The boil does not break out for 2 weeks. Furuncle - treatment at home

The desire to pick out an unaesthetic boil has cost the lives of many famous people. The same Joseph Ignace Guillotin, who is credited with the invention of the guillotine. Or the great Russian composer Alexander Scriabin. But let’s not talk about bad things ahead of time.

Boils or boils are dense, round abscesses that sometimes swell on the surface of the skin.

It doesn't look pleasant. Something like this (options of other sizes and degrees of redness of the epidermis around are possible):

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It feels even more unpleasant. Unlike a regular boil, which at first can be confused with a developing abscess, a boil hurts, and the skin next to it looks inflamed and often has an elevated temperature. And in general, this is logical if you understand where the nasty stuff comes from.

Why do boils appear?

Bacteria, more precisely staphylococci, are to blame for everything. They live on the skin of each of us and in most cases do not cause much trouble. However, under certain conditions, a violation of the peace treaty is possible.

With injuries, mechanical damage (for example, constant friction) or decreased skin immunity (it is caused by a variety of reasons: from vitamin deficiency to), staphylococci can penetrate the skin. Specifically, the hair follicle is the sac from which hairs grow.

Inflammation develops in the hair follicle, so there is always hair in the center of the boil.

In response to aggression, the body sends leukocytes - white blood cells - into the same pouch, whose task is to absorb and digest insolent microbes. By destroying the infection, the leukocytes themselves die - this is how pus is formed.

When dying, defenders release substances that cause a local inflammatory reaction. Therefore, the skin around the battlefield swells, turns red and becomes hot.

Redness and soreness persist until the boil opens and empties. The stages of this process look something like this:

Why is a boil dangerous?

The hair follicle is closely connected with blood vessels. If you damage them carelessly (for example, by trying to squeeze out pus from an immature boil, where leukocytes have not yet defeated the microbes), bacteria can enter the bloodstream. And this is fraught with blood poisoning.

Together with the blood, microbes enter the internal organs, which is why they begin to malfunction.

Boils on the face, neck or scalp are especially dangerous in this regard. The infection quickly enters the brain and can lead to cerebral vein thrombosis and other extremely unpleasant conditions.

How to treat a boil at home

Nothing better. If you have a boil, the most thoughtful solution would be to go to a doctor - a therapist, dermatologist or surgeon. The specialist will examine the abscess, assess its location and size, analyze your state of health and, based on the results, give recommendations on how best to treat the boil specifically for you. These are the recommendations that you will need to diligently follow at home.

If you have not yet seen a doctor, home treatment can only consist of the following: Boils - Treatments, Causes, and Symptoms:

• Use warm compresses. They will help reduce pain and speed up the maturation of the boil. Gently apply gauze soaked in warm water 3-4 times a day for 15 minutes.
• Apply antiseptic ointments with a pulling effect to the boil: ichthyol, heparin, synthomycin (which one to choose, it is better to consult a doctor)

Under no circumstances should you open the abscess with a needle or squeeze out the pus!

• If the boil opens on its own, thoroughly wash the wound with antibacterial soap, then treat it with any antiseptic - possibly alcohol-based. Apply an ointment with a local antibacterial effect, such as levomekol or tetracycline, and apply a bandage. Wash the wound with warm water 2-3 times a day and apply warm compresses until it heals.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

If you have any of the following symptoms in addition to a boil, seek medical help immediately:

• Fever (body temperature rises above 38.5 °C).
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• The skin around the boil is distinctly red and hot, and the diameter of the inflammation exceeds 2–3 cm and is growing.
• The pain becomes too strong, you cannot forget about it.
• New boils appear.

These symptoms indicate that the infection has entered the blood. To prevent the consequences from becoming dire, it is necessary to start taking it as soon as possible. Only a doctor can select them.

Also, special medical attention is required for people whose boils develop due to diabetes, problems with the cardiovascular system, iron deficiency anemia, any problems in the immune system, or taking drugs that suppress the immune system. In this case, the body's defenses may not be enough to defeat the infection on its own. Therefore, you will most likely need additional therapy.

(aka boil), but not everyone knows how the process develops and why it is dangerous to health. A boil is an acute inflammatory process localized on the skin of the face or body.

Photo 1 – Furuncle – acute inflammatory process

An abscess is accompanied by abundant formation of purulent masses, followed by their discharge outward when the upper integument of the epidermis ruptures. It is important to know how the disease begins in order to take timely measures for a speedy recovery and prevent unpleasant consequences.

Photo 2 – A lot of pus forms in the boil

What is a boil? This is a purulent abscess, the signs of which can be noticed already at the initial stage of the disease.

Photo 3 – It is important to start treatment immediately

Most often the patient notices:

Knowing how a boil forms and matures, you can promptly suspect something is wrong and begin treatment using medications.

Photo 9 – A boil can be treated with medication

Many people are concerned with the questions: is the boil transmitted through tactile contact, wearing the patient’s clothes, is it contagious and is the patient himself dangerous for others? The answer to the question whether it is transmitted or not can be answered unequivocally - yes, the boil is contagious.

Photo 10 – The boil is contagious

The causative agent of the disease is Staphylococcus aureus infection, which can remain on the skin or clothing, as well as other objects, for a long time. A boil is especially dangerous after a breakthrough, when all the purulent contents freely pour out or ooze from the wound. At this stage, the patient can not only infect others, but also harm himself by neglecting the rules of personal hygiene.

Photo 11 – A boil after a breakthrough is especially dangerous

When the infection spreads to nearby tissues, a disease such as furunculosis may develop. At the same time, the patient constantly develops new foci of inflammation and boils constantly pop up.

Photo 12 – Furunculosis – the patient constantly gets boils

Knowing whether furunculosis is transmitted and how such diseases are transmitted, you can prevent their occurrence without exchanging clothes and household items, and also without trying to squeeze out the boil yourself, even if it is very painful and causes a lot of inconvenience.

Photo 13 – Do not exchange household items to avoid infecting others

Important: attempts to squeeze out a complicated boil can lead to undesirable and dangerous consequences for health, one of which is blood poisoning.

A boil has popped up: reasons

In order to get rid of the problem of boils once and for all, it is important to understand why they appear, with what frequency and when the disease is especially acute. It is possible that abscesses appear every month before the start of a cycle or after eating certain foods, medications, undergoing cosmetic procedures, etc.

If you can accurately determine what causes boils, the process of getting rid of the problem can be considered half solved.

Photo 14 – To get rid of boils, you need to find out the cause

These painful, purulent formations can appear in both men and women. However, women more often suffer from single boils that appear on different parts of the body, which is associated with the hormonal characteristics of their body. The causes of boils vary.

Photo 15 – In women, boils appear more often

Both external and internal factors matter here:

Regardless of the reasons for the formation of a boil, treatment is necessary at the initial stage; it will help speed up the process of maturation of the abscess and subsequent healing of the wound.

Photo 21 – Treat boils at the initial stage

What causes boils

The reasons for the appearance of boils can be different. Some of them can even be combined into separate groups. For example, there are certain diseases that provoke the frequent appearance of ulcers on the body.

Photo 22 – Some diseases can cause boils

These are diseases that create a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria, increase the production of skin secretions, reduce the body's defenses, etc. Frequent boils can act as one of the manifestations of a more serious disease.

Photo 23 – An examination will help determine the cause of boils

Therefore, to look for the reason why boils appear, sometimes it is necessary to involve third-party specialists: gastroenterologists, immunologists, endocrinologists, infectious disease specialists, etc.

Common reasons why boils appear on the skin:

In addition, when wondering why the ulcers are popping up, you need to reconsider your arsenal of hygiene products and cosmetics - perhaps an allergic reaction has occurred. Some types of cosmetics are not only unsuitable for your skin type, but can also clog pores, disrupting the natural secretion of secretions.

Photo 32 – A boil can occur due to poor cosmetics

The substance heats up around the hair follicle, bacteria actively multiply in it, or external infection occurs. In this case, there is no need to explain why the abscess occurs.

Photo 33 – Bacteria accumulate around the hair follicle and an abscess appears

If, even after successful treatment, boils appear again, you need to consult a doctor to prescribe current treatment or a detailed examination. The skin, like a litmus test, reflects the state of the body as a whole.

Photo 34 – Skin reflects the state of the body as a whole

The doctor may prescribe a visit to an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist, tests for hormones, etc. The specialist will be able to determine why it turns out that the patient cannot get rid of the problem for a long time, and seemingly cured boils often reappear.

Photo 35 – The doctor may advise checking the gastrointestinal tract

Once you understand why boils appear, you will be able to solve the problem once and for all by resorting to medication or physiotherapeutic treatment.

How to get rid of boils?

In order to eliminate the problem of boils once and for all, you need to understand the cause of their occurrence. If these are problems with the intestines, then today they can be eliminated relatively easily by undergoing a course of drug treatment with modern drugs, including those based on beneficial bacteria.

Photo 36 – A boil may be due to intestinal problems

You can get rid of boils caused by hormonal imbalances forever by contacting an endocrinologist or gynecologist. After a comprehensive examination, the specialist will explain how to remove boils using special means.

