Tuberculosis of the skin: photos, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Skin tuberculosis is a disease whose signs are visually visible to others. The causative agent of the disease is Koch's stick - a bacterium that has resistance to alcohol, alkalis and acids. This disease takes 5th place in frequency after tuberculosis of other organs. Most often, an accurate diagnosis can not be made immediately, the disease develops in dry and wetting forms, which can be determined by specific symptoms.

It is important for each person to know what the first signs of the disease look like, which will help to identify an ailment at an early stage. Photos of skin tuberculosis will help to better understand the problem. A timely diagnosis is a chance to fully recover and live a full life.

Causes and ways of infection

The pathology begins to develop after the bacteria Mycobacterium or Koch's bacillus enter the body and begin to grow actively, spreading to all organs. The microorganism that causes the disease is resistant to the influence of the external environment, high temperatures, and for a long time maintains vital activity in an environment with a low temperature regime.

Koch's wand is not considered a highly contagious infectious agent. Even if a person comes into contact with an infected patient, it is not necessary that he also get sick. A patient with tuberculosis of the skin or other organ in most cases does not need inpatient treatment with an inactive form and is not limited in his movements, he is socially active. In families where there is a patient with tuberculosis, it is recommended not only to monitor his health, but also for the hygiene of all members. It is also necessary for everyone to regularly check the body's response to the Mantoux test in order to be able to detect the presence of the disease in the body as soon as possible.

The main route of infection is the airborne droplet through the respiratory system. Less common may be household and transplacental methods. The microorganism enters through the respiratory tract, then passes into the bronchial mucosa, alveolus and spreads throughout the body with blood flow.

For the human body, the Koch stick is an alien microorganism. Normally, when it gets inside, immune cells attack the pathogen, preventing it from multiplying. An illness can develop in two cases:

• if the immune system is suppressed, there are violations of the production of antibodies, the state of immunodeficiencies, the body's defenses are weakened by other pathologies;
• if the contact with the pathogen is long, constant and the carrier of microbes is at the open stage and does not receive the necessary therapy.

There are a number of factors that provoke a decrease in immunity and contribute to the development of skin tuberculosis:

• smoking is a factor that provokes the development of diseases of the bronchi and lungs, and they, in turn, weaken the human immune system;
• excessive consumption of alcohol-containing drinks;

• taking narcotic drugs;
• predisposition to respiratory diseases due to structural abnormalities, frequent ailments in the anamnesis, the presence of inflammatory processes in the respiratory system of a chronic form;
• chronic ailments and inflammatory foci in other organs;
• endocrine system diseases;
• diabetes;
• lack of vitamins in the body, malnutrition;
• neurotic disorders, depression, stress;
• the period of bearing the baby;
• adverse social conditions.

The combination of several factors increases the likelihood of a decrease in immunity, and hence infection with tubercle bacillus.

Skin tuberculosis classification

There are several forms of the disease. They differ among themselves in symptoms and course. The disease has the following forms:

• lupus tuberculosis;
• collicative tuberculosis of the skin;
• warty;
• papulonecrotic;
• Inductive erythema of Bazin;
• acute miliary;
• lichenoid;
• miliary ulcerative.

In addition, experts distinguish:

• Primary tuberculosis of the skin develops immediately after the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. The secondary form develops after exacerbation of the first foci.
• An acute miliary ailment manifests itself in the form of abundant rashes on the skin with small tubercles, nodules and spots.
• Collicative is formed in the thickness of the skin and subcutaneous fat in the form of moving, rounded and dense nodes.
• Lupus erythematosus is considered the most severe form of tuberculosis of the skin, photos indicate this, in which tubercles appear in the thickness of the skin. They disintegrate and form ulcers and scars.

• Warty is characterized by the formation of bluish-red and gradually growing, merging papules with foci of rough keratinization, and they appear more often on extensor surfaces of the limbs.
• Scrofuloderma manifests itself in the form of cracks in the skin over festering lymph nodes affected by the disease.
• Papulonecrotic manifests itself in the form of the appearance of dense pale red papules on the extensor surface of the legs and arms.
• Inductive shows itself in the form of dense, round, painless, subcutaneous nodes with a bluish tint, more often observed on the lower leg.
• Miliary disseminated lupus erythematosus is characterized by the formation of soft nodules on the face with a reddish-brown tint.

