Carbuncle is a purulent necrotic inflammation of the skin. In this case, several hair follicles located next to each other are simultaneously affected. After removing the contents of the carbuncle, a sufficiently deep ulcer forms, which can reach the muscle tissue. In elderly people, weakened and emaciated patients, as well as in those who suffer from diabetes, inflammation can be malignant. In such cases, the disease is complicated by bleeding or sepsis. To eliminate the carbuncle, antibiotic therapy, local use of antiseptic compounds, and physiotherapy are prescribed. If a necrotic lesion has formed, then surgery is performed.
Where can be formed
Carbuncle is an inflammation of the skin tissue that can occur on:
- face;
- back
- the back of the neck;
- buttocks;
- lower back.
In young people, a similar phenomenon can occur on the face. A focus of the inflammatory process is formed in the place where the comedone or pustule was squeezed out. In elderly people, a carbuncle can appear on the trunk, neck and limbs with severe friction of clothing on the skin.
Causative agents of the disease
Carbuncle is an ailment that develops as a result of contact of damaged microorganisms such as:
- bacteria belonging to the protein family;
- E. coli;
- streptococcus;
- staphylococcus;
- enterococci.
Therefore, you should carefully monitor the cleanliness of the skin, and also do not violate their integrity by squeezing acne and blackheads.
Why carbuncle appeared
This disease occurs when creating favorable conditions for the pathogen. Most often this happens when:
- excessive sweating;
- increased secretion of the sebaceous glands;
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- contamination of the skin with oil products, oils, cement, coal, lime, sand and so on;
- high humidity and air temperature;
- damage to the skin, for example, when squeezing acne or insect bites.
Who is at risk
Most often, carbuncle is confused with large boils. However, this is a misconception. The boil and carbuncle have obvious differences. The first type of neoplasm occurs in a plurality. In this case, the boil has a rod. A carbuncle is an individual abscess, which gradually merges into one large. Most often, such a disease occurs in those who suffer from:
- overweight;
- anemia
- overwork of a neuropsychic nature;
- exhaustion;
- diabetes mellitus.
Often carbuncles appear in people who have had a serious illness. Indeed, it is during this period that the body’s immune system practically ceases to fulfill its functions.
The development of the disease and its symptoms
Carbuncle does not appear on the body immediately. It is developing gradually. To promptly seek help from specialists, you should know the main signs of the disease:
- at the initial stage, a small tubercle is formed;
- it gradually grows and causes pain when it is touched;
- the infiltrate gradually turns red, and around it begins the inflammatory process, in which the skin turns blue, turns red;
- over time, the surface is covered with small ulcers, similar in appearance to sebaceous plugs;
- jerking pain, swelling of the tissues occur, and hyperemia intensifies;
- touch the place where the abscess formed, becomes hot, and pus begins to flow out of its hole;
- after opening the abscess, a crater with a ulcerative necrotic surface is formed;
- the edges of the wound become uneven, and the pus continues to come out in small portions;
- the affected area slowly heals;
- at the edges of the wound, a granulation region occurs.
After healing of the carbuncle, a scar forms, which is visible to the naked eye. Especially when a large area is affected. It is worth noting that local suppuration will heal for a very long time without appropriate therapy. In this case, fluid will slowly leak from the wound.
If the condition worsens
In the absence of the necessary treatment, the patient's condition may worsen. The following symptoms may indicate this:
- increase in body temperature up to 40Ëš;
- the appearance of headache, nausea, vomiting;
- general weakness;
- heart palpitations;
- the development of sepsis with intoxication.
The appearance of the first signs of the disease is an occasion to immediately contact a dermatologist. Lack of the required therapy can lead to undesirable consequences, up to blood poisoning.
Diagnostics
The disease is diagnosed quickly. Most often, the doctor discovers a carbuncle during a visual examination. In some cases, analysis is required to differentiate from anthrax. With such a disease, unlike a necrotic formation, painful sensations do not occur. To confirm the diagnosis, a bacterial study of the contents of the carbuncle is carried out.
In some cases, a detailed analysis of the patient's blood composition may be required.
What determines the method of therapy
An autopsy is not recommended at home, as this can lead to an increase in the area of ​​the affected area. It is best to see a doctor. The choice of treatment method depends on the location of the abscess.
If the carbuncle has formed in the armpits, neck and face, then a doctor’s supervision is required. In such cases, the treatment of the disease is carried out in the purulent-surgical department. If the abscess has arisen on the trunk or on the limbs, then its treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis.
In addition, the choice of treatment method depends on the state of the immune system, the patient’s well-being, the patient’s desire to be treated, and also on the sanitary and hygienic situation. Those who lead an asocial lifestyle often end up in a hospital with an advanced form of the disease.
Drug therapy
Abscesses on the body can be cured with special drugs, provided that the patient promptly turned to a dermatologist for help. With a mild form of the disease are prescribed:
- Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe Biomycin, Streptomycin, and Penicillin. The course of therapy is from 7 to 10 days.
- Injections of the drug "Penicillin." The daily dose of the drug in severe form can be up to 1 million units. Injections are done in the affected area.
- Prescribed drugs that can regulate cardiac activity.
- Antibacterial Norsulfazole. The dosage is 1 gram 4 times a day.
- Streptocide, an antimicrobial drug. It is applied at 0.5 grams every 4-6 hours.
- Means with anesthetic effect, for example, Solpadein, Ketanov.
- Drugs that can enhance the release of pus and accelerate the process of maturation of the abscess. These include Vishnevsky ointment and methyluracil ointment.
- Infiltrate can be wiped with ethyl alcohol (70%). Without disinfection, the risk of reinfection increases.
- Physiotherapy. The healing process is accelerated by UV irradiation and UVF therapy.
Surgical intervention
In some cases, an autopsy of the carbuncle is required. Most often, surgical intervention is performed with a severe form of the disease, rapid deterioration of the patient's condition, poor discharge of pus. Also, the procedure is required for local suppuration. Drainage provides rapid elimination of purulent discharge. After surgery is required:
- conservative treatment;
- dressing changes twice a day;
- taking drugs with an antibacterial effect;
- the implementation of physiotherapeutic procedures;
- reception of fortifying agents.
The course of antibiotics must be completed completely. This will prevent re-infection of the tissues. But interrupted treatment will cause resistance of the bacteria to the effects of the drug. With relapse, a stronger drug will be required, which can harm the immune system, intestines, stomach.
Herbal compresses
Folk remedies can also help remove suppuration. Before using any of them, you should consult a doctor. Most often, compresses are used to combat the disease. The best remedy is plantain. The leaves of this plant must be picked, washed, chopped, wrapped in a piece of gauze, and then applied to the affected area. It is recommended to fix the bandage with a band-aid. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour. Up to 6 procedures should be performed daily.
Exactly the same compresses can be done with fresh hypericum leaves. During the day, you need to change up to 4 of these dressings.
It is recommended to place black bread in a decoction of chamomile, soften, squeeze slightly, place in a piece of marie, and then attach to the affected area. Such a tool quickly and effectively draws pus.
From the flowers of calendula you need to squeeze the juice. You can get it by grinding fresh raw materials in a blender. Calendula juice is recommended to treat the affected area several times during the day.
Prevention
Prevention of such a disease comes down to several rules:
- strengthen the immune system;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not comb bites;
- take a shower in hot weather;
- do not squeeze acne;
- take a bath with a string, chamomile, sage and oak bark with excessive sweating.
In addition to the above preventive measures, it is worth undergoing a thorough examination and strictly monitoring chronic pathologies, possibly preventing relapses.