An abscess on the skin (abscess) is an inflammatory process in the soft tissues that occurs due to exposure to pyogenic flora and is characterized by an accumulation of purulent contents. Often, an abscess is observed in people with reduced immunity, mainly in young and old age.
In acute inflammation, pus volumes increase rapidly. In the best case, it can open the surrounding membrane and reach the surface of the skin, which will lead to healing and recovery. At worst - break through the skin and pour into the tissue, provoking purulent inflammation and blood poisoning.
Causes of occurrence
The main cause of the abscess on the skin is the ingress of pyogenic microbes into the human body and their further reproduction. The microorganisms that cause inflammation are two:
- staphylococcus;
- streptococcus.
Sometimes both pathogens are present in the human body and provoke inflammation (mixed flora). Microorganisms penetrate the skin through microcracks, pores of the sebaceous and sweat glands.
Factors that provoke the development of inflammatory processes under the skin:
- injuries sustained while working with land and chemicals;
- hypothermia;
- overheat;
- violation of personal hygiene;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- immunodeficiency;
- endocrine system disorders;
- infections (purulent arthritis, tonsillitis, pneumonia).
Another provocateur is diabetes, in which cases of pustular abscesses are much more common. This is due to a violation of the permeability of the capillary walls, which contributes to the rapid spread of pathogenic microorganisms and slow the reaction of the immune system.
Classification
Abscesses on the skin are classified by the nature of the course:
- acute - up to two months;
- chronic - more than two months.
Depending on the degree of damage, they distinguish:
- superficial (in subcutaneous fat);
- deep (deep in tissues, cavities and organs).
Depending on the pathway of the pathogen:
- exogenous (microbes penetrate from the outside - abrasions, cuts);
- endogenous (the spread of infection from a nearby purulent focus, for example, with angina).
Kinds
Pustular diseases are possible on any part of the body. Some are light and go away on their own, others require surgical intervention. Symptoms, causes, course of the disease and methods of treatment are usually similar.
- A furuncle (in common people - boil) is an acute purulent inflammation of the hair bulb, covering the connective tissue and the nearby sebaceous gland. More often occur in places of friction, sweating and pollution: on the face, neck, in the axillary and inguinal region, buttocks, chest, hips and lower back. The main causes of boils on the body are infections caused by staphylococcus.
- Carbuncle is a more complex disease. Several hair follicles, sebaceous glands with extensive damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue become inflamed at once. Purulent formations are often localized on the neck, buttocks and shoulder blades. The inflammatory process is able to affect the deeper layers of the dermis.
- Panaritium is a purulent inflammation of the tissues of the fingers (less often the legs). It usually develops after some kind of injury: a cut, scratch, injection, small wound, sometimes as a complication of an ingrown nail. Often requires surgical intervention. Without treatment, the disease may result in amputation.
- Hydradenitis is a purulent inflammation that affects sweat glands in the armpit, less often in the inguinal region. Provoking factors - increased sweating, lack of hygiene. The disease develops gradually. First, itching occurs at the site of inflammation, then a dense and painful swelling forms. Over time, compaction increases, and the pain intensifies. The skin at the site of swelling becomes purple-red. The focus of inflammation softens, opens and empties to the surface of the skin. Surgical intervention is often required, since hydradenitis is prone to a prolonged (over two weeks) course and involvement of nearby sweat glands in the process.
Diagnosis and treatment of all of the above diseases is carried out by a surgeon.
Symptoms
The abscesses on the skin develop gradually. First, under the influence of pyogenic microbes, a focus of inflammation is formed. The skin above it swells and reddens, the nearby tissues become warmer and denser. Over time, pain and swelling increase. In the center of the focus, softening of the tissues is observed, a cavity filled with pus is formed.
When localized in the subcutaneous fat, the abscess is clearly visible as a speck of white-yellow color. If the abscess on the skin is deep, pus may not be visible through the skin. In this case, you can feel the soft cavity filled with liquid.
If the focus of inflammation is delimited from neighboring tissues, tension, pain and pressure in the abscess area increase. Sometimes the pain is so pronounced that it does not allow sleep, it can be aching or throbbing. With a successful outcome, the skin above the focus is revealed, and its contents are poured onto the surface in the form of a viscous white-yellow liquid, possibly with a blood admixture. After that, the person feels better, the pain disappears, the wound heals and heals completely in a few days.
Unfortunately, there are times when the human body is unable to cope with an abscess. If the bacteria that provoked the abscess have a pronounced aggressive effect, then general complaints join the local symptoms. There is an increase in temperature, headache, aches in the joints and muscles, weakness, loss of appetite. Enlarged lymph nodes can be felt near the site of infection.
