What causes boils on the body. What does the body signal when boils appear? Additional diagnostic methods may include

Furunculosis is a dermatological disease accompanied by the formation of ulcers on the skin.

The disease affects the deep layers of the skin and is caused mainly by a staphylococcal infection. The fact that the focus of the pathological process is located quite deep gives grounds to say that after suffering from furunculosis, scars may appear at the site of localization of pustular formations.

Furunculosis can cause multiple skin inflammations. It is prone to frequent relapses and can last for several years. The disease is not only unpleasant - it is very dangerous, therefore its causes, main features of manifestation and methods of treatment should be known to everyone.

Reasons for the development of furunculosis

The causative agent of furunculosis and the only reason for its development is the presence of strains of Staphylococcus aureus on human skin. In healthy people, these microorganisms are also present, but they constitute only part of the opportunistic microflora. This means that under the influence of certain factors, staphylococci are capable of launching a massive attack, causing the development of various diseases. One of these is furunculosis.

In order to give rise to the disease, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for staphylococcus. These are often mechanical damage to the skin: abrasions, scratches, cracks, cuts, etc. But we cannot exclude the influence of other factors that contribute to the development of furunculosis:

  • poisoning;
  • abrasions on the surface of the epidermis;
  • hypothermia;
  • chronic pathologies;
  • neglect of hygiene rules;
  • obesity;
  • severe intoxication of the body;
  • deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
  • use of certain groups of medications.

Frequent reasons for the development of furunculosis are severe stress, psycho-emotional disorders, weak immunity, unable to resist the attack of pathogenic microorganisms.

Stages of development and forms of manifestation

The development of furunculosis occurs in 3 stages:

  1. The first stage is characterized by the formation of an infiltrate. The skin around the source of inflammation turns red, thickens and becomes swollen. When touched, it is painful. A hair follicle is visible in the center of the neoplasm.
  2. 3-4 days after the formation of the infiltrate, the necrosis stage begins. A shaft begins to form around the hair, inside which there is pus and dead tissue. A round abscess of white or yellowish color appears on the surface of the skin. On top of it there is a thin membrane that is prone to spontaneous opening. As a result, a boil occurs. At the same time, there is a decrease in pain and pressure in the part of the body affected by the boil. Hyperemia gradually disappears, swelling decreases significantly. In this case, they talk about a “boil breakthrough.”
  3. Healing phase. At this stage, tissue regeneration occurs in the area of ​​the damaged area of ​​the body. If the boil was of impressive size, it is quite possible that after opening it the person will be left with scars or scars.

On average, the disease goes through all 3 phases within 10 days.

Most often, boils can be located in the area:

  • face (nose, cheeks, forehead, behind-the-ear area);
  • neck (back and sides);
  • forearms;
  • elbows;
  • hips;
  • buttocks;
  • less often - knees and shins.

The face is the most common location for ulcers. Boils localized above the upper lip, in the area of ​​the nose and ear canal are quite painful.

Clinical picture

In the area where the infection has occurred, a small abscess appears surrounding the hair follicle. After a few days, the pathological process completely engulfs the entire follicle. In appearance, the boil has a cone-shaped shape, inside of which there is purulent content. The neoplasm reaches 3-4 cm in diameter, but if left untreated it can increase.

An inflamed (edematous and hyperemic) area of ​​skin appears around the abscess. When you touch it, a sensation of pain arises, the source of which, as felt, is located inside the pustular capsule. The boil breaks out 7-10 days after its formation, accompanied by the leakage of pus and the release of the rod. The skin on the damaged surface gradually scars.

If the location of the boil is the face or neck, the above symptoms are accompanied by increased body temperature and signs of intoxication of the body. Muscle pain and a feeling of chills may occur. In severe cases of furunculosis, facial expressions are impaired, and the patient suffers from severe headaches.

Furunculosis on the face - photo

What furunculosis looks like on the face at the initial and late stages of development can be seen in the photos below:

Diagnostics

Furunculosis is not particularly difficult to diagnose. To begin with, a thorough history is taken and a visual examination of the skin areas affected by ulcers. Based on the data obtained, the doctor makes an initial conclusion about the nature of the disease.

