Incorrect treatment of wounds leads to the development of serious complications. One of the most common is skin abscess. The pathological process is so dangerous that with untimely assistance, it can be fatal.
Description of the pathological process
Acute purulent inflammation can affect the skin on any part of the body. As a rule, this is a limited cavity surrounded by a membrane. Initially, such a shell reliably protects the remaining parts of the body from the spread of infection. However, with the accumulation of purulent masses, the risk of blood poisoning increases. An abscess under the skin is a pathological process that should not be ignored. Therapy should be carried out in a medical facility or at home in consultation with a doctor.
A skin abscess (according to ICD-10 L 02.0) is an unpleasant process, indicating a significant decrease in the body's defenses. In most cases, it is necessary to eliminate not only the source of infection, but also conduct general strengthening therapy.
Causes of the disease
Most often, staphylococci and streptococci act as pathogens of the pathological process. Purulent inflammation of the skin can also provoke other pathogenic bacteria. As a rule, the infection begins to multiply rapidly with improper treatment of the wound surface. Bacteria also penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis through microcracks. The risk of developing a disease increases if the body's defenses are reduced. Factors contributing to the development of skin abscess include diabetes, HIV, endocrine diseases, and chronic pathologies.
After pathogenic bacteria enter the deep layers of the epidermis, their rapid reproduction begins. A beneficial microflora is created for the living of pathogens. The immune system almost immediately begins to respond to changes in the state of the body. Blood vessels initially increase, swelling and redness appear on the skin. But the bacteria multiply rapidly, purulent masses are formed.
Furuncle
This is the most common type of skin abscess. The inflammatory process begins to develop in the hair follicle, passes through three stages. Initially, a red area appears in the affected area, a small swelling. Soreness is slightly expressed. The inflamed element becomes hard to the touch. If timely treatment is not started, the boil begins to expand in diameter. After 3-4 days, the skin abscess can reach 5 cm. Not only the hair follicle is inflamed, but also the surrounding tissue.
Due to the accumulation of pus, the boil gradually begins to rise above the surface of the skin. The epidermis becomes smooth, acquires a bluish tint. A fistula (a hole through which pus oozes) may appear in the center of the inflamed area.
As soon as the exudate begins to surface, the third stage of the development of the disease begins. In the center of the boil, a "crater" is formed, which is gradually filled with connective tissue. With proper treatment, scarring occurs after a few days. Acute pain occurs almost immediately after the release of purulent masses. The whole process of developing skin abscess takes up to 10 days. The stages of the inflammatory process can be longer with significantly weakened immunity.
Carbuncle
With this form of the pathological process, a purulent skin abscess will have a more pronounced symptom. Bacterial microflora begins to multiply rapidly simultaneously in several hair follicles at once. Most often, young men suffer from the pathological process. Carbuncle, as a rule, are localized on the back of the neck. The skin abscess in this case can reach impressive sizes (up to 15 cm in diameter).
Maturation of the carbuncle begins with the formation of several pustules on the surface of the epidermis. Further purulent masses are released through 2-3 holes. The exudate may have blood impurities. In the advanced stage, the carbuncle can not be cured with the help of medications alone. Most often, you have to resort to surgical intervention. Purulent skin abscess is accompanied by a significant deterioration in well-being. Body temperature rises to 40 degrees. At the same time, the risk of death is significantly increased. Under no circumstances should therapy be given at home.
Diagnosis of the disease
In most cases, patients seek help when the inflammatory process is already running. A skin abscess (boil and carbuncle) can be easily detected with a routine visual examination. During the examination, the doctor identifies the focus of the inflammatory process, checks the regional lymph nodes. A sharp increase in them may indicate the initial stage of development of lymphadenitis.
A microbiological examination of pus is necessarily performed. This technique allows you to determine which pathogen exactly had to face. Such measures are needed in order to choose the right antibiotic, taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora. However, a quality microbiological study requires several days. Therefore, drugs with a wide spectrum of action are always initially prescribed.
Drug therapy
If the patient promptly seeks help, it is possible to cope with inflammation with the help of tablets and anti-inflammatory ointments. Antibiotics can also be prescribed in the form of injections. Widely used are drugs such as Linkomycin, Ampicillin, Lyocin, etc.
With boils and carbuncles, external treatment of the affected surface should be carried out correctly. Skin abscess (ICD-10 refers the pathology to section L02, as already mentioned) cannot be cured without the use of antibiotics. Therefore, in addition to antiseptics, special antimicrobials are also used. Good results are shown by Levomekol. The role of the active component is chloramphenicol. This substance inhibits the activity of bacterial microflora, accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissue. The ointment is applied to a wound surface previously treated with an antiseptic twice a day.
Therapy of purulent skin diseases (abscess, carbuncle, boil) can be carried out using Vishnevsky Ointment, Ichthyol Ointment. But any medications should be used strictly in agreement with the doctor. When the inflammatory process can be stopped, physiotherapeutic procedures can be additionally prescribed. UHF helps accelerate the process of regeneration of damaged tissues.
Surgical intervention
With extensive inflammation of the skin and a significant deterioration in the patient’s well-being, surgery cannot be dispensed with. The operation is performed after the abscess is fully formed. Removing a small carbuncle or boil is a manipulation that takes no more than 20 minutes. In adult patients, intervention is performed with local anesthesia. General anesthesia is indicated for patients under 10 years of age.
With the help of the operation, it is possible to quickly eliminate the skin abscess. An antibiotic after surgery is prescribed as a prophylaxis. Thus, it is possible to prevent the development of bacterial microflora after opening the abscess. As a rule, a few hours after removal of pus and treatment of the wound surface, the patient can go home. If the patient does not feel well, the body temperature rises, a few more days must be in a medical facility.
Complications of skin abscess
An abscess on the skin is a disease that can be quickly cured if timely seek help. But self-medication can lead to the development of dangerous life-threatening complications. Against the background of furunculosis, regional lymphadenitis often develops - inflammation of the lymph nodes. The patient's body temperature rises sharply, swelling appears at the site of the lesion. The pathological process may be accompanied by heart palpitations, severe pain. Such symptoms are a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Sepsis is another dangerous complication of skin abscess. This is a serious condition in which pathogenic microflora gets to the blood and all body systems. Death can occur in a matter of days. Only with the help of massive antibiotic therapy can the disease be overcome. But in 40% of cases it is not possible to save a person.
Cosmetic defects are another nuisance that you have to face after skin abscess. As a rule, unattractive scars remain on the body.
Treatment Prediction and Prevention
With timely access to a doctor and properly prescribed treatment, it is completely possible to cope with the disease in 7-10 days. A few hours after the start of antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition improves significantly - the body temperature decreases, the pain subsides.
Prevention of skin abscesses consists in the correct treatment of the wound surface with antiseptic agents, strengthening the body's defenses.