Symptomatology

The first signs of skin tuberculosis are hard to miss. The defeat of the skin has many types, which differ depending on the stage, shape and type.

• On the body and face, red seals appear that can be easily felt - lipomas. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not start therapy, then they quickly increase in size.

• The sores can dry out and scars remain in their place. Sometimes they break through and form a weeping ulcer that does not heal. Severe progression of the disease can lead to skin cancer and death.
• There is another option for the development of the disease, when small nodules arise, causing the patient discomfort and pain. Over time, they merge into one large node with a dense structure.
• If you do not start treatment, then the skin becomes bluish. The knot becomes soft and breaks out. Purulent discharge appears. After healing of the ulcer, a rough scar remains on the skin.
• Warty tuberculosis of the skin is manifested by red nodules on the skin. They do not cause pain, but lead to the rapid growth of warts; after treatment, multiple scars appear.

Common symptoms of skin tuberculosis manifest themselves in the form of such signs:

• The manifestation of rashes.
• Fever.
• High body temperature, turning into chills.
• The appearance of allergies due to a decrease in immunity.
• Special skin sensitivity and discomfort.
• Fatigue.

Most of the signs and symptoms of skin tuberculosis are associated with the appearance of seals under the skin. In order to prevent the development of the disease, you must immediately consult a doctor, undergo an examination, confirm the diagnosis and start complex therapy. The early stages of the disease can be cured, although efforts and time will be required.

Diagnostic methods

Using the Mantoux test, you can evaluate how sensitive the patient's body is to tuberculin. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend laboratory and instrumental methods of research:

• bacteriological analysis of the discharge taken from the foci that affected the skin;
• tissue biopsy followed by histology;
• Mantoux test;
• studies to determine how much tuberculosis has affected internal organs: bacteriological examination of urine, feces, sputum, x-rays of the lungs, ultrasound of the bladder, kidneys and other organs;
• trial therapy.

Diagnosis of skin tuberculosis will not only make an accurate diagnosis, but also determine how much the disease has affected the body. The earlier the pathology is detected, the more effective the therapy.

Treatment

There are several types of treatment for skin tuberculosis. Each of them is recommended for a specific form of the disease. Do not forget that self-medication can only aggravate the patient's condition. If you apply the methods of traditional medicine, then only in conjunction with the traditional ones and after consultation with the doctor.

The first and main rule of treatment is to be closely monitored by a specialist. General therapy can last from 9 months to a year and a half. The treatment can be divided into several stages:

1. Up to 4 drugs are prescribed that take from two to four months.
2. Without chemotherapy, treatment would not be effective.
3. After a while, the number of drugs decreases to two, while they are replaced by others. This system does not allow harmful bacteria to develop resistance to the active substances that make up the drug.
4. An important part of therapy is strengthening the immune system and improving the general condition of the body. To achieve this goal, vitamin complexes, a special dietary supplement with a high content of protein and vitamin C are recommended for use. The doctor also recommends drinking water correctly. To maintain a normal water balance in the body.

Often, the doctor prescribes electrophoresis using anti-TB drugs to the patient. This type of treatment gives the maximum effect. In rare cases, the doctor may recommend surgery.

The main drugs for treatment:

• specific antibiotics "Rifampicin" + "Isoniazid" may additionally prescribe "Pyrazinamidone";
  
• at the second stage, the doctor prescribes medications of moderate effectiveness: Ethambulon, PASK, Streptomycin;
• ulcers sprinkled with isoniazid powder.

It is important to remember that preparations for oral administration should be taken daily without missing a single dose. If you just do not take the medicine once, it can turn into the resistance of mycobacteria, in which case it will be more difficult to recover.

Alternative methods of treatment

Before applying traditional methods of treatment, you need to consult your doctor, because the etiology of skin tuberculosis is complex and simple lotions may not help. Only a doctor will advise which recipes will be most effective.