If doubts arise about the correctness of the diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed an additional procedure - bacterial culture to determine the causative agent of the pathology. During the procedure, a small amount of the contents of the pustules is collected for further laboratory testing.

A blood test and immunological tests are required. If these measures do not provide a complete picture of the disease, a detailed instrumental examination of the patient is carried out. But doctors rarely resort to such diagnostic methods.

Complications

The main complication of furunculosis is the occurrence of cosmetic defects caused by scarring. The formation of abscesses is especially dangerous in people with general exhaustion of the body. In such patients, the disease is often complicated by the formation of an abscess (abscess) or phlegmon (purulent melting) of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

The formation of boils in the upper lip area is of great danger. From here, the infection can spread to the brain through the lymph and venous bloodstream. This can also lead to the development of sepsis.

Infection of the veins causes the occurrence. From the blood vessels, staphylococcus penetrates the sinuses of the dura mater, leading to a serious illness - basal meningitis. It is characterized by the formation of edema on the face. On palpation, thickening of the veins is noted; the patient may complain of their soreness.

The patient's temperature may rise to 40 °C or higher, and muscle stiffness may occur. The patient complains of headaches and blurred vision, and may experience confusion.

If ulcers have formed on the neck or shoulder, lymphadenitis may develop - purulent inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes. When Staphylococcus aureus penetrates the blood, ulcers can appear on internal organs - liver, kidneys, etc.

Complications of furunculosis can occur against the background of:

  • attempts to squeeze or puncture the boil;
  • injuries received while shaving;
  • improper treatment using only local medications (ointments, gels, compresses).

Ulcers localized on the nose or in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle lead to various complications of furunculosis.

How to treat furunculosis?

To undergo an examination with further development of a treatment regimen, you must consult a dermatologist. If the abscess needs to be opened, the patient is given a referral to a surgeon.

During treatment, it is necessary to limit hygiene procedures and manipulations that could damage the membrane of an immature abscess. You can take warm baths (but not hot ones, as they can speed up the pathological process), or lightly rub the affected areas of the skin with antibacterial agents. In this case, it is necessary to carefully treat the epidermis around the abscess to prevent the spread of infection.

It is strictly prohibited:

  • squeezing out the abscess;
  • the use of wet warming compresses and lotions;
  • massaging the skin in the area of ​​purulent lesion.

Such measures will lead to aggravation of the situation and damage to other tissues.

Diet

With furunculosis, you need a diet enriched with proteins, including those of animal origin. Plant fiber is also of great importance. It is better to exclude sweets and fats from the menu.

For exhausted patients, a different menu is being developed, which necessarily includes:

  • porridge with added butter;
  • chicken broths;
  • steamed fish cakes;
  • baked fruits and vegetables, meat;
  • fermented milk products.

You need to eat as many berries, vegetables and fruits as possible. At the same time, you should reduce the amount of allergenic foods, salt and spices consumed.

Local therapy

If there is only one boil, then without the risk of relapse it can be treated only with local drugs. Therapy is carried out at home, following a few simple rules.

  1. Trim the hair around the boil, trying not to touch it, but under no circumstances shave the abscess!
  2. Treat the surface of the new growth with potassium permanganate, then with ichthyol. The latter remedy is used as a compress, which is wrapped on top with a bandage or gauze. Ichthyol is used morning and evening. Before reapplying the ointment, the remnants of the previous product must be removed using a cotton swab dipped in warm water. After this, the infiltrate is treated with an alcohol solution of salicylic or boric acid.
  3. If an abscess has just begun to form, then to prevent its further development, you can use iodine or a solution of brilliant green.
  4. To prevent further formation of a purulent core, the boil can be treated with salicylic acid.
  5. After opening the abscess, treat its location with a hypertonic solution of furatsilin. It is also useful to wash the cavity of the resulting wound with the antiseptic drug Chlorhexidine. Manipulations are carried out 2 times a day.
  6. After complete cleansing of the ulcer from pus, applications or dressings with Vishnevsky ointment, Levomekol, Sintomycin liniment, Erythromycin, etc. are used. Dressings should be done once every 2 days, while the use of circular dressings is not recommended. The edges of the medicated napkin are carefully attached to healthy skin using an adhesive tape.

