There is simply a huge number of varieties of inflammatory diseases of the skin. Some of them pass by themselves very quickly, while others require long-term treatment. In this article, we will talk about what carbuncles are, and also find out what are the causes of their occurrence and distinguishing features, and get acquainted with the features of their treatment. Carefully read the information presented in order to arm yourself and protect yourself as much as possible. Causes, treatment and photos of the carbuncle are very important information that every patient should be familiar with. So let's get started.
What are carbuncles
Carbuncle is called acute inflammatory processes that occur in the skin and are necrotic-purulent in nature. Such an abscess affects several hair follicles, as well as sebaceous glands and nearby subcutaneous tissue.
Most often, such a pathology arises as a result of the active activity of the staphylococcus bacteria, the activity of which is usually accompanied by a greatly weakened body immunity. Most often, carbuncles occur on the face, as well as the back, neck and buttocks. Moreover, according to doctors, this disease is most often found in a strong half of humanity. In addition, the disease usually begins to progress in the summer, but there are exceptions. There is also such a thing as emphysematous carbuncle. Such a disease occurs in animals and most often leads to their death.
The main causes of this education
We have already found out what carbuncles are. Now it’s worth understanding what are the causes of such an unpleasant and painful phenomenon. As mentioned above, the main cause of the development of carbuncles is considered to be the active life of staphylococcal infection. However, sometimes streptococci also join staphylococci. And then the disease has a mixed character. However, doctors recorded cases when the disease was caused by Escherichia coli, proteins, anaerobes, and also enterococci. If a person suffers from increased production of sebum, as well as increased sweating, then the most favorable conditions for existence will be created for bacteria, which means that they will begin their rapid activity. Pathogens can also penetrate the skin through microtrauma and abrasion of the skin. If a person's immune system is weakened, then pathogenic microorganisms will begin to multiply with tremendous acceleration. Failures of metabolic processes in the body, such as obesity, diabetes and others, will also contribute to this.
What are the main symptoms of this pathology
Many people are interested in what carbuncle is and how to recognize it. In fact, this formation is not difficult to recognize, since it has quite pronounced symptoms.
Most often, carbuncles appear alone. Typically, patients find them on the face, back of the neck, and also between the shoulder blades, since it is in these places that the sebaceous glands work especially actively, which means that ideal conditions are created for the pathogenic microflora. Of course, the skin can be affected on the extremities, but in practice this is quite rare.
As soon as the carbuncle begins to develop, it consists of several small tubercles that are located very close to each other. Each of these tubercles is an inflamed hair follicle.
Over time, these follicles will become more and more inflamed, and thus the tubercles will merge into one large inflammation of the skin. If the patient did not go to the hospital on time, then the inflammation can be simply gigantic, up to the size of a child’s palm.
The carbuncle has a bluish-red hue and is hot to the touch. Such signs indicate the progression of inflammatory processes. Over time, the inflammation will increase more and more, and the patient will experience more and more painful sensations, which will be simply intolerant when pressing on the affected area.
Quite often, the symptoms of this disease are fever, as well as weakness, loss of appetite, headache and general malaise. In some cases, patients also complained of bouts of vomiting and nausea.
The skin carbuncle is considered ripe when several pustules mature on its surface, which open up over time, and through them a purulent-necrotic mass of a yellow-green hue emerges onto the surface. Over time, more and more tissues will succumb to necrosis and a deep ulcer forms in the place of accumulation of purulent fluid, which in the most advanced cases can reach the muscles as well. Typically, this stage lasts about two to three weeks, after which gradual healing begins. Please note that after the carbuncle on the skin there will be a large ugly scar that will consist of soldered surrounding tissues.
Possible complications
Carbuncle can cause complications, so it is very important to identify and begin to treat this ailment in a timely manner. Most often, complications arise in cases where infectious processes begin to move from the lesion to other tissues. According to doctors, the infection can spread not only through the skin, adipose and muscle tissue, but also into the systemic circulation. And it can be fatal.
Most often, complications arise precisely in those patients who did not treat carbuncle at all (photos of this inflammation are not very attractive) or did it wrong using various folk methods.
The most common complication is infection of nearby tissues. However, in this case, not everything is so simple. If the infection spreads to the bone, then it can cause such a dangerous disease as osteomyelitis. If the inflammatory processes affect the blood vessels, this will lead to thrombophlebitis, as well as inflammation of the vein walls. If an infection enters the lymphatic vessels, their inflammation is not excluded. In the presence of other concomitant factors, the infection may become erysipelas.
The most terrible are carbuncles, which are located on the face. The danger lies in the fact that it is on the face of the vessels that are very close to the brain, which means that their infection can lead to meningitis.
Consider, if blood poisoning occurs, this will lead to sepsis, and he, in turn, will be fatal.
Diagnostic Features
Carbuncle is very important to start treatment on time in order to prevent the occurrence of very dangerous consequences. Be sure to consult a dermatologist to accurately determine the diagnosis, as well as the appointment of the most optimal therapy.