Photo 37 – A comprehensive examination will help determine the cause of the boil

Corrective therapy using hormonal drugs may be needed. An experienced specialist will not only tell you how to remove existing foci of inflammation, but will also explain what to do to prevent relapse of the disease.

Photo 38 – Boil on the leg

Perhaps during an examination by a dermatologist, a diagnosis of “furunculosis” will be made. How to deal with the disease in this case and what to do, how to speed up the recovery process and what medications to prescribe - only the attending physician can decide after a detailed examination.

Photo 39 – Furuncle on the hand

If you decide to take independent measures, in search of an answer to the question of how to quickly remove an annoying boil, complications such as the spread of the inflammatory process and even blood poisoning are possible.

Photo 40 – Furuncle behind the ear

What can I do to ripen faster? What helps cure an immature boil? If you notice characteristic swelling and redness on the skin, under no circumstances should you crush the abscess, especially if it has not yet matured. The boil takes quite a long time to mature.

Photo 41 – Boil in the nose

No one can say with certainty how long it takes for a particular abscess to mature, but many know how to speed up the ripening process. To make the boil ripen faster, you can use ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky ointment.

Photo 42 – Furuncle on the finger

During the examination, the doctor will certainly ask how many days the boil has been brewing, and what measures you have tried to take to treat it. If the boil does not mature for a long time, the specialist may prescribe additional remedies in the form of baths or compresses with soda or medications.

Photo 43 – Furuncle in the ear

Important: There is no single answer to the question of how long a boil takes to mature. Much depends on the depth and extent of spread of the abscess, the body’s immune functions, timely and rational treatment and other factors.

Photo 44 – Complex boils are opened surgically

A mature boil often has to be opened surgically in order to remove the purulent contents and the hard core of the boil. The consequences of such intervention may remain for a long time.

Photo 45 – It is forbidden to open the boil yourself

Often there is swelling and redness, pain in and around the puncture area, the formation of hematomas, etc. If the symptoms do not go away for a long time, or the boil constantly pops up in the same area of ​​the body. Doctors are considering various reasons for what is happening, including psychosomatics.

Photo 46 – The doctor will puncture the abscess with a sharp object and clean out the pus

After an operation to puncture the abscess and extract the contents, the doctor can install a drainage to drain out the remaining pus. Regular dressings are also required, especially if it is a large boil with a large area of ​​inflammation.

Photo 47 – After the operation, the doctor will tell you what to do next

In this case, the specialist discusses in advance with the patient a number of questions regarding the care of the wound: how to treat it, can it be wetted, can it be heated, can it be steamed, etc. It is not advisable to heat the boil.

Photo 48 – As a rule, the wound is smeared with antibiotics

This can cause the infection to spread to nearby tissues. The wound can be wetted during hygiene procedures, but contact with water should be avoided if possible. There is a high risk of re-infection and relapse.

Attention! Do not try to self-medicate, remove boils using traditional methods, pierce or squeeze out a boil, etc. All manipulations to open an abscess are carried out only within a medical institution under sterile conditions and using the necessary means.

Good day, dear readers!

Today we will look at such an unpleasant phenomenon on the skin as a boil, as well as everything connected with them. So…

What is a boil?

Furuncle (boil)– pustular, characterized by acute purulent-necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle and surrounding connective tissue.

The main cause of a boil is mainly Staphylococcus aureus, less often white.

Furunculosis– massive, repeated, chronic formation of boils.

The place where the boil appears can be anywhere except the soles of the feet and palms, but most often, boils form on the back of the head, forearms, lower back, buttocks, abdomen, and lower extremities. The most painful boils are in the ear, nose, face and genitals.

The prognosis for a boil is positive, but there are still complications with this disease - thrombosis, lymphadenitis, sepsis, due to which the formation of boils is considered a fairly serious disease.

Boils have a certain seasonality - most often they form in autumn and spring. In addition, doctors note that most often, boils appear in men, but in children this is generally rare.

Development of a boil

The development of a boil can occur primarily - on healthy skin and secondary, when development occurs against the background of other pathological conditions and diseases of the body, for example, staphyloderma.

The development of a boil occurs in 3 stages, the duration of which, in the absence of complications, is up to 10 days:

Furuncle stage 1 (beginning)– characterized by inflammation of the follicle, in which a hard infiltrate (compaction) of a bright red color with unclear boundaries appears in a given place. At the site of the inflamed follicle, pain and tingling are felt. As the boil grows, the seal increases in size, expands, and the surrounding tissues swell.

Furuncle stage 2 (3-4 days)– characterized by expansion of the boil up to 3 cm in diameter, while in the center of the compaction a purulent-necrotic core with a pustule on the surface is formed. Not only the hair follicle is involved in the process of suppuration, but also the sweat gland with the surrounding connective tissue, while the vessels around it dilate and swelling of collagen is observed. The shape of the boil begins to take on a cone-shaped shape, as if it were a growing mountain. Inside the “mountain”, elastic and collagen fibers are destroyed. Collagenized bundles of fibers form a thick protective ring inside the boil, preventing the infectious purulent formation from exiting into the body and its further infection, so it is very important not to squeeze out the boil without understanding the consequences of this process. The opening of the boil must be correct.

Further, the skin at the site of inflammation becomes smooth, bluish in color, and the pain intensifies. In case of extensive damage to the body by infection (in the case of a large number of boils), a person may experience symptoms of intoxication, which are expressed by general malaise, nausea, lack of appetite, headaches and an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C.

Stage 2 of boil development ends with the spontaneous or artificial opening of the pustule and the release of its contents. The contents of the pustule are a necrotic rod of yellow-green color with a purulent formation, sometimes with the addition of blood.

Furuncle stage 3– characterized by the appearance of a “crater” at the site of opening of the pustule, which is initially filled with granulations, and after 2-3 days, scarring occurs in this place. The scar at the beginning of healing is red, but as it heals it turns white and becomes almost invisible.

The entire flow cycle may be erased; for example, the entire process sometimes occurs only with the formation of infiltrate, i.e. without pus and necrosis. In other cases, the boil, against the background of weakened immunity and other diseases, acquires an abscess or phlegmonous form.

Furuncle - ICD

ICD-10: L02;
ICD-9: 680.9.

The main cause of the boil– an infection of a bacterial nature, predominantly golden, less often white.

This infection is present on the surface of the skin of almost every person, but due to strong immunity, the normal functioning of all other organs and systems, as well as the absence of violations of the integrity of the skin, staphylococcus does not harm health in any way. By the way, a weakened immune system is one of the main reasons for the development of many.

A boil develops when two conditions are combined - the presence of an infection and a pathological factor, which can be external (exogenous) or internal (endogenous).

External causes of a boil:

• Skin contamination;
• Skin trauma - microtraumas, cracks, cuts (especially when shaving), scratching with nails, rubbing the skin with uncomfortable clothes or shoes;
• Poor quality food;
• or its overheating;
• Permanent.

Internal causes of boils;

• Reduced immunity;
• Increased sweating and sebum secretion;
• Violation of metabolic processes - metabolism;
• , smoking;
• The presence of diseases such as staphyloderma, as well as others, and systems of infectious etiology.

Furuncle - symptoms

The main symptom of a boil– formation in the area of ​​the inflamed follicle of a red compaction (infiltrate), up to 3 cm in diameter, on the surface of which a pustule forms over time. Inside the boil there is a purulent-necrotic core and a purulent formation, sometimes mixed with blood. In some cases, the boil is treated only by the formation of a reddened infiltrate.

Other symptoms of a boil include pain and a tingling sensation in the inflamed area, as well as swelling of the surrounding tissues.

Against the background of weakened immunity and the spread of infection within the body, general malaise, increased fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, etc. may be observed.

After the necrotic tissue is rejected, healing occurs through scarring. Most often, boils occur on the skin of the neck, back of the head, face, back, and thighs. The appearance of boils at different stages of development is called furunculosis, and purulent-necrotic inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue around a group of hair follicles and sebaceous glands is called a carbuncle. If a boil is found on the face, serious complications are possible (purulent meningitis, sepsis).

Complications of a boil

Complications of a boil can be:

• Arachnoiditis;
• Phlebitis;
• Erysipelas;
• upper lip or nose;
• Sinus thrombosis;
• Lymphangitis;
• Lymphadenitis;

Types of boils

The classification of a boil is as follows...

With the flow:

• An acute boil is a classic development of a boil;
• Chronic boil (furunculosis) - characterized by a large number of boils at different stages of development, over a long period of time.

By origin:

• Primary – development occurs when the integrity of the skin is violated and infection penetrates into this area.
• Secondary - development occurs against the background of existing skin diseases - eczema, staphyloderma and others.

Furuncle - diagnosis

Diagnosis of a boil includes:

• Visual inspection;
• Anamnesis;
• Dermatoscopy;
• Bacterial inoculation of the contents of the boil.