When there are boils on the face, the patient needs to remain in bed and try to talk as little as possible so as not to strain the muscles. Sometimes it may be necessary to hospitalize the patient in a hospital.

Antibiotics for furunculosis

Treatment of multiple boils is carried out using antibiotics. The drugs are selected by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the data obtained from the antibiogram on the sensitivity of staphylococcus to specific pharmaceuticals. Often they resort to the use of systemic (tablet) medications, less often - injections (intramuscular or intravenous).

Basically, broad-spectrum drugs are used:

  1. or related to the penicillin series.
  2. Cephalexin or Ceftriaxone - from cephalosporins.
  3. Sumamed or - from the group of macrolides.
  4. Lincomycin - from lincosamides, etc.

The course of therapy usually lasts 10 days, but can be shortened or prolonged (rarely) exclusively by the attending physician.

Immunotherapy and vitamin use

The maximum effect of antibiotic therapy can only be achieved with parallel immunotherapy and the use of vitamins. To stimulate the immune system, it is advisable to use:

  • multivitamin complexes containing minerals (zinc, selenium);
  • preparations based on vitamins C and A;
  • vitamin complexes based on B vitamins (especially in case of depletion of the body and constant physical or emotional stress);
  • autohemotherapy (blood transfusion);
  • staphylococcal vaccine.

To improve the functioning of the immune system, it is important to properly organize your diet, give the body proper rest and avoid gastrointestinal pathologies. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe medications that normalize and support intestinal microflora. This is especially important when taking antibiotics.

Folk remedies

For a single boil, treatment can also be carried out using folk remedies. Many of them can be used in parallel with medications prescribed by a doctor. Below are the most effective alternative medicine recipes to combat furunculosis.

  1. Mix beeswax in a proportion of 100 g with spruce sulfur, lower parts of onions and vegetable oil. The last ingredient must first be boiled, and only then add wax and sulfur. After half an hour, put the onion into the boiling mixture, then boil it for another hour, regularly skimming off the foam that forms on the surface of the mixture with a spoon. The cooled medicine is poured into jars, and when it thickens, it is applied to the affected areas of the skin several times a day.
  2. Cut an aloe leaf and apply the pulp to the boils. You can use a paste made from this plant.
  3. Wipe with laundry soap and mix with a small amount of water. Soak sterile gauze or bandage in the mixture and apply to sore areas. Applications need to be changed 4 times a day.
  4. Mix the egg yolk with 15 ml of honey and a small amount of flour. Add a little water and make a cake, which you then apply to the boils.
  5. Lubricate the affected areas with decoctions of horsetail or oak bark.

Surgical assistance

If the boil enlarges and damages healthy tissue, it is surgically opened. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. During the manipulation, the abscess is opened, its contents are removed along with the shaft and hair follicle.

After the procedure, a sterile bandage is applied to the treated area. It must be changed daily, lubricating the area of ​​skin affected by the intervention with antiseptic solutions or ointments.

The wound healing period lasts from 1 to 4 weeks. It all depends on the size of the abscess.

Sometimes, when opening an abscess, it is necessary to insert a drainage tube, with the help of which the pus will be drained. This procedure helps prevent re-suppuration.

Recently, treatment of furunculosis has been carried out using a laser. This therapy is painless and highly effective, and after it there are practically no scars left at the treatment site.

Prevention

You can prevent the development of furunculosis by following these simple rules:

  • keep your body clean and use only individual towels and hygiene products;
  • treat damaged skin areas with antiseptic agents;
  • Avoid squeezing pimples and other formations on the skin;
  • carefully monitor your diet, consume flour, sweets, and fried foods to a minimum;
  • provide adequate physical activity to stimulate the body's defenses.

A strong immune system can cope with infectious processes and prevent their progression. But if boils do appear, you must immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis.

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It happens that even a person with perfect skin one day discovers a painful abscess on some part of the body. This is what a boil looks like. An annoying cosmetic defect is not always harmless and, if handled incorrectly, can cause serious trouble. What should be the correct treatment for a boil? What can and what absolutely cannot be done with it? In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor? You will find answers to these and many other questions in this article.

A boil is usually called a purulent-necrotic inflammation that occurs in the hair follicle and spreads to the surrounding tissues.

To understand where and how this happens, you will have to delve a little deeper into the study of the structure of hair.

