Inflammatory processes on the skin are of a very different nature. They can both differ in appearance and be similar. What is the difference between a boil and a carbuncle? What is common between them and what is different, we will find out further. We also present the causes of the formation of such pathologies, their symptoms, the possibility of diagnosis, treatment.
What is a boil?
What is the difference between a boil and a carbuncle? To answer the question, you need to provide definitions of these terms.
A boil can also be known as a boil or boil. This is the name of purulent inflammation of the hair bulb ("root" of the hair) and the adjacent sebaceous gland. Outwardly, it looks like swollen redness, a red nodule on the skin. Over time, a purulent βheadβ forms in its center. The size of this formation can be in the range of 0.5-3 cm. If a person suffers from multiple boils, the phenomenon is called furunculosis.
What is carbuncle?
Carbuncle is a purulent inflammation of several hair follicles already. Sebaceous gland, as well as subcutaneous tissue, may be affected. In comparison with boils, this is a more serious purulent lesion. Outwardly, this is a much more extensive inflammatory focus: a lot of purulent "heads", the skin reddened to a purple state.
What is the difference between a boil and a carbuncle? If furunculosis is a local inflammation, local symptoms, then with the development of a carbuncle, the general well-being of a person worsens. Body temperature rises, muscle pain appears, general weakness.
What do they have in common?
We analyze how the boil differs from the carbuncle. But let's see what unites them.
Both inflammations, as a rule, appear in locations that are rubbed by clothes, parts of the body that sweat heavily, are covered with cannon hair. Therefore, such formations often affect the face, neck, armpits, legs. Often appear in the genital area.
The development of a boil and carbuncle of the face, body, limbs provokes a bacterial infection. Most often these are streptococci and staphylococci, which in large numbers inhabit the surface of the skin. They can get under the skin as a result of large cuts, abrasions, scratches, and microtraumas (for example, injections with plant spikes). If the immune forces of the body for one reason or another are reduced, inflammation develops.
Boils and carbuncles (photos of inflammation you can see in the article) are not contagious. But it must be borne in mind that when you open a purulent "cap" with its filling, new pathogenic bacteria can get on the surface of the skin. If they spread to neighboring wounds, this causes new inflammation. Therefore, during treatment, you need to carefully consider hygiene - wash your hands when touching a boil or carbuncle, periodically change the bandages.
Any skin abscess, boils and carbuncle of the face should never be squeezed out, cut or pierced by yourself! This threatens that you will introduce the infection into deeper tissues. Infection can enter the blood, sepsis will develop. It can also be brought into the brain with blood, which leads to life-threatening complications.
Difference between inflammations
Let us now introduce the main differences between boils and carbuncles. By the way, there are not so many of them.
Boils most often appear in men. Especially in young people, adolescents. In addition, people who prefer tight clothes, who do not care about the hygiene of their body, are subject to inflammation. Of great importance is the reduced immunity for some reason.
Another difference between boils and carbuncles: the latter are much less common. Men are also more susceptible to them, but already of middle and old age. At risk are people whose health is weakened by a serious general chronic disease. For example, diabetes.
What is the difference between a carbuncle and a boil? Photos, as you see, do not really convey their difference. An important difference is in the treatment of these inflammations. A boil can be easily cured at home. Especially at the initial stage, before the formation of an abscess. With the development of carbuncle, you should always consult a doctor. Especially if it appeared on the face, and you feel a general malaise.
Causes of the boil
If you look at the photo of the boil and carbuncle, what is the difference, you can understand right away. B. site of inflammation. As for the reasons, here you can also identify some differences.
In most cases, the cause is infection of the hair bulb with Staphylococcus aureus. In the normal state, these bacteria live on the surface of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, skin, without harming the body. About 20% of the world's people are staphylococcus carriers.
The boil develops as a result of the bacteria getting under the skin through cuts, scratches and other injuries. The immune system responds by sending leukocytes to a foreign agent. The result of their βwarβ among themselves is that same pus. It consists of dead bacteria and dead immune cells.
The factors provoking inflammation should be called the following:
- Adolescence in men. The skin during this period of life becomes more greasy, which contributes to the growth of bacteria.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene.
- Close contact with people with boils on their skin.
- Occupation with a sport involving increased sweating, friction of tight clothing on the skin, tight contact with other athletes (such as in the case of rugby).
- Living in adverse sanitary conditions.
- Skin diseases - scabies, atopic dermatitis, etc.
- Excessive body weight.
But boils can also appear in a person in whose life there is not one of the provoking factors. If this problem comes back again and again, there is reason to check your health. Since this is one of the symptoms of chronically reduced immunity, which can speak of many hidden serious pathologies.