Additional diagnostic methods may include:

• General urine analysis;
• Urine culture;
• Pharyngoscopy;
• Rhinoscopy;
• sinuses;
• brain.

Furuncle - treatment

How to treat a boil? Treatment of a boil primarily depends on the stage of the inflammatory process.

At the first stage of the boil (infiltration period) ultraviolet irradiation is used.

At the second stage (maturation period) To stop the infection and relieve pain, a blockade is placed - the boil is injected around the circumference with solutions of antibacterial drugs and novocaine. Injections are carried out in the surgical department.

The antibiotic is selected based on diagnosis and resistance (resistance) to the infection.

Among the most used antibiotics for the treatment of boils are:"Amoxicillin", "Methicillin", "Oxacillin", "", "".

Along with antibacterial therapy, sulfonamides are often prescribed.

To avoid allergic processes in the body from the use of antibiotics, antihistamines are used: “Diphenhydramine”, “Pipolfen”, “”.

The effectiveness of the blockade in the “classical” course of the boil is characterized by rapid recovery. In other cases, it leads to a more rapid course of the disease - activation of the inflammatory process, its delimitation and rapid healing.

To prevent damage to the inflamed area, which causes pain and the risk of rupture of the internal protective “ring” in which the purulent contents are located, a removable plaster splint is applied to the boil.

If the blockade is ineffective and the inflammatory process with pain intensifies, it is repeated every other day or every day until the boil opens and the purulent-necrotic core comes out. In this case, a bandage with a 1% solution of silver nitrate is applied to the inflamed area, which must be changed daily.

Ichthyol is an effective remedy for pain relief, disinfection and relief of inflammation. A hair is removed from the center of the boil, after which a thick layer of “Ichthyol ointment” is applied to the boil, onto which loosened cotton wool must be applied. When dry, cotton wool forms a so-called “ichthyol cake”, which is easily washed off with warm water. Such dressings should be done 1-2 times a day. However, remember that such “cakes” cannot be applied to an opened boil, since they will prevent the normal drainage of purulent contents and the core from it.

After opening the boil, its cavity is washed with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide and bandages are applied with a hypertonic solution of sodium chloride, which is intended to cleanse it of necrotic masses. The purulent-necrotic core of the boil can be removed only after it is completely separated from the surrounding tissues.

Important! Under no circumstances should you open a boil by squeezing, since there is a high probability of breaking the internal protective ring, after which the infection can spread throughout the body causing a number of serious and life-threatening complications!

In the third stage (healing period), after extracting the contents of the boil, the skin around the boil is treated with alcohol, brilliant green (diamond green) or methylene blue.

Bandages with Vishnevsky or Levomekol ointment are applied to the site of the boil, changing them every 2-3 days. If granulations are present, indifferent fatty dressings are applied, which are based on fish oil, sterile petroleum jelly, syntomycin emulsion and others.

Surgical treatment is used for complications of the boil - phlegmon, advanced forms of the carbuncle or abscessing boils. Surgical treatment of a boil involves making an incision into the boil and extracting its contents, after which the usual treatment regimen is applied. Sometimes complete excision of the boil is performed with suturing.

Treatment of boils is carried out until the infiltrate (compaction) is completely reabsorbed, otherwise various complications of the boil may appear.

Complicated boils are treated only in a hospital setting. For furunculosis, as well as for various additional complications, concomitant diseases are treated.

Additional methods of treating boils are sometimes:

• methods of physiotherapy - ultraviolet irradiation, infrared irradiation (sollux), UHF;
• diet - includes limiting spicy and fatty foods, spices, alcoholic beverages;
• additional intake and –, which is aimed at strengthening the immune system and other systems, normalizing metabolic processes and speeding up the patient’s recovery;
• Autohemotherapy is often an effective remedy for furunculosis.

What should you not do if you have a boil?

• Squeeze out the boil, especially during its maturation;
• Massage the area of ​​inflammation;
• Use warm compresses, poultices and other wet procedures.

Important! Before using folk remedies for treating boils at home, be sure to consult with your doctor!

Turmeric ointment for boils. The following ointment has a pulling property. To prepare it, you need to mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with half a teaspoon of ginger, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey and a pinch of salt. Mix everything thoroughly, and wrap the mixture in gauze and apply it to the boil. To increase efficiency, wrap the top of the bandage with cling film and secure it on top with a scarf or bandage.

Wax ointment for boils. Melt good butter in a bowl, then add beeswax shavings to it in a 4:1 ratio. Simmer the mixture over low heat, stirring until the wax is completely dissolved, but do not bring to a boil. Wax ointment against boils should be applied warm, as a compress, for 2 days without changing.

Honey. Mix 1 tbsp. spoon with flour, bringing the mixture to the consistency of clay, then apply this cake to the boil, apply a bandage and hold until the abscess opens.

Aloe. Take a large adult leaf, wash it, remove the spines and remove the top layer of peel from the flat side with a knife. Apply the cut side of the leaf to the boil and secure it on top with a bandage. Change the leaf 2 times a day until the boil matures and breaks through.

Plantain. Wash and fold several leaves in several layers, securing them with a bandage. Change the bandage every 1-2 hours until the abscess opens.

Treat the opened boil with silver water, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or Chlorgeskidine so that the “crater” and surrounding tissues are cleared of infection.

Prevention of the appearance of a boil includes the following recommendations:

• Follow the rules of household and industrial hygiene, do not use other people’s hygiene items for personal use;
• Try to eat foods enriched with vitamins and microelements;
• If the skin surface is injured, treat the wound;

Furuncle is one of the most common pustular skin diseases caused by staphylococcus. In everyday life, another name for it is often used - boil.

Not all parts of the body may be at risk for this condition. Inflammation of the hair follicle does not occur where there are no follicles, that is, on the palms and soles. But boils most often occur in open and most visible places, since there the skin is least protected.

So, it often appears on the face. Moreover, it is formed near the lips or nose. Everyone wants to get rid of it on their own, but this should not be done under any circumstances.

A boil near the lips or on the nose is dangerous because if bacteria from it get into the blood, with its current they can quickly reach the brain, causing meningitis. Moreover, in these areas (near the mouth, in the nasolabial folds) the boil is very easy to injure. In men, this can happen when shaving. We will try to understand in more detail and answer all the questions in today’s article: Treatment of boils at home.

Treatment of boils at home

At home, treating chiries is an affordable method for every person. Since traditional medicine has accumulated many effective recipes that are safe for humans. And in traditional medicine there are pharmacological agents that eliminate this unpleasant disease. People choose for themselves which methods to use, and in order not to harm themselves and their health, we will consider everything in detail.

What is it and what does it look like

A boil appears on seemingly clean skin. But as a rule, before this she was already susceptible to superficial or deep staphyloderma. Staphylococcus aureus, or less commonly white staphylococcus, is the main culprit of this disease.

The reasons for its appearance are explained by the influence of external or internal factors (friction by clothing, scratching with nails, the presence of chronic diseases, including pathologies of the endocrine system and diabetes mellitus); it is activated and penetrates the body through any microscopic scratch on the body.

Staphylococci infect the hair follicle or clogged sebaceous gland. A rod appears - a characteristic sign of chiryak.

The body's reaction to the invasion of staphylococcus is to mobilize white blood cells to fight it. The result of this battle is inflammation at the site of infection by pathogenic bacteria. It is accompanied by internal suppuration. The area of ​​skin above it turns red.
This is how a boil appears, resembling a volcano - a cone-shaped formation of red color with purulent contents. After a certain time, the boil breaks out, the pus comes out, and then it begins to heal.

Furunculosis and boil localization sites

Boils appear more often in spring and autumn, when all pathogenic microorganisms are activated and the immune system weakens, which is also one of the reasons for their appearance. Men are more affected by the disease. And it happens less often in children than in adults.

Boils appear not only in prominent places. Sometimes it forms under the armpit and then leads to infection in the lymph nodes. This also happens when it is localized on the neck, head or even thigh. Sometimes boils can give a kind of metastasis to internal organs, which creates quite serious problems.

Sometimes they appear on the chest (this is typical for nursing women). Boils form on the pubis, groin, and back. Cases have been recorded when a boil formed in the ear, look at the photos presented. Wherever a boil forms, you should first go to the doctor. Especially if this is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, general weakness, and enlarged lymph nodes. After all, this may be evidence of blood poisoning.

The boil is often single. But even in this case, if it was treated incorrectly, then after a few months, and sometimes earlier, a relapse may occur. If such formations appear one after another, then the doctor diagnoses furunculosis. Sometimes the same term is used to refer to multiple rashes of boils.

But it is quite rare. Furunculosis can be acute. It lasts up to two months, and during it several formations are formed at once. And there is also chronic furunculosis, when a boil appears in the same place, alternating its appearance with short breaks.

Stages of development and their symptoms

Any boil looks different; diagnosis is made by visual examination and the symptoms that appear. In total, it is customary to distinguish 3 stages of its development.