Hair is modified keratinized cells of the epidermis. They consist of:

  • the rod that we see above the surface of the skin;
  • root located directly in its thickness.

The root “sits” in the follicular sac (you’ve probably seen it at the tip of plucked eyebrows), where the hair is nourished. The ducts of the sebaceous and sweat glands exit into the cavity of the pouch. It is important to know that sebum has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, and therefore normally protects the dermis from pathogenic microorganisms. But if something goes wrong, microbes that live in abundance on the skin get inside the hair follicle and cause inflammation there. This is how the formation of a boil begins.

Visually, this is manifested by the formation of a dense inflamed area on the skin, which enlarges for some time, and then breaks through with the release of pus and the release of a necrotic core. A boil can appear on any part of the body where there is hair. This means everywhere except the palms and feet.

  1. Most often it forms on the face (in approximately 60% of cases).
  2. The second place for the frequency of rashes is the back of the head.
  3. With varying degrees of success, inflammation periodically occurs on the buttocks, thighs, shoulders, and groin area.

Adults are more susceptible to the disease than children, and men suffer from this problem more often than women. Boils can appear at any age, but most often affect people between 10 and 40 years old.

Causes of boils

Having understood the mechanism of inflammation, we have not yet figured out what is the prerequisite for this. There are many reasons why sebum cannot cope with the attack of microbes. Let's look at the main ones.

  1. Mechanical damage to the skin. This can happen while shaving, due to regular rubbing (for example, under the armpits or in the groin) or for other reasons.
  2. Overdrying of the skin with alcohol products and cosmetic procedures. As a result of these actions, the epidermis loses its protective lipid layer and, in addition, becomes covered with microcracks.
  3. Poor hygiene or lack thereof. Too frequent hygiene procedures destroy the natural protection of the skin. And insufficient cleansing promotes the growth of bacteria.
  4. Decreased immunity, regardless of the reasons. Hypothermia, exacerbation of chronic diseases, infection, etc.
  5. Increased sweating in combination with a violation of the protective functions of the skin. Therefore, in the hot season, boils bother people more often. Athletes and people involved in physical work in unfavorable conditions are also susceptible to the disease.
  6. Prolonged skin contact with pathogenic nasal discharge due to rhinitis or other infectious diseases.
  7. Professional factor (working with chemicals, dust, etc.)
  8. Hormonal disorders caused by adrenal hyperfunction. These organs are responsible, among other things, for the secretion of the sebaceous glands.
  9. Diabetes mellitus.

In each case, the intensity of the disease is individual and treatment methods differ.

So, an accidental cut will most likely cause a single boil in the area of ​​damage. And hormonal imbalance can lead to multiple inflammations in different parts of the body. This condition is called furunculosis and requires serious treatment.

Theoretically, absolutely any bacteria that lives on the skin can provoke inflammation. But most often the winner's laurels go to staphylococcus. This microorganism lives on the human body and surrounding objects constantly and is part of the natural microflora. As long as the immune system is strong, staphylococcus is not dangerous, but as soon as a gap appears in the protective system, the insidious bacterium does not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the moment.

Symptoms of a boil

The appearance of a single boil is accompanied by localized pain, swelling and sharp redness of the affected area. If inflammation develops on the face, in the area of ​​the lymph nodes, or simply when the abscess is large, fever and deterioration in general condition may appear.

The development of a boil normally goes through three stages.

  1. The appearance of infiltration. The follicle gradually becomes inflamed, the tissue around it becomes harder, turns red, and swells. Acute pain appears when touched. People say that the boil is ripening.
  2. Formation of necrosis. After 3-4 days, a necrotic core consisting of dead cells and pus forms around the hair inside the diseased follicle. A noticeable abscess with a white or black head now appears on the skin, which will open on its own over time. When this happens, the pus will come out first, and then the rod itself will come off. An open wound will form at the site of the boil, swelling will subside, and inflammation will disappear.
  3. Healing. A small abscess usually leaves no trace after healing. But if the inflammation was extensive, then the place where the abscess was opened resembles an ulcer, which takes a long time to heal and leaves a scar on the skin.