Usually, an ailment is diagnosed very simply by a qualified specialist, since the disease can easily be determined by appearance. However, only visual information is not enough, since there is a likelihood of confusing this ailment with another, for example, anthrax. It is very important to take an analysis for sowing in order to determine which pathogen caused the development of this infection. After the diagnosis, the doctor will be able to tell the patient what treatment methods will be most optimal for him.
Treatment features
The causes and treatment of the carbuncle are interconnected (a photo of this disease in the last stages of many people can plunge into shock). Remember, carbuncle is not so easy to cure. Usually, doctors prescribe conservative or surgical methods to their patients to eliminate it. The choice of treatment method will depend on the stage of the disease, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient.
Conservative methods include the use of antibiotics, antiseptics, immunomodulators, as well as the use of various physiotherapeutic procedures. But the method of surgical intervention will involve opening the carbuncle, as well as its removal and drainage.
Features of conservative treatment
The carbuncle code according to ICD-10 has LO2. With this code you can find the disease in the international classification of diseases.
You can treat carbuncle at home using conservative methods. However, this can only be done if you contacted a dermatologist, and he allowed you to. You can treat carbuncles at home if the inflammation is not very large, and also is not on the face. If the focus of inflammation is large enough, and even accompanied by an increase in body temperature and other adverse symptoms, this suggests that the patient should be hospitalized in a hospital urgently.
So, the use of antibacterial drugs with a wide spectrum of effects should be attributed to conservative methods of treatment. They are usually used orally, and if necessary topically, in the form of chipping of inflamed areas. Usually, antibiotic therapy lasts about two weeks. If a person suffers from painful sensations, then the doctor will prescribe analgesics for him. If the drugs were chosen correctly, then the person will feel much better within three days.
Surgical method
Unfortunately, most often patients go to the hospital exactly when the disease has already managed to acquire an advanced stage. That is, a pustule has already formed (in other words, a purulent head).
We already learned which code has a carbuncle according to ICD-10. Now we will consider how the treatment process proceeds using the surgical method. If the doctor prescribes this particular method for you, do not be afraid, as the operation will be performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel anything. Carbuncle removal is carried out in several stages. Let's consider them in more detail:
- first, the affected area is treated with an anesthetic, and an analgesic is introduced - Novocain;
- then an incision is made of the skin directly above the focus itself up to normal, intact tissues;
- then, the entire purulent-necrotic mass is excised;
- after this, the wound is washed with a special antibacterial solution.
If the affected surface was very large, you may be ordered by a doctor to have a re-examination to exclude all possible risks. Depending on how the carbuncle looks after surgery, the doctor will tell you how long you need to go to dressings, and also if necessary, prescribe additional treatment.
Immunomodulators
If you have purulent inflammation of the skin, then this indicates that your immune system is malfunctioning. Looking at the photo, what looks like a carbuncle, you can understand that this disease is caused by severe infectious processes. And they, in turn, appeared in the body for a reason.
As you know, carbuncles occur if the human body can not resist infections due to a weak immune system. In this case, doctors recommend that their patients take drugs that stimulate the body's defenses along with antibacterial drugs. These include medicines such as Timogen, Derinat, and many others. If the case is very severe, then the doctor may appoint the patient to conduct a blood transfusion using anti-staphylococcal antibodies.
In order for the skin to heal as quickly as possible, it is recommended to take vitamins A, C, as well as B6.
Features of physiotherapy
Carbuncle and abscesses can also be treated using physiotherapeutic methods. The use of ultraviolet radiation with antibacterial properties has an excellent therapeutic effect.
Physiological methods also include the use of a laser already during the healing of the carbuncle. Modern techniques can minimize scar. This is especially important in cases where the patient has boils and carbuncles on the face.
Preventative measures
We have already said that the main causes of this disease are considered to be a weak immune system, as well as infection with a staphylococcal infection. It is very important to observe preventive measures in order to minimize the risk of carbuncles. Let's consider which ones:
- Follow personal hygiene rules regularly, as well as wash vegetables and fruits, and heat meat and fish thoroughly.
- Watch your diet. Eat only fresh, high-quality foods rich in nutrients. Minimize your sugar intake.
- Watch your immune system closely. Temper, take vitamin complexes, and also go in for sports.
- If you suffer from caries, tonsillitis, pharyngitis or other chronic diseases that can be foci of infections, get rid of them urgently.
Reviews of doctors and patients
According to doctors, a lot of patients go to the hospital with advanced stages of the disease, for the treatment of which surgical intervention is necessary. However, purulent education can be eliminated with the help of conservative treatment. The main thing is to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
According to patients, carbuncles bring a lot of suffering. Their occurrence is accompanied by severe pain, as well as increased body temperature and depletion of the body. Therefore, the hospital should be contacted as soon as possible, otherwise there is a risk of serious consequences for the body.
conclusions
The presence of carbuncle is considered a very dangerous condition. It is extremely important to find out what exactly led to its occurrence, and only then begin treatment. Doctors strongly recommend combating not only the disease itself, but also supporting the activity of the immune system. Only in this case you can reduce the risk of relapse. Take care of yourself and be healthy!