At the initial stage A hard infiltrate rises above the surface of the skin is formed. It has a pronounced red tint. This phenomenon is accompanied by slight pain and tingling sensations may occur. Gradually, as it matures, the blurred boundaries of the infiltrate are replaced by the formation of a dense tumor. She becomes painful. The surrounding tissues swell quite quickly, especially if the boil forms on the lip or cheek.

At the second stage suppuration gradually gives way to necrosis. This stage begins on days 3-4. At this point, the size of the formation reaches 1-3 cm in diameter. In its center, a purulent core with a pustule on the surface is clearly visible. Because of it, the boil takes on a cone-shaped shape. Moreover, the skin on it looks shiny. During this period, additional symptoms may appear. In addition to severe pain, symptoms of fever appear, with signs of general poisoning of the body - a feeling of fatigue, weakness, headaches.

After a few days, the skin on the top of the abscess will open spontaneously (it is recommended to visit a doctor so that a specialist will open it under sterile conditions and treat it with an antibacterial drug). After opening, pus is released, which may contain blood impurities. Then a yellow-green necrotic rod emerges.

At the healing stage swelling subsides and pain disappears. For some time, a boil crater remains on the skin. It usually begins to scar within two to three days. At first, the scar is clearly visible because it has a red-blue tint. Then it gradually becomes white, and after a certain time it becomes unnoticeable. In total, the development cycle of a boil lasts about 8-10 days. But the stages described are not always so clearly visible.

Types of boils

What is strictly contraindicated is opening the abscess at home and squeezing out the boil, as this leads to infection of nearby tissues and possible complications that are potentially life-threatening. There are two different types of boils:

• outdoor and
• interior.

For external ulcers There is no particular danger if the necessary requirements are met. It is not allowed to squeeze them out yourself, especially if they are on the face or nose.

Since the skin is simply penetrated by tiny blood vessels, the risk of infection increases several times. And the brain is very close, which poses a special danger for it.

For internal ulcers the danger increases only because when squeezed out, the abscess can break through not outwards, but into the tissues, which is dangerous due to blood poisoning and various complications associated with this process. Internal boils are best treated by consulting a doctor.

Types of complications

Sometimes this skin disease occurs with mild symptoms. A painful infiltrate forms, but there is no suppuration or necrosis.

And sometimes there is no increase in temperature. The boil is very small in size. In appearance, it may resemble other skin diseases, for example, folliculitis, which has one characteristic feature that cannot be confused with anything - the formation of a rod.

One more complication should be mentioned, which begins with the development of boils. If a conglomerate of such formations develops on a general infiltrate, it is called a carbuncle. Such a conglomerate usually grows over time, drawing new follicles into the inflammatory process.

Moreover, the inflammation spreads deeper. In such cases, very severe pain occurs, the lesion becomes dark in color, and purulent fluid with blood is released from it. Ulcers may form on the skin. To prevent the development of such education, you need to immediately seek medical help from specialists.

Local therapy is good only in exceptional cases, when there is a single boil and there are no prerequisites for its recurrence.

Treatment in the clinic

Treatment of a boil is determined by the stage of its development. In the initial period, you can use ultraviolet irradiation in a certain dose prescribed by the doctor. During the period of maturation of the infiltrate, antibiotic treatment is prescribed, and novocaine is injected. This is done exclusively in the surgical department.

Speaking about chronic furunculosis, antibiotics alone are not enough. It is necessary to establish internal factors that cause relapses and eliminate them. For this purpose, various methods of pathogenetic therapy are used. They take immunomodulators and biostimulants, and sometimes antistaphylococcal gammaglobulin is administered.

If a boil occurs on an arm or leg, it is recommended to rest the affected limb. This is important for stopping the inflammatory process. Blockades are repeated at certain intervals (in severe cases - every day) until the necrotic core is completely separated.

Apply bandages soaked in a 1% solution of silver nitrate. These dressings need to be changed every day. A timely one-time injection is quite sufficient to speed up recovery. A double blockade is needed for severe cases.

Regardless of how the abscess is opened, in the future you need to rinse its cavity with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. After this, dressings should be done every day with a hypertonic solution of calcium chloride. This will help to completely cleanse the affected area of ​​purulent and necrotic masses.

The rod is removed in the surgical department, making sure that it is completely detached from the surrounding tissue. The leather in this area is treated with alcohol or aniline dyes (“blue” or “green dye”).

Read in more detail: Ichthyol ointment is an antiseptic with disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Then you will need to apply bandages for a few more days to ensure the skin heals. For this purpose, Vishnevsky ointment is used. Many people believe that it can be used at the initial stage, but in such situations it is useless. The ointment is used to lubricate the affected area only after opening the abscess.

Syntomycin emulsion helps well, boils are treated with levomikol and other means, but it all depends on the condition of the skin.

Treatment at home

Theoretically, you can cope with a small boil at home. At an early stage, to accelerate its maturation, warm compresses are used. You can simply take a piece of clean cloth, moisten it in warm water, apply it to the boil and cover it with plastic for half an hour. The procedure is repeated up to 4 times a day. There is another proven folk remedy: onion treatment by applying half a baked onion to the problem area.

When a white or yellowish head appears above the inflamed red cone, you must continue to apply warm compresses. But if pus has already appeared on the surface, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used. Moreover, we need those that are designed for local use.

They are produced not only in cream form, but also in powder form. Among the latter, the drug Baneocin demonstrates high efficiency. Such antibiotics can be used for 10 days - this is enough for complete healing of the boil.

What folk remedies are used for home treatment?

During the period when boils appear, as noted above, the body’s defenses decrease. And to help strengthen them, treatment with folk remedies helps:

Turmeric has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system, has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, helps cleanse the blood not only of toxins, but also kills staphylococcus. To help your body, take turmeric three times a day, diluting half a teaspoon with water. And after taking the powder, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, up to half a liter. And so on for several days in a row.

Read more about the spice here: Turmeric - medicine or supplement. Because it also has contraindications.

Fumyanka officinalis, an inconspicuous weed growing along roads, but at the same time, a very useful plant that relieves pain and improves metabolic processes, acts as a general tonic. To provide support to the body, you should infuse a tablespoon of dry herb with a glass of boiling water for about 30 minutes, and then drink a third of a glass, several times a day.

Pine buds are an effective blood purifying drug, and at the same time an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic agent. You can take a bath with them for general relaxation and relief from current pain. Buds can be replaced with cones or needles.

Plantain leaves have a bacteriostatic effect, detrimental to pathogenic microbes that accumulate in wounds (streptococcus, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Therefore, they are used after opening the abscess, for its speedy cleansing, disinfection and tissue granulation. Clean leaves of the plant are placed in several layers on the wound and bandaged. Change the bandage after 2 hours.

Fresh nettle juice An excellent healing remedy that is also drunk for prevention. All you need is a tablespoon once a day. It cleanses the blood well, promotes cleansing and healing of wounds.

Nettle infusion also helps cleanse the blood. Infuse a tablespoon in 200 ml of boiling water for 60 minutes and take half a glass up to four times a day.

Garlic compresses applied to boils at the very beginning of their appearance. Garlic is finely chopped to a paste and applied to the patient’s area on a sterile napkin and secured with a bandage for several minutes. You cannot keep the pulp for a long time, you can get a skin burn.

Honey cake activates the process of abscess maturation. The cake is prepared from a tablespoon of honey and adding flour (as much as you need) to form a plastic mass, from which a cake is formed to be applied to the sore surface of the skin. Apply to boils:

• aloe leaf;
• rye crumb sprinkled with salt;

Buckwheat helps the abscess mature, helps soften it and relieve pain. To avoid discomfort from the dressing, you can grind it into flour, although folk recipes recommend tying buckwheat raw, changing the dressing after 4 hours.

Dry brewer's yeast Traditional medicine recommends for the prevention of this disease, in the form of taking it orally three times a day, a teaspoon.

Tansy used during illness, it is recommended to chew the inflorescences directly dry twice a day. But they are bitter and not everyone can endure this bitterness. Then make a decoction or infusion and drink it for about a week. The plant has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect, and at the same time strengthens the immune system.

For the scar to resolve. After the abscess heals, a pink dent remains on the skin for a long time. This looks especially unsightly if the abscess is on the face. If you do not take action, the scars will remain on the skin forever. Therefore, measures must be taken in a timely manner. As soon as the boil is cleared of its contents, it needs to be treated with mumiyo twice a day. Just dissolve a natural antibiotic tablet in a small amount of water and moisten the wound with the solution, continuing treatment until the skin surface is completely smooth.

What ointments can be prepared for treatment

Recipe No. 1. Ointment made from lamp oil, sugar, wax and wood oil. All components are melted in a water bath in equal parts. The medicinal ointment should be stored in a glass container for up to one year, and the sore spots should be lubricated daily.

Recipe No. 2. An ointment based on spruce resin, aloe leaves, tar and butter. Melt all ingredients in a water bath in equal proportions. After cooling, store the creamy mass in a cool place and apply it every night at night, securing it with a bandage or adhesive tape.

Recipe No. 3. Ointment based on goose fat. Take goose and chicken fat in equal parts and add the same amount of tar and beeswax, keep in a water bath until completely mixed. After cooling, store in a cool place and every day for two weeks, lubricate the ulcers twice a day. Can be applied under a bandage.