Causes of carbuncle
Just like boils, carbuncles are caused by the same Staphylococcus aureus. They develop already against the background of a deeper spread of infection into the subcutaneous layers. Several sebaceous glands and hair follicles are involved in the process.
The risk group here includes people with chronically reduced immunity. It can be with the following diseases and conditions:
- Diabetes.
- AIDS.
- Prescribing a long course of treatment with steroid drugs.
- Chemotherapy.
- An acute lack of vitamins and essential micro and macro elements in the daily diet of a person.
- Skin diseases affecting large areas of the body.
- Addiction to drugs (especially when administered intravenously).
- Diseases of the blood, blood vessels and heart.
Symptoms of a boil
Now you know the difference between a boil and a carbuncle. We will analyze their symptoms.
As a rule, three factors are enough for the appearance of a boil: skin friction, increased sweating, and the presence of hair follicles. Why their most frequent localization is the face, neck, armpits, groin, buttocks, hips.
First a red spot appears. Over time, it increases, becomes dense. The site of inflammation begins to hurt. Then a purulent yellowish head appears in its center.
Over time, inflammation is opened, pus flows out. The pain goes away, the wound heals, a scar appears in its place. The process can take from a couple of days to two weeks.
The most dangerous location is the occurrence of a boil in the area of ββthe nasolabial triangle. The fact is that the vessels that feed this zone reach the brain. If you squeeze a boil, bring in an infection, it may well reach the brain, which will provoke the development of meningitis - a life-threatening infectious disease that requires immediate hospitalization.
The most painful are boils in the nose, ear, and genitals. They swell, increase in size. This is due to the presence of loose subcutaneous tissue, in which the inflammatory process quickly develops.
Symptoms of the carbuncle
In addition to the differences in the photo, the differences between the carbuncle and the boil can be seen in their symptoms. One of the signs of carbuncles is that this inflammation develops on the neck, back, or hips. The process is more difficult, since inflammation spreads to deep-lying tissues. Fatty subcutaneous tissue is affected. The patient notes a general malaise: weakness, nausea, headaches and muscle pain, high body temperature.
Carbuncle is a large-scale focus of inflammation. Bright red skin and a lot of purulent heads are its distinguishing features. The size of the matured carbuncle can be from 3 to 10 cm. In this case, pus can ooze from several heads simultaneously. Visually, this makes the inflammation look like a honeycomb. Sometimes all the holes merge into one from which pus flows.
Diagnostics
As a rule, an experienced specialist diagnoses a boil or carbuncle according to the appearance of inflammation, the patient's complaints about his condition. But in some cases, additional diagnostic procedures are required:
- Inflammation is not eliminated by conventional treatment. Most likely, it is caused not by staphylococcus, but by a different bacterium.
- On the human body are several foci of boils or carbuncles.
- Inflammation reappeared after treatment.
- The patient is diagnosed with diabetes, AIDS, he is undergoing chemotherapy.
In this case, a smear is taken from the skin, and the contents of the abscess are sent for bacteriological examination. Thus, the type of pathogen of inflammation is determined. Also, the patient is prescribed a blood test to make sure that there are no undiagnosed diseases.
Boil Treatment
If you have a boil on your face, and especially in the area of ββthe nasolabial triangle, this requires an appointment with a doctor. In other cases, inflammation is successfully treated at home. It is better not to hesitate and begin treatment at an early stage until an abscess has formed.
Inflammation is treated with an antiseptic - medical alcohol or a solution of brilliant green. During the day, dry heat must be applied to the boil - warmed bags with salt, sand or rice, warm boiled eggs. This helps improve blood circulation. And with it, the entry of leukocytes that fight infection.
If a boil has formed on a limb, you need to provide it with peace. To relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (analgin, ketorol, ibuprofen) or paracetamol are used.
A purulent βheadβ must never be opened! When it opens itself, carefully treat the wound with an antiseptic and apply a sterile dressing.
Carbuncle treatment
If you have a carbuncle, you need to see a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable here. In some cases, hospitalization is needed. For example, with extensive purulent tissue damage. Since it threatens blood poisoning and all the ensuing consequences.
The treatment here is surgical. Specialists under local anesthesia open the purulent cavity, remove all dead tissue, and clean the wound. Then the operation site is treated with antiseptics, sterile dressings are applied. In some cases, suturing and even plastic skin is required. Additionally, antibiotics and physiotherapy are prescribed.
Boils and carbuncles are similar, but at the same time, not identical inflammatory processes. They are distinguished by the scale of inflammation, treatment features, provoking factors, locations of tissue damage.