This occurs through connective tissue jumpers, tendons. It is especially dangerous when the purulent process affects the bone tissue and periosteum. This disease is called osteomyelitis. It is very difficult to treat.
- In advanced cases, sepsis may occur, that is, blood poisoning.
Diagnostics
Before treating hydradenitis, it is necessary to carry out a number of some diagnostic procedures. Diagnosis begins with an oral examination of the patient, as well as examination. This disease is indicated by a characteristic region of localization of the neoplasm, the appearance of puffiness, as well as possible concomitant signs. The doctor should distinguish the defeat of sweat glands from other diseases that have a similar clinic. These include:
- A boil that has a purulent shaft.
- Carbuncle, which is a cluster in a limited area of several boils.
- Phlegmon, which is a purulent inflammation of the deep layer of the skin.
- Complicated atheroma, infection of the sebaceous gland.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes, lymphadenitis.
It is also necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures of another form of hydradenitis, the ICD code of which will differ - the opposite. It develops against a background of severe acne. The existing seal in the duct of the sebaceous gland compresses the sweat, which provokes the onset of the inflammatory process. This type of disease is characterized by a relapsing course, and therapy is based on the elimination of the root cause. During lactation, seals at the initial stage of development with hydradenitis are also similar to areas of milk accumulation due to obstruction of the ducts on the nipple.
Treatment features
Hydradenitis at home is successfully treatable. However, this must be done at the stage of compaction formation. In addition, in parallel with the use of traditional medicine recipes, experts prescribe the use of medications.
If there is pain and a small nodule in the armpit, the specialist prescribes local therapy. To do this, the affected area and skin near the infiltrate are carefully treated with alcohol several times a day to destroy the pathogenic bacteria present on the surface of the skin. This will also prevent the spread of the inflammatory process to nearby sebaceous glands.
What more needs to be done?
2 times a day, a compress with Dimexide should be applied to the site of the lesion. During treatment, the patient must eliminate stress, physical activity, carefully monitor hygiene, eat foods rich in protein.
As for the already ripened hydradenitis, its treatment is carried out with the help of surgical intervention. A simple opening of a purulent form of the disease, as well as drainage, will not bring a positive result. In this case, a large number of microabscesses will remain in the lesion focus, which will later mature. Surgery involves a wide incision, which passes through the infiltrate up to healthy tissues.
Pay attention to the fact that with the development of a purulent form of hydradenitis, you can not do without the use of antibiotics. Speaking about which antibiotics are used for hydradenitis, it is worth noting that only a doctor should prescribe them, based on the individual characteristics of the patient's body, age, course of the disease and other factors. The duration of therapy lasts at least a week. To accelerate the maturation of the abscess, special dressings are applied with ointment from hydradenitis, for example, Ichthyolova or Vishnevsky.
Traditional medicine recipes
In parallel with the use of medications, a specialist can prescribe the use of traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of this disease. Consider the most effective of them:
- Fresh celery leaves must be washed under warm water, knead, and then applied to the affected area several times a day.
- Leaves of fresh plantain thoroughly knead in the hands, so that they begin to secrete juice. After that, they should be applied to the formed hydradenitis in the armpit for about 20 minutes. This procedure is carried out 4 times a day. Also pay attention to the fact that freshly squeezed plantain juice has excellent efficiency.
- The leafy plates of a tree-like aloe are thoroughly washed under warm water, cut lengthwise, and then applied to the affected area. The leaf plates of this plant alone cannot cure the disease, but they have a pronounced bactericidal effect and are well combined with other therapies.
- One teaspoon of chamomile, eucalyptus, sage or calendula flowers should be poured with one glass of boiling water. After this, the solution is filtered, during the day it is infused. The resulting product is washed the inflamed area several times a day.
If you have been diagnosed with hydradenitis, then traditional medicine recipes can successfully replace surgical methods, but before using such therapy, you should definitely consult your specialist, as there may be contraindications.
Dieting
In the treatment of hydradenitis, a certain diet should be followed. For this, all flour, sweets, smoked and spicy dishes, alcoholic drinks are excluded from the diet: after all, these products increase the blood sugar level. In addition, they enhance the inflammatory process, leading to various kinds of complications.
Physiotherapy
A disease such as hydradenitis can also be cured with physiotherapeutic procedures. As a rule, the following events are assigned:
- Ultra-high-frequency therapy, which helps to eliminate inflammation and the disappearance of infiltrate. This procedure is prescribed in cases where the neoplasm is surrounded by a dense infiltrate, and its center is not prone to softening. In this case, physiotherapy should be accompanied by antibiotics, which are prescribed by the doctor.
- Sun baths that are taken for 30 minutes. They can also be replaced by warming with a special blue lamp that is used for 5 minutes. At the same time, it is placed at a distance of about 20 cm from the neoplasm. The fact is that dry heat improves blood circulation, and also contributes to the resorption of existing seals.
- Centimeter-wave therapy will improve microcirculation, relieve swelling, reduce signs of the inflammatory process, and also increase the protective properties of the skin.
- X-ray therapy is carried out in order to destroy the inflammatory process in the sweat glands in case of recurrent hydradenitis.
- Local ultraviolet radiation provokes the death of bacteria, and also increases the local immune system, the resistance of the skin to infections.
Please note: if cavities filled with pus have formed inside the focus of the inflammatory process, then the heating procedures described above are strictly prohibited.