Recipe No. 4. Ointment based on butter and beeswax helps draw out pus from the boil. Take the following ratio (4:1), respectively softened oil and wax, dissolve in a water bath. After cooling, apply daily to sore spots.

Recipe No. 5. The fume is useful not only for internal use, it also helps with external treatment of wounds. Dry leaves of the plant must be crushed to powder and mixed with 25 g of petroleum jelly. This ointment helps not only with furunculosis, but also with the treatment of acne and eczema.

Recipe No. 6. Ointment based on spicy spices and honey. Make a mixture of half a teaspoon of ginger root, a teaspoon of turmeric, a tablespoon of honey, and a little table salt. Place the mixture on a piece of napkin and apply it to the abscess. Cover the top with film and insulate. It is better to do the compress at night.

How is a child treated?

The appearance of large abscesses on the body of a small child is always accompanied by signs of toxic damage. Symptoms of weakness, headache, and tearfulness of the baby appear, often accompanied by an increase in temperature.

The treatment rules are the same as for adults. You just need to start with a visit to the doctor. Traditional methods are also used as auxiliary methods, excluding aggressive ones that irritate the skin. The use of ichthyol ointment is allowed. It is important for the child to apply a bandage to cover the abscess to prevent the spread of infection.

When treating a boil, you need to adhere to a multivitamin diet. The menu is not limited by calories, but spices, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, coffee and tea are excluded from the diet. Sometimes vitamins B, PP and ascorbic acid are additionally taken.

Including fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain cereals in the diet - all this plays an important role. But since there is always a risk of dysbiosis when taking antibiotics, you need to include fermented milk products in the menu.
Treatment of boils at home is not indicated for all forms of this disease. For facial boils, it is advisable to treat them in a hospital setting, just as if there is a risk of complications. In other cases, it requires both patience and perseverance.

When treating at home, observe hygiene requirements. Be sure to wash your hands well with laundry soap or antibacterial soap. Moreover, this procedure must be carried out before contact with the boil and after.

Health to you, dear readers!

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Furuncle(syn. in everyday life - “ulcer”, “boil”) - this is a type staphyloderma(pustular inflammatory skin disease caused by staphylococcal microorganisms). It is characterized by the development of a purulent-inflammatory process in the hair follicle and surrounding tissue.

Furunculosis- a disease characterized by the appearance of a large number of boils on different parts of the skin.

Carbuncle- a disease in which several nearby hair follicles become inflamed. We can say that these are several boils combined into one. The disease has a more severe course.

Prevalence of boils

Pyoderma* - a group of diseases that include boils - are quite widespread. They make up about 40% of other skin pathologies. Patients with boils make up from 4% to 17% of all patients treated in inpatient dermatological clinics.

In recent years, the number of patients with boils of the face, especially the nose area, has been increasing.

*Pyoderma is a pustular skin disease. A general concept that unites a large number of different diseases. The two main types of pyoderma are staphyloderma (purulent processes caused by staphylococci) and streptoderma (caused by streptococci).

Anatomy of skin and hair follicles

Human skin is a special organ that covers almost the entire surface of the body. Its area in an adult is on average 1.5 - 2.5 meters. It consists of layers that are tightly connected to each other.

Layers of skin:

• Epidermis- outer layer of skin. Consists of several layers of epithelial cells. The deepest layer is responsible for cell growth and reproduction. The outer layer, the horny layer, is represented by horny scales and performs a protective function.
• Dermis. It is located under the epidermis and fits tightly to it. Consists of connective tissue. It is the basis for the epidermis, contains blood vessels and nerves.
• Subcutaneous fat. Represented by adipose tissue.

Skin defense mechanisms

• Maintaining a certain level of acidity. The pH level of the skin ranges from 3 to 7. In such conditions, only microorganisms that are representatives of normal microflora can exist.
• Normal microflora. Microorganisms that are normally present on the surface of the skin prevent the proliferation of pathogens.
• Langerhans cell. These are specific immune cells that are found in the epidermis. They take part in providing immune protection, producing interferon And lysozyme- substances that destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

Structure of hair and hair follicle

Hair- these are keratinized skin appendages. There can be up to 2 million hairs on the human body.

Hair structure:

• Hair shaft- a thin part of the hair that protrudes above the surface of the skin.
• Hair root- part of the hair located deep in the skin, in the hair follicle.

The hair follicle is embedded in the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Around it there is a dense capsule of connective tissue.

At the bottom of the hair follicle is its expanded part. It contains the hair follicle - the club-shaped expanded lower end of the hair. The hair follicle contains cells, the division of which ensures hair growth. A connective tissue papilla grows into the hair follicle and hair follicle. It contains blood vessels and nerves for nutrition and innervation of the hair.

In the upper part of the hair follicle, an expansion in the form of a funnel is also formed - its mouth. The duct of the sebaceous (any hair) and sweat (only hair located in certain areas of the body) gland flows into it.

Sebaceous glands draining into the mouth of the hair follicle

The sebaceous gland consists of an enlarged part, which is directly responsible for the secretion of sebum, and an excretory duct.

Sebum has a complex structure. It has bactericidal properties - it can destroy pathogenic microorganisms that fall on the surface of the skin.

Sebum production in humans is mainly regulated by the adrenal glands and sex hormones. The more testosterone is present in the body, the more active the sebaceous glands work.

Sweat glands that secrete secretions at the mouth of the hair follicle

Only specific ducts flow into the mouths of hair follicles. apocrine sweat glands. The final part of the gland that secretes sweat is located deep in the dermis.

Apocrine sweat glands are located in the armpits, around the nipples, genitals and anus.

Causes of boils and furunculosis

Who is staphylococcus?

Staphylococcus is a microorganism that is constantly present on the surface of the skin normally, and, at the same time, is capable of causing a wide variety of purulent infections, ranging from boils to severe blood poisoning - sepsis.

How can the same bacteria be both harmless (and sometimes even beneficial) and very dangerous?

The fact is that there are different strains of staphylococci. Strain is a group within a species, like breeds in dogs.

Some strains are completely harmless to humans. Other conditionally pathogenic, that is, they are capable of causing infections only under reduced immunity and other special circumstances. Still others always cause illness if they enter the body.

Normally, 90% of staphylococci found on human skin are harmless strains. 10% are pathogenic, but there are so few of them that they are not capable of causing a purulent process. Boils and furunculosis develop in cases where this ratio changes greatly.

What skin features predispose to the development of boils?

• increased sweating: with constant sweat, the structure and protective properties of the skin are disrupted
• scratching and damage caused by other skin diseases and disorders
• frequent skin injuries: abrasions, scratches, abrasions - any infection easily penetrates through these defects
• constant contact of the skin with discharge from the nose and ears in case of chronic diseases: rhinitis, otitis, etc.
• skin contamination, lack of personal hygiene: most often, boils form on the back of the neck, as a lot of dirt and sweat accumulate here, and there is constant friction against the collar
• violations of skin protection as a result of occupational hazards: constant contact with lubricating oils, dust (coal, cement, lime, etc.), aggressive chemicals

Decreased immunity

The normal state of the body's immune forces prevents the penetration of any pathogenic microorganisms into the skin.

Factors leading to decreased immune strength and furunculosis:

• severe chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases: tonsillitis, bronchitis, frequent pneumonia, rhinitis and sinusitis, otitis, etc.;
• diseases accompanied by decreased immunity: HIV;
• reception immunosuppressants(medicines intended specifically to suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases), cytostatics(medicines to destroy tumor cells), the use of radiation therapy;
• hypothermia or overheating;
• insufficient and malnutrition, hypovitaminosis.

Hormonal disorders

Diabetes

Furunculosis can be considered a complication of long-term diabetes mellitus. The disease leads to disruption of blood flow in small vessels. As a result, the skin does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Dystrophic processes occur in it, and protective mechanisms decrease. Staphylococci penetrate hair follicles more easily.

Excessive adrenal function

The cortex (outer layer) of the adrenal glands secretes glucocorticoid hormones. They have many effects.

Effects of glucocorticoids on boils:

• immunosuppression, decreased skin protection
• an increase in the production of sebum, which, accumulating on the skin and in the lumen of the sebaceous glands, turns into a breeding ground for pathogens

Increasing the content of male sex hormones in the body
Testosterone and its analogues enhance the function of the sebaceous glands of the skin.