Traditional medicine allows you to strengthen the immune system, saturate the body with protein, vitamins and minerals. Home remedies can attenuate undesirable effects of specific medicines. Among the proven and effective tools, one can distinguish such recipes:

• herbs such as knotweed, lilac, plantain, coltsfoot, licorice root can be consumed internally as infusions;
• decoctions with dry and fresh berries, for example, lingonberries, quinces, strawberries, help strengthen the immune system;
• to remove the inflammatory effect will help infusions with spruce and pine needles;

• do not forget about taking aloe juice with the addition of honey, mixed in equal amounts;
• to saturate the body with protein, it is better to drink koumiss, if there is such an opportunity;
• to reduce the phenomenon of exudation, ointments can be used for skin tuberculosis with calendula, arnica, and rosemary, using them twice a day.

In combination with other drugs, vitamin-containing fruits should be consumed: apples, red and black currants, mountain ash, rose hips, viburnum, sea buckthorn, blueberries, etc.

Ancient Eastern medicine for the treatment of this serious ailment recommends the use of many herbal medicines.

Diet food

This ailment is very contagious, so it is important to protect others from infection. Is tuberculosis transmitted through the skin? Yes, it is transmitted, but only if there are scratches, abrasions and cracks in the skin of a healthy person, therefore, the patient needs to protect others, not to come into contact with the skin of healthy people.

To recover faster, you need to change your diet from the first days, adding as much protein as possible to the diet. The menu should include: meat, fish, dairy products, milk, whole-grain bread.

Be sure to follow the recommendations:

• food should be high-calorie, but no overeating;
• be sure to eat fresh lard, butter and vegetable oil, but in reasonable quantities;
• eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible;
• reduce the consumption of muffins, sugar, sweets;
• drink as many herbal teas as possible, low sugar compotes, mineral water.

You should completely refuse to take alcoholic beverages, they, together with potent drugs, can lead to the death of the patient.

Tuberculosis of the skin in children

Bacteria causing a dangerous disease cause trouble for both adults and children. Sores, purulent discharge, papules make the child suffer. The use of potent drugs causes them to undesirable manifestations, allergies, disorders of the internal organs. Therefore, treatment requires strict supervision of the doctor and constant adjustment. Proper nursing care for skin tuberculosis in children is important. More often, the doctor recommends taking such drugs:

• "Rifampicin";
• "Streptomycin";
• Ftivazid;
• "Metazide";
• Tubazid.

Chemotherapy is carried out for at least 6 months. Dosage, frequency of medication are selected individually for each child in accordance with his body weight and the presence of contraindications.

Be sure to recommend vitamins In the form of injections that prevent nervous system disorders, cramps, loss of consciousness. You can protect the liver with hepatoprotectors, and multivitamins will be required to strengthen the body.

Complications

What skin tuberculosis looks like can be seen in the photo, all these wounds bring a lot of suffering to the patient. For this ailment, frequent relapses are characteristic. That is why patients who have suffered an ailment are recommended to visit a doctor every month for several years.

After treatment, scars often remain in place of ulcers, which are difficult to cure. To completely remove them, you will have to resort to laser cosmetic procedures.

Preventative measures

Full compliance with clinical recommendations for skin tuberculosis allows the patient to get rid of a serious illness and continue to live a full life. Especially if the patient follows the advice on preventive measures that will protect against reinfection:

• children must be vaccinated with BCG;
• try to avoid contact with asocial personalities that can infect a person;
• strengthen the immune system, especially after colds;
• wash your hands well, especially between fingers;
• less nervous shocks;
• eat properly;
• in the autumn and spring take vitamins;
• Do not constantly overload the body morally and physically;
• exclude communication with an infected person, especially during the period when there is an active allocation of pathogens.

Do not give up when such a serious diagnosis is made. The disease can be cured, but you need to make an effort and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Tuberculosis of the skin is a contagious disease, therefore, all family members in contact with the patient should be regularly examined by a doctor, observe hygiene and not come into tight contact with the infected person, especially if there are cuts, scratches and other skin injuries on the body.

Tuberculosis of the skin is a complex and serious disease, but with timely treatment there is a chance for a full recovery.