Despite the fact that a boil is usually quite easy to identify, in some cases even doctors need to conduct tests to make an accurate diagnosis. For example, inflammation of the follicle on the buttock should be differentiated from inflammation of the sciatic nerve, on the penis - from diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse, and so on. Therefore, before applying life-giving plantain to a sore spot, still visit a surgeon or dermatologist with the problem that worries you.

Species and types

Most often, with proper therapy, even at home, a boil does not pose a danger. But in certain parts of the body, inflammation can be extremely dangerous and even lead to sepsis and other complications.

Depending on the number and location of foci of inflammation, they are usually distinguished.

  1. Inflammation of one hair follicle is called a boil.
  2. Inflammation of several follicles located nearby is already a carbuncle.
  3. Multiple inflammations formed on different parts of the body are furunculosis.

Boil on the body

On the body, a boil (as people call it a boil) can appear in the most unexpected place. The largest ones form on the buttocks and thighs. But their most common place is the lower back. They often say that a person has been blown away. Indeed, the appearance of an abscess can provoke a local decrease in immunity. Typically, such isolated rashes go away on their own and do not require surgical intervention. It is only important to make sure that the affected area is not rubbed or injured.

Furuncle in the ear

One of the most painful and dangerous places where a boil can appear is the auricle, lobe and area around the ear. Here the boils are especially painful, to the point of being impossible to touch. An abscess in the ear is often accompanied by a jump in temperature and a deterioration in overall health. Inflammation that has arisen in this area should not be touched at all! Unless, of course, you want to walk around with a drainage tube for a week or lose your hearing altogether.

Furuncle on the face

The most favorite place for boils is the face. And the most dangerous thing. One of the rules of purulent surgery says that touching any rashes on the face, and especially in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle, is strictly prohibited. Due to the structural features, the formation of thrombosis of blood and lymphatic vessels with subsequent sepsis or inflammation of the meninges is possible.

Boil in the nose

An extremely painful condition is caused by a boil that appears inside the nose. The prerequisite for this is most often plucking hairs in the nostrils or the habit of picking your nose. Bacterial rhinitis can also cause a boil. Inflammation that spreads as a result of an attempt to squeeze out a boil can cause blindness and paralysis of the facial vein.

Boil on the butt

The buttocks are also not immune to boils. In addition, unlike other parts of the body, a boil on a soft spot brings great discomfort. You can leave the inflamed area on your face untouched throughout the entire treatment period, but how can you avoid the need to sit? Boils on the butt usually reach quite impressive sizes, and therefore getting rid of them on your own can be problematic. The cause of inflammation of the follicles on the buttocks is most often insufficient hygiene and hypothermia.

Furuncle on the labia

It is strictly forbidden to treat any rash on the labia yourself. A boil in the intimate area can cause serious inflammatory processes, including bartholinitis. This is the name for inflammation of the gland responsible for the secretion of vaginal lubrication. In addition, making a diagnosis on your own is very reckless, since various inflammations and rashes on the genitals may indicate an STD.

Boil on penis

This phenomenon is not so common, but is the most susceptible to complications. And the problem is not that the penis reacts in any particular way to the appearance of a boil. It’s just that most men are embarrassed to go to the doctor with their problem and prescribe home treatment, which often begins with opening the abscess. The consequences are usually very sad - an abscess, extensive inflammation, lymphadenitis.

Furuncle under armpit

Like the inflammatory process on the penis, an abscess in the armpit very often leads to the development of lymphadenitis. This is due to the proximity of the lymph nodes. In addition, profuse sweating and inevitable friction when walking often provoke the formation of large boils in this area. Such inflammations must be opened in a hospital setting. A boil under the armpit is usually accompanied by severe pain and general malaise.

Abscess boil

Sometimes the boil does not open on its own, as a result of which the inflammation becomes increasingly widespread, involving nearby tissues. This condition is called an abscess boil, and it requires mandatory (!) surgical intervention. An abscess can be provoked by trying to squeeze out the boil yourself or by accelerating the process of its maturation with warm, wet compresses.

It may seem that the terrible consequences of furunculosis are far-fetched and as if they are specially promoted by harmful doctors in order to drive more patients into hospitals. Well, really, who goes to the doctor with an ordinary pimple? But a boil is not acne, and there are situations where it is impossible to manage without surgical intervention or drug therapy.