Possible consequences
Sometimes an abscess under the skin on the finger, back, leg, lower back spreads to healthy tissues, pus rushes into the deeper layers of the skin, penetrates the muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Often this process is irreversible. In especially difficult situations, inflammation affects the bone tissue, causing purulent bone fusion (osteomyelitis). All these consequences pose a serious danger and require urgent treatment in a hospital. The risk of an unsuccessful outcome increases with:
- localization of an abscess on the face (especially in the nasolabial triangle), under the skin on the fingers, in the ear, mammary glands, in the groin;
- reduced immunity;
- mechanical impact (attempt to squeeze out or pierce an abscess).
How to treat?
Treatment of small abscesses on the skin, as a rule, is not required, they do not bring much discomfort and pass on their own. You can postpone a visit to the doctor in case of slight swelling and redness on the skin. At this stage, the patient is able to cope on his own, preventing the development of a purulent stage.
Inflammation in the initial stage lends itself to conservative methods of treatment. Some are available at home. If it is necessary to remove inflammation, attach dry heat (a heating pad, woolen cloth removed from the battery, a clean bag with heated salt or sand) to the site of the focus (when there is still no pus).
It is not recommended to use moist warming compresses, baths, mustard plasters. Water quickly spreads the infection to neighboring tissues. You can not crush and massage the inflamed area. If an abscess has formed on the arm or leg, it is necessary to provide rest to the limbs.
Sometimes the inflamed areas are treated with antiseptics: medical alcohol, a special solution of 70-95%, brilliant green, ointment from skin abscesses (betadine), vodka. The center of the focus can be treated with iodine. Drying compresses soaked with medical alcohol and bandaged to the affected area do a good job of this stage.
At the discretion of the doctor, the patient can undergo a course of physiotherapy: UV, UHF, infrared radiation and other procedures available in the arsenal of territorial clinics and private clinics.
When to see a doctor?
If the abscess is already formed, then the only possible outcome is its outpouring. Pus cannot resolve, and treating an abscess on the back under the skin (and not only) always comes down to removing its contents. Do not wait until the boil opens on its own. This process can drag on for several days, causing pain and discomfort, in addition, there may be a risk of complications. To avoid negative consequences, consult a doctor.
Factors requiring urgent medical advice:
- severe pain in the affected area;
- the location of the abscess deep under the skin or in dangerous places;
- deterioration (weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes);
- the presence of several ulcers on the skin;
- the presence of background diseases (diabetes mellitus, chronic disorders of the heart, kidneys, AIDS, chronic hepatitis, frequent colds).
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is carried out during external examination and palpation of the abscess on the back under the skin or other affected area. In rare cases, a diagnostic puncture is performed, as a result of which the seized material is sent for bacterioscopic examination.
Treatment
The decision on how and how to treat an abscess under the skin is made by the surgeon. At the reception, he will examine the area of inflammation and, possibly, immediately open the abscess. Usually this manipulation is carried out in a clinic. Hospitalization is necessary only in case of severe malaise, large sizes of the focus of infection, its deep localization or a high risk of complications.
Before the operation, the doctor does local anesthesia. The event itself to cut the skin and remove purulent contents takes only 15 minutes. With deep localization of the focus in the wound, drainage is left. Sutures during such an operation are not imposed. The wound heals on its own. To care for her, you will need dressings.
If the doctor insists on hospitalization, then there is reason. Some types of ulcers are difficult to remove under local anesthesia. In this case, the surgeons resort to anesthesia. In addition, general treatment is also carried out in medical institutions: antibiotics, drugs that strengthen the immune system and help to resist infection are introduced.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is effective only in the mild course of the disease. Therefore, before treating an abscess on the skin with folk remedies, consult a specialist.
- Aloe juice. This tool has an antibacterial effect and promotes wound healing. Porridge of leaves or gauze soaked in juice, attach to the inflamed area at night and bandage. The procedure is performed until the purulent contents are released and the affected tissues are healed.
- Medical alcohol, honey and Vishnevsky ointment. Mix the components in equal proportions. Put the finished mass on the problem area for the night. This procedure will accelerate the absorption of the abscess.
- Onion. A baked onion, laid under a bandage, accelerates the maturation and rejection of the abscess.
- Rye bread. The steamed product is applied to the damaged area, top with cabbage leaves and left for a day.
Preventive actions
Prevention consists in maintaining a proper and balanced diet, observing hygiene rules, skin care, and giving up bad habits. It is also necessary to avoid overheating, hypothermia, microtrauma and treat endocrine diseases.
Conclusion
Sometimes people, fearing surgery or underestimating the disease, self-medicate through folk recipes, open the abscesses themselves, apply ointments and compresses without the knowledge of the doctor. All these manipulations are fraught with rupture of the capsule, penetration of pus into the blood and the spread of infection. Do not pull and consult specialists in the initial stages of the disease. Be attentive to yourself and protect your health!