Stages of boil development

Usually the boil lasts no more than 10 days. After this, it usually goes away completely. There are 3 stages during a boil:

Stage	Characteristic
Infiltrative stage	Appears on the surface of the skin infiltrate- area of ​​swelling, redness and induration. It is painful, gradually increases in size, reaching an average of 1 - 3 cm. The skin around the infiltrate also becomes swollen and painful. The tingling feeling bothers me. A characteristic feature: an infiltrate always forms around the hair, since staphylococci primarily affect the hair follicle and multiply inside it. At this stage of the boil, the phrase “boil is brewing” is often used in everyday life.
Purulent-necrotic stage	It is observed 3 to 4 days after the first symptoms of a boil appear. A core consisting of pus and dead tissue appears in the center of the infiltrate. Its end protrudes above the surface of the skin in the form of an abscess. At a certain point in time, the thin layer of tissue covering the rod bursts, and pus and dead tissue come out. After this there is a significant improvement. All symptoms decrease: swelling and redness begin to subside, pain no longer bothers you. In common parlance, this condition is referred to by the phrase “the boil has broken through.”
Healing stage	After the pus is rejected, the wound remaining at the site of the boil begins to heal. If the boil was small, then after healing there are no signs left on the skin. Large ulcers leave behind scars.

Symptoms of furunculosis

Manifestations of furunculosis depend on the stage of the process, the location of the boil, and the state of the body’s immune forces.

Areas of the body where boils are most common:

• face: nose, nasolabial triangle(the area of ​​skin between the nose and upper lip), ear area
• back of the neck: in this case, the fact that the skin of the neck constantly experiences friction in contact with the collar plays a certain role
• forearms
• buttocks and thighs

Symptoms of a boil on the face

The face is one of the favorite places to localize a boil, since the skin on the face most often has increased oil content and there is a large number of sebaceous glands. The most common boils are the nose, upper lip, and ear canal area.

Characteristic symptoms and complaints of patients with nasal boils:

• the boil quickly becomes noticeable, since even with small sizes it leads to a cosmetic defect
• there is severe pain
• pain in the area of ​​the boil intensifies during movements of facial muscles, shaving, washing;
• Facial boils are more often than in other places, accompanied by an increase in body temperature and general malaise
• headaches are noted
• small boils resemble blackheads (pimples); attempts to squeeze them out are accompanied by severe pain.

Why is a facial boil dangerous?

The veins of the facial area are connected to the veins of the skull. When trying to squeeze out a boil on the face, carelessly pressing on it, the work of facial muscles, or a decrease in immunity, the infection can penetrate into the venous bed and lead to the development of thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the walls of the veins with the formation of blood clots. The face becomes swollen, acquires a bluish coloration, and is painful to touch. The general condition of the patient is severely disturbed, body temperature rises to 40⁰C.

Further, the infection can spread into the cranial cavity, leading to meningitis(inflammation of the meninges), meningoencephalitis(inflammation of the meninges and brain matter), sepsis(generalized inflammation).

There is a rule in purulent surgery: boils on the face that are located above the upper lip should be treated with the utmost caution.

Symptoms of a boil under the armpit

Boils in the armpit are relatively uncommon. Another disease is more common here - hidradenitis- purulent inflammation of the sweat gland.

In general, a boil in the axillary region is accompanied by the same symptoms as boils in other locations. An increase in pain is noted during movements in the shoulder joints, careless touches and pressure on the boil.

Symptoms of a boil in the groin area and on the lower limb

In the groin area, boils and hidradenitis may occur. A boil in the groin manifests itself with typical symptoms and goes through typical stages.

Conditions that may complicate a boil in the groin area and lower limb:

• Regional lymphadenitis. Inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the area of ​​the boil. It appears as a painful lump under the skin. With a boil in the groin, the inguinal lymph nodes are most often affected.
• Regional lymphangitis. Inflammation of the lymphatic vessel located next to the boil. It appears as a painful cord under the skin. Lymphangitis is often combined with lymphadenitis.

Symptoms of a boil in the genital area

Among the boils that arise in the genital area, the furuncle of the labia majora has the greatest specificity. Most often, its development is associated with bartholinitis- purulent staphylococcal inflammation of the Bartholin glands located in the thickness of the labia majora. Normally, their function is associated with the release of a special lubricant.
A furuncle of the labia majora is accompanied by swelling, redness, and severe pain.

Symptoms of a boil in the buttocks and back of the thigh

The largest boils are usually found in the area of ​​the buttocks and thighs. They are accompanied by the most severe symptoms.

Furunculosis

Furunculosis- a disease that is characterized by the appearance of a large number of boils on different parts of the body or in a limited area (most often on the buttocks, thighs). Furunculosis is also called constant recurrence, when after the healing of boils new ones constantly appear.

Types of furunculosis, depending on the severity of the process:

• acute furunculosis: there are many boils on the skin at the same time
• chronic furunculosis: sequential appearance of boils, when some disappear while others appear - this form of the disease usually occurs over a very long time

Types of furunculosis depending on the prevalence of elements:

• disseminated(common) furunculosis: boils are found throughout the body;
• localized(limited) furunculosis: all boils are concentrated in only one limited area.

Causes of furunculosis

The causes of individual boils and furunculosis are described above. Furunculosis almost always occurs against the background of decreased immunity.

Symptoms of furunculosis

Furunculosis is accompanied by the same symptoms as a single boil. Each element sequentially goes through three stages of development. But with furunculosis, signs of a violation of the general condition are more pronounced. Malaise and elevated body temperature are noted.

Complications of furunculosis

Complications with furunculosis are relatively common.

The most common complications of furunculosis:

• lymphadenitis- inflammation of nearby lymph nodes;
• lymphangitis- inflammation of nearby lymphatic vessels;
• sepsis, or, in common parlance - blood poisoning - a severe generalized infectious process;
• meningitis and meningoencephalitis - inflammation of the meninges and brain substance when infection penetrates into the cranial cavity (if the skin of the face and head is affected);
• arthritis - inflammation in the joints (with skin lesions in the joint area);
• glomerulonephritis - inflammatory kidney disease.

Treatment of furunculosis

When should you see a doctor to open a boil?

In most cases, uncomplicated boils do not require surgical treatment. Conservative techniques are used.

Treatment methods for uncomplicated boils at the infiltration stage:

• wiping the skin in the area of ​​the abscess with an antiseptic solution, most often with ordinary medical alcohol
• frequent hand washing with soap and antiseptics
• cauterization of the boil itself with iodine solution (5%)
• applying dry heat to the boil (under no circumstances apply compresses to the area of ​​the boil: this helps loosen the abscess and spread it to surrounding tissues)
• UHF therapy
• laser therapy

Despite the fact that a boil can be treated at home, it is still worth contacting a surgeon or dermatologist at the clinic. The doctor will examine the abscess and give recommendations for treatment. If appropriate indications are found, the doctor will give a referral for hospital treatment. If necessary, he will perform a blockade: he will inject a mixture of antibiotic and anesthetic solutions (Novocaine) into the area of ​​the boil.

Treatment methods for uncomplicated boils at the stage of formation of the rod

When the abscess has already formed, you need to help ensure that its opening occurs as quickly as possible.

What is important to remember:

• only a doctor after an examination can say exactly what stage the boil is at and whether it is ready to burst
• In no case should you try to squeeze out the abscess yourself: any pressure on the boil can cause it to begin to spread to surrounding tissues

Methods for treating boils at the stage of formation of a purulent-necrotic core:

• The doctor applies a bandage with several salicylic acid crystals to the skin in the area of ​​the boil. After some time, they corrode the cover of the boil and contribute to the release of the purulent-necrotic core.
• The doctor removes the purulent-necrotic rod using a thin clamp. This is done very carefully, avoiding pressing on the boil.

After the abscess has broken through, the doctor places a small rubber strip cut from a glove into it. There will be an outflow of pus through it. Apply a bandage. After 3 days, the gum is removed, the bandage is removed, and the boil is treated with brilliant green.

When is surgical treatment indicated for a boil?

One of the complications of a boil is subcutaneous abscess(abscess). It is formed when pus spreads into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. A subcutaneous abscess must be opened. Such patients are treated in a hospital setting.

Is it possible to squeeze out a boil?

It is especially dangerous to squeeze out boils located on the face.

When should you start taking antibiotics for a boil?

For uncomplicated boils, antibiotic therapy and other general treatment methods are not prescribed.

Conditions for which antibiotic therapy is indicated:

• complications of boils: lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, thrombophlebitis, etc.
• boils located in the facial area
• boils that occur against the background of other serious diseases: diabetes, severe infections, HIV, etc.

Antibiotics used to treat boils

Name	Application
Penicillins: ampicillin amoxicillin amoxiclav	Antibiotics from the penicillin group are the oldest. Many of them remain effective against staphylococci and other microorganisms. Penicillins are broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs.
Cephalosporins: ceftriaxone cefuroxime cefotaxime	Usually more effective than penicillins. These antibiotics are prescribed most often because they have a relatively low cost and a pronounced effect. Available in the form of powders for dilution and injection.
Gentamicin	It is a fairly powerful antibacterial drug, but has a number of contraindications. Under no circumstances should it be used by children or pregnant women. Available in the form of tablets, injection solutions and ointments. Local forms (ointments) have fewer contraindications.
Tetracycline	Broad-spectrum antibiotic. Effective against many types of microorganisms. Can be used for general (in tablets) and local (in the form of ointment) treatment of boils.
Levomycetin	Powerful antibiotic. It is used topically for boils, in the form of an ointment (see below).

