Carbuncle is the largest pimple in the world. Translated from Latin, carbunculus literally means “coal”.
General information
In medical practice, an acute purulent-necrotic inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue and skin, which forms around the sebaceous glands and a group of hair sacs, is called a carbuncle. It should be noted that the largest acne in the world has a tendency to spread rapidly. By the way, one of the gems, which is a kind of pomegranate, bears a similar name.
Area of origin
As you know, the largest pimple in the world (carbuncle) is usually formed on the back of the neck, lower back, on the face, buttocks and back. Very often he is confused with a boil. And this is no accident. After all, the development of carbuncle also begins with inflammation of the hair follicle. Later on at this place a pustule (abscess) is formed, bordered by a pink corolla.
What is the difference between carbuncle and boil?
At the initial stage of development, it is quite difficult to distinguish the largest acne in the world from an ordinary boil. This is due to the fact that it also begins to appear in the groin, on the neck or under the armpit. But in the future, the carbuncle becomes more and more. Thus, with a boil on the human body, only one follicle (hair) inflames, while the aforementioned variety affects several at once.
Causes of occurrence
Why do the biggest acne appear? As a rule, carbuncles and boils most often occur when the skin is contaminated in places where it regularly rubs with clothing. In addition, the cause of the appearance of such an ailment can be the ingress of pyogenic microbes (strepto and staphylococci) into the wound, exhaustion of the body, diabetes mellitus, disturbances in the functioning of the liver and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamin deficiency, etc.
Among other things, the largest acne on earth (carbuncle) quite often is an occupational disease. So, in the neck, it can appear among violinists and those who speak a lot on the phone. As for carbuncles formed on the buttocks or hips, the most common cause is an irritation reaction or poor skin hygiene.
Symptoms of the disease
In most cases, the largest acne in the world appears one at a time. At the initial stage of development, they are dense tubercles that appear after inflammation of several follicles (hair). Over time, small formations begin to grow together with each other, as a result of which they form one huge pimple, which has a hemispherical shape.
In some cases, carbuncles can reach the size of a child’s palm. In this case, the skin at the site of the lesion becomes highly inflamed and purple-blue. The entire process of acne development proceeds with suppuration. Over time, the skin on such a site begins to strain more and more, as a result of which the feeling of soreness intensifies.
During the rejection of dead particles on the skin, many holes form in the form of funnels, and then a wound appears with saped edges and a dirty gray bottom.
The course of the disease and its symptoms
On average, the largest pimple (photo of the carbuncle is presented in this article) matures on 7-14 days. In this case, the patient may experience general intoxication, fever, headaches, a feeling of weakness and lack of appetite. If the case is extremely severe, then the patient feels constant nausea with subsequent vomiting and even faints.
During the opening of the carbuncles, a huge amount of pus and necrotic masses is released. Usually they are green, but sometimes they come out with red blood. A deep ulcer, which subsequently forms at the site of an acne, can even reach muscle tissue. As a rule, after its removal, a scar remains on the skin.
Possible complications
In the event that you have the largest pimple on your back, neck, lower back, groin, and other parts of the body, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, such formations can easily cause a complication in the form of blood poisoning. Usually, people with weakened immunity and those who are negligent in the treatment process are most prone to deterioration.
We can not ignore the fact that the infection can spread deep into the skin, and then reach the bones (cause osteomyelitis) and venous vessels (thrombophlebitis, phlebitis). If bacteria get into the lymphatic flow, then this threatens the development of serous-purulent lymphadenitis.
The largest acne in the world, formed on the face or head, can easily cause purulent meningitis, and later contribute to the transition of infection to the meninges.
What to do if a large pimple appears?
If such an education has arisen in you, then you should definitely seek help from a specialist. As a rule, experienced dermatologists do not have difficulty in making the correct diagnosis. If the appearance of a huge acne is associated with anthrax, then special attention is paid to this. By the way, to determine such a case is quite easy in appearance - in the middle of the carbuncle a black scab usually stands out.
In addition to an external examination, a dermatologist is required to take an analysis for bacterial culture, due to which it is possible to determine the sensitivity of the isolated microflora to antibiotic drugs.
Acne Treatment
If after contacting a doctor you have been diagnosed with carbuncle, then most likely you will be hospitalized. It should be especially noted that, like any abscess, such an acne is subject to immediate surgical opening, as well as drainage of the cavity.
In the event that the education is at an early stage of development, a dermatologist may be prescribed conservative therapy with the use of antibiotic drugs. Sometimes such drugs are used for intramuscular injections, which are done directly into the focus of inflammation. In addition, the abscess is strongly bandaged, additionally using local antiviral and antibacterial ointments, creams and gels, as well as streptomycin or intomycin emulsions.
In especially severe and neglected cases, when the infection has already entered the body’s biological fluids and has begun to spread through it, the patient is prescribed a blood transfusion.
Acne Prevention
So that such an ailment never touches you, you should carefully monitor the hygiene of your skin. In addition, it is necessary to keep underwear clean and maintain immunity with vitamins, proper nutrition and an active lifestyle.
Remember that self-treatment of large acne on the body is extremely contraindicated.