Attention! Self-medication with antibiotics for boils is often ineffective and can lead to negative consequences. These medications must be prescribed by a doctor.

In addition to the use of antibiotics, such general treatment methods as UV therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

What to do if boils appear frequently? Treatment of furunculosis.

If a large number of boils appear on the body at once, or they occur very often, then this condition is called furunculosis.

Self-medication of furunculosis most often does not bring any effect. Improper treatment can lead to further spread of the process and serious complications. To prescribe the correct therapy, you must consult a doctor.

Treatment methods for furunculosis :

Method	Description
UV therapy	Ultraviolet radiation has an antibacterial effect and promotes tissue regeneration.
Laser therapy	Effects of laser radiation: destruction of pathogens improving blood circulation and skin regeneration pain reduction
T-activin	Immunostimulant, promotes the formation and activation of leukocytes - immune cells. Treatment with T-activin is carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
Antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin	Immunoglobulins are antibodies that protect the body from foreign antigens. For furunculosis, antibodies produced against staphylococci are used. Treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Interferon
Antibiotics	See above “Antibiotics that are used to treat boils”
Rinoleukin	A drug that stimulates the body's general defenses.

What to do if the boil opens on its own, but a lot of pus flows out of it?

After the boil has opened, it must be washed with hydrogen peroxide and a clean bandage applied. After this, wash your hands thoroughly. Contact your doctor at the clinic as soon as possible.

Traditional methods of treating boils

Attention: Improper self-medication can lead to the spread of the purulent process and the development of severe complications. Therefore, before using any traditional methods for treating boils, be sure to consult your doctor.

Coniferous baths for boils

Substances that pine and spruce needles contain:

• phytoncides- destroy pathogens
• vitamin C- is an antioxidant, protects cells from damage, increases protective functions
• tannins- tone the skin and close skin pores.

In order to take pine baths, it is enough to buy essential oil. You need to dilute a few drops of it in a warm bath and take it for 15-20 minutes daily.

Treatment of boils with aloe leaves

This method is used for ripening boils ( in the stage of infiltration and purulent-necrotic stage) in order to accelerate its breakthrough and rejection of the purulent-necrotic rod.

Aloe is a houseplant that is often grown in pots. It has succulent leaves. To speed up the breakthrough of the boil, their juice is used. The aloe leaf is cut and applied with a cut to the abscess, fixing it with an adhesive plaster. So you need to walk constantly, replacing the aloe leaf 1 - 2 times a day.

Preparation of ointment for boils

Ingredients:

• beeswax - 100 grams
• unrefined vegetable oil - 500 ml
• spruce sulfur - small amount
• lower part of the onion - 10 pieces

It is necessary to pour vegetable oil into an enamel pan and put on fire. When it boils, add beeswax and spruce sulfur. After 30 minutes, add the bottoms of the onions. Cook the resulting mixture for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and skimming off any foam that forms. Then remove from heat, strain, and pour into clean containers. The ointment should cool down, thicken, take on a yellow color and a pleasant smell.

Mode of application: Periodically lubricate the areas where boils occur.

Treatment of boils with garlic

Substances contained in garlic:

• phytoncides - destroy pathogenic microorganisms;
• adaptogens - tone living organs and tissues, help increase defenses.

Method 1. Cut the garlic clove into thin pieces. Take one of them, apply the cut to the boil, and secure with a bandage. Walk like this for a day until the abscess matures and breaks through.

Method 2. Grate a clove of garlic. Apply to the boil and secure with adhesive tape. Walk like this for a day until the abscess matures and breaks through.

Ointments for furunculosis

For furunculosis, ointments containing antibacterial drugs are mainly used.

Gentamicin	Description: Ointment in tubes, from 15 to 80 g. Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is effective against many types of infections, including staphylococcal. Mode of application: Apply to the location of boils 2 - 3 times a day. Usually the course of treatment lasts 7 - 14 days.
Tetracycline	Description: Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Effective against many types of microorganisms, including staphylococci. Available in tubes of 100 g. Method of application 1. Apply a small amount of ointment to the areas location of boils 2 - 3 times a day. Method of application 2. Apply bandages with tetracycline ointment. Change every 12 - 24 hours.
Levomycetin	Description. Levomycetin is a powerful antibiotic that has a pronounced effect in purulent processes. Available for local cutaneous use for furunculosis in the form of liniment (a thick mass like an ointment). Sold in tubes of 25 and 30 g, in cans of 25 and 60 g. Mode of application: Make bandages with chloramphenicol liniment, change once a day.
Levomekol	Active substances: chloramphenicol- antibacterial agent, active against purulent infections methyluracil- a drug that stimulates tissue regeneration Description. Levomekol not only has pronounced antibacterial properties, but also stimulates tissue regeneration. Therefore, it is used for large opened boils for speedy cleansing and healing. Mode of application: Soak a sterile gauze pad with ointment and apply it to the wound. Apply a bandage. Perform dressings daily.
Sintomycin	Description. Syntomycin is an antibiotic, which in its chemical structure is very similar to chloramphenicol. Also available in the form of liniment, in 25 g jars. Mode of application. Apply liniment to the area where the boil is located. Place a bandage over it. Perform dressings daily.
Dimexide	Description. A medication belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Eliminates inflammation and pain. Mode of application: Moisten a sterile gauze pad with dimexide. Apply to the location of the boil and apply a bandage. Do dressings daily.

The effectiveness of ichthyol ointment in the treatment of furunculosis

Ichthyol ointment is an ointment prepared on the basis of the active component ichthyol. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effects. Ichthyol ointment is widely used in the treatment of boils.

The antibacterial properties of ichthyol ointment apply to all strains of streptococci and staphylococci.

The pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of ichthyol ointment appears several hours after its application to the surface of the boil.

Method of using ichthyol ointment for furunculosis

The required amount of ichthyol ointment is applied to the surface of the boil so that it covers the abscess in the form of a cake. Place a cotton swab on top and stick it with an adhesive plaster. The tampon should be changed every 8 hours. After about a day there is improvement.

The effectiveness of Vishnevsky ointment in the treatment of furunculosis

Vishnevsky ointment(full name - balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky) is a combined drug with a complex composition and several active components.

Basic steps: disinfectant, irritant. Vishnevsky ointment destroys many types of pathogens. By irritating the skin, it stimulates tissue regeneration. With a boil, Vishnevsky’s ointment helps soften the walls of the abscess and allow it to penetrate deep into the tissue. This creates a threat of developing a subcutaneous abscess - an abscess. Therefore, the use of Vishnevsky ointment for boils is not practiced.

Why does a boil occur in a pregnant woman and how does it manifest?

Why is a boil dangerous during pregnancy?

Germs can harm both the expectant mother and the baby.

For mother

A weakened immune system sometimes causes Bacteria spread more easily through the bloodstream to other areas of the skin and organs, causing the development of furunculosis or complications (meningitis, lymphadenitis, sepsis and others).

For the fetus

There is a high risk of infection of the membranes and fetus. Moreover, the consequences depend on the duration of pregnancy.

In the first trimester

The formation of internal organs is disrupted, which leads to the formation of congenital malformations: heart, kidneys and others. Moreover, they are often incompatible with life, so a miscarriage occurs.

In the second trimester

• Intrauterine infection of the fetus mainly manifests itself after birth. When the lungs are damaged, pneumonia or pleurisy develops, the heart - carditis, the meninges - meningitis and others.
• When the membranes become infected, fetoplacental insufficiency develops (a syndrome in which all functions of the placenta are disrupted). As a result, the fetus experiences oxygen starvation, its growth and development are delayed, and the risk of premature birth increases.
• There is a high probability of developing mastitis in the mother after the birth of the child.

What are the causes of chronic furunculosis?

Common factors contribute to the formation of the disease:

• Severe disturbances in the functioning of all parts of the immune system - for example, with HIV infection, congenital immunodeficiency.
• At taking medications to treat tumors- cytostatics that disrupt the division and development of all cells in the body, including tumor cells.
• For autoimmune diseases(psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) drugs are used that suppress the activity of the immune system (Arava, Methotrexate, Metypred).
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: chronic gastroduodenitis, chronic cholecystitis, erosive bulbitis and others.
• Disturbance of normal intestinal microflora with a predominance of coccal forms, which include Staphylococcus aureus.
• The presence of foci of chronic infection. Most often - ENT organs: tonsillitis (tonsillitis), sinusitis, pharyngitis and others.
• Endocrine diseases, causing disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism (diabetes mellitus), the production of hormones by the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) and sex glands (hypogonadism, amenorrhea).
• The presence of allergic diseases or a tendency to allergic reactions: bronchial asthma, allergy to house dust and others. Because in these cases the functioning of the immune system is also impaired.

What are the symptoms of chronic furunculosis?

Most often, the disease occurs in a relapsing form - when, after a period of imaginary well-being (remission), signs of the disease reappear.

The course and manifestations of the disease are determined by the degrees of severity

What are the causes of boils in children?

Due to the characteristics of the body, the disease occurs somewhat more often in children than in adults.

The main “culprit” of the boil is Staphylococcus aureus. However, its reproduction is normally controlled by the immune system. Whereas with the combined influence of certain local and general factors, the disease develops.

Local factors

• Constant rubbing of clothing or minor skin injuries(abrasions, abrasions, scratches), which is not uncommon in children.
• Allergic diseases- for example atopic dermatitis. There is dry skin, erosions and peeling appear on the skin, the child scratches the skin due to itching, and the functioning of the immune system is disrupted.
• Close contact with contaminated objects- for example, while playing outside or in the sandbox.
• Features of skin structure: Children have a thin upper (horny) layer of skin, it has a well-developed network of capillaries and blood supply. Therefore, any microbes enter the skin easily, and then quickly spread through the blood or lymph flow to other areas.
• Poor personal hygiene leads to children introducing bacteria into a wound or abrasion with unwashed palms.

General factors

• Presence in the body foci of chronic infection, in which colonies of staphylococci live (isolated cluster). From them, through the blood and/or lymph flow, bacteria are spread to all organs and tissues, including the skin. The leading diseases are from the ENT organs: chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis).


• Imperfect immune system, which matures in the process of growing up. Therefore, microbes easily penetrate the body without encountering obstacles on their way.


• Endocrine disorders. In children and adolescents, as a rule, hormonal instability of the body plays a large role in the occurrence of boils.
  Under the influence of sex hormones, the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. Increased production of sebum begins, which leads to blockage of the outlet (mouth) of the sebaceous glands of the hair follicle (sac). In such conditions, infection occurs more easily. In addition, sebum is an excellent breeding ground for staphylococci.
  However, often other endocrine diseases contribute to the development of furunculosis in adolescents and children - for example, diabetes mellitus or dysfunction of the thyroid gland.


• Gastrointestinal diseases: gastritis, colitis, ulcers and others. Digestion of food is disrupted, as is the supply of microelements and vitamins to the body. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus may be present in the intestines.


• Anemia, lack of vitamins and nutrients, physical or emotional stress, anorexia in adolescents(decreased appetite, deliberate refusal to eat) lead to disruption of the immune system.


• The intensive work of the sweat and sebaceous glands is due to immaturity of thermoregulation processes in children under seven years of age. As a result, sweat and sebum quickly accumulate on the surface of the skin. According to research, under such conditions, local immunity decreases, and the protective function of the skin decreases by 17 times.


• Helminthiasis reduce the activity of the immune system, which is quite common in children.

What are the symptoms of boils in children?

A boil can develop on any area of ​​the skin where hair is present, since the disease affects the hair follicles and the adjacent sebaceous gland.

Whereas a boil never forms on the skin of the palms and soles, since there is no hair in these areas.

There are two forms of the disease:

• A large single abscess appears on a limited area of ​​skin. In this case, with timely and adequate treatment, recovery usually occurs within 8-10 days.
• Furunculosis develops: Many boils appear on the skin. The disease can be acute or chronic in its course.

Single boil in children

A large abscess appears, which in its development goes through the same stages as in adults.

However In children there are some differences in the course of the disease:

• As a rule, several symptoms are more pronounced intoxication: The body temperature rises to high levels (38-39°C), general malaise appears, the child refuses to eat, and complains of a headache.
• Despite the rapid course of the disease, usually cure in children occurs in a shorter time than in adults. In addition, a chronic process develops less often.
• Furuncle in children of wounded age(up to three years) is most often located in places that are difficult to reach for treatment - for example, at the base of the nasal passages.
  Whereas preschoolers and junior schoolchildren boils are mainly located on the nose (slopes, back and base of the nasal passages), forehead, cheeks and chin.
  In other areas of the skin, boils develop somewhat less frequently.
• Due to the location of the boils, as well as the abundant and good blood supply to the skin, there is high risk of spreading infection from the primary focus with the development of acute furunculosis or complications (sepsis, thrombosis of the cavernous veins and others).

Furunculosis in children

Ulcers can appear either in the form of separate clusters on a certain area of ​​the skin or spread to other areas.

Acute furunculosis in children

There are several boils on the skin that appear almost simultaneously. Therefore, they are at the same stage of development.

In this case, as a rule, the child’s general condition is sharply disturbed: he becomes lethargic and refuses to eat, his body temperature rises to high levels and is difficult to lower.

In this case, the course of the disease usually resembles a severe infectious process. Moreover, the general trend is this: the younger the child, the more severe the disease.

Chronic furunculosis in children

Typically, boils are at different stages of development: at the same time, red bumps, ulcers, and wounds can be seen on the skin after the pus is rejected.

However, most often the disease occurs in a relapsing form: periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of apparent well-being (remission).

The general condition of the child is usually disturbed when new boils appear, resembling the acute course of the disease.

How to treat chronic furunculosis?

This task is quite difficult, since numerous factors lead to its development. Therefore, an integrated approach is required.

Basic principles

1. Local and general treatment is carried out depending on the stage of development of the boil and the complications that have developed.

At the compaction stage - local treatment with antiseptics, ultraviolet radiation, applications with antibacterial ointments. At the stage of rod formation, if necessary, the boils are opened, drained, treated with antiseptic solutions, and bandaged with antibacterial ointments are applied. When indicated, antibiotics are prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of the microbe to them.
2. Impact on the underlying disease

It is carried out at any stage of development of furunculosis: treatment of foci of chronic infection, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine diseases (for example, diabetes) and others. Therapy is carried out by specialized specialists: ENT doctor, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and others.
3. Improving immune system function

An immunologist prescribes medications depending on the type of immune system disorder and the stage of the disease. With timely treatment, chronic furunculosis is cured in 80% of cases within 1-2 months of treatment.

How to increase immunity during furunculosis?

• Antiseptics- drugs that prevent or suppress the growth of bacteria - Betadine (only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy), Chlorhexidine.
• Ointments— Levomekol, Ichthyol, Syntomycin.

General treatment

Antibiotics are prescribed that are approved for use during pregnancy, taking into account the period: penicillins (Amoxiclav, Ampicillin), cephalosporins (Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone, Suprax, Cefepime), macrolides (Erythromycin, Rovamycin, Vilprafen).

However, antibiotics are only used in case of emergency:

• When complications develop - for example, lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes), lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels) and others.
• If the boil is located in a dangerous place: face, neck, scalp.
• For acute or chronic furunculosis.
• In the presence of common diseases - for example, diabetes, HIV infection, pyelonephritis and others.

Use of drugs improving the functioning of the immune system, not recommended during pregnancy.

Treatment of foci of chronic infection

The most common “place of residence” of Staphylococcus aureus is the pharynx and nasopharynx. The microbe is detected by culture from the nasopharynx.

Local processing

1. Antiseptic solutions are used, which are approved for use during pregnancy and also inhibit the growth and reproduction of Staphylococcus aureus.

• Alcohol solution used for gargling. Before use, it is diluted as follows: one teaspoon per 200 ml of warm water.
• Oil solution the pharynx, back wall of the pharynx, tonsils are treated and the nasal cavity is instilled.
• Spray The mouth, throat and nose are irrigated.

All procedures are carried out 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 7-10 days.

2. Used staphylococcal bacteriophage which is safe for the fetus:

• The nasopharynx is irrigated: two or three pipettes of the solution are inserted into each nasal passage. Anything that gets into your throat should be swallowed.
• Then you should leave a cotton swab soaked in the bacteriophage in the cavity of each nostril for 5-7 minutes.

Treatment is carried out in the intervals between meals - from one to three times a day. Duration of treatment is 7-10 days.

Moreover, both drugs are also good because they carriage of staphylococcus in the intestines they can be used internally.

How to protect the fetus from infection?

Sometimes carried out immunization with staphylococcal toxoid at 32, 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. To do this, 0.5 ml of the drug is injected subcutaneously at the angle of the scapula.

What vitamins should I take for furunculosis?

Vitamins A and E improve skin nutrition and wound healing, promote cell renewal, and participate in protein synthesis.

Vitamin C increases the body's resistance to infections, improving the functioning of the immune system.

B vitamins normalize the functioning of the stomach, intestines, liver, endocrine glands (for example, thyroid), nervous system, participate in protein synthesis and other processes.

It is not difficult to compensate for the deficiency of such a number of vitamins at the same time. Since the modern pharmaceutical industry offers a large selection combination vitamin preparations, also containing minerals such as iron, calcium and others. For example Vitrum, Multi-Tabs, Centrum.

However, practice proves that it is still better take vitamins separately, in small courses.

For example, drugs with B vitamins- brewer's yeast, Milgamma, Neurobex, Tricortin and others. You can also compensate for the deficiency of B vitamins by taking dietary supplements - for example, Mega B Complex, B vitamins - dietary supplement "Tiens".

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid Available in tablets or dragees with similar names.

How is a boil treated for diabetes?

In compliance with key principles: local treatment, prescription of immunostimulants, vitamins and other drugs.

However, in diabetes mellitus the main emphasis is on normalizing metabolism and carbohydrates: diet therapy (discussed in the section below) and prescription of medications.