How to quickly treat a boil at home?

No matter how insignificant a problem a boil may seem at first glance, it is better to overcome the desire to solve it yourself.

Remember that you cannot treat the disease at home in the following cases:

  • the child has a problem;
  • several boils (furunculosis develops);
  • the inflammatory process is accompanied by fever;
  • you have been diagnosed with diabetes;
  • the boil caused an abscess;
  • the boil does not open on its own, several days after the onset of inflammation;
  • inflammation affected several hair follicles and a carbuncle appeared;
  • the affected area reaches more than 5 mm in diameter;
  • a boil appears on the face, ear, armpit or groin.

In other words, only a single boil on the back, shoulders, or limbs can be treated at home, which has not reached a large size and is not accompanied by fever. In other situations, consulting a doctor is strictly necessary.

When there are many boils, local therapy is not enough.

Treatment is expected to be comprehensive, including:

  • UV irradiation;
  • laser therapy;
  • strengthening the immune system, including with the help of immunomodulators.

If it was revealed that the disease appeared against the background of a hormonal imbalance, then treatment, naturally, involves, first of all, eliminating the cause of furunculosis.

Ointments and agents that accelerate the breakthrough of an abscess

Contrary to the widely advertised method of warming up the boil with hot, wet compresses, still do not do this if you do not want to develop an abscess. In this way, I really want to speed up the maturation of the rod, but at the same time the inflammation spreads to nearby tissues.

Instead, it's better to do this:

  • apply an antiseptic solution to the painful area (it is best to use regular medical alcohol for these purposes);
  • lubricate the inflamed area with Levomekol ointment;
  • you can cauterize the boil with iodine;
  • Warming up with infrared rays is allowed.

If the abscess is large, blockade with antibiotics can be performed in a hospital setting at the infiltration stage.

Removing a boil

The boil should open on its own! No pressing movements or surgical instruments should be used to speed up this process.

  1. To soften the top of the boil, it can be lubricated with salicylic acid.
  2. At the stage of infiltration formation in a hospital setting, the inflamed area can be injected with antibiotics and painkillers. Such a blockade is usually sufficient to relieve inflammation and repeating the procedure is not required.
  3. At home, the boil can be covered twice a day with ichthyol ointment. An ichthyol plug forms on the surface of the inflamed area, which is easily removed without damaging the skin.

At later stages, ointment for boils alone is not able to prevent inflammation. Therefore, we just have to wait for the boil to ripen. Then the purulent contents come out on their own. In this case, the wound is treated with clean hands with a solution of furatsilin, and then with hydrogen peroxide. The necrotic core may not come out immediately, but over time. This process cannot be accelerated; it will occur on its own after complete separation of necrotic tissue.

Rod removal surgery

In a hospital setting, the rod is removed with a special clamp. Surgical intervention is usually indicated when the purulent infiltrate spreads into the subcutaneous tissue with the formation of an abscess. The outbreak is opened in the hospital, after which the resulting cavity is cleaned. In some cases, a drainage tube may be placed to drain the exudate. When the wound heals, the drainage is removed, and its edges are treated with brilliant green.

Care of abscess lesions after opening

The cavities formed after the opening of the boil are treated daily with hydrogen peroxide. To cleanse necrotic masses, you can make bandages with a sodium chloride solution. When the wound is clean, once every couple of days you can treat its edges with Vishnevsky ointment.

When to start taking antibiotics?

The use of antibiotics is not necessary when treating a single boil.

But they can be prescribed if:

  • the patient's immunity is sharply reduced;
  • the patient suffers from diabetes;
  • the wound takes a very long time to heal.

You cannot prescribe antibiotics for boils on your own, since the doctor, when choosing a remedy, is guided by the type of bacteria that caused the inflammation. Only 10% of all staphylococcus strains are capable of causing boils, and not all of them are sensitive to classical antibacterial agents.

Antibiotics are also indicated in the treatment of multiple foci of inflammation or during surgery. But in this case, the doctor will definitely explain when, how much and what medications to take. The illiterate use of just any antibiotic can “harden” the bacteria, making it more resistant to other agents.

Traditional methods of treating boils

Before the risky procedure of destroying boils using traditional methods, it is better to consult a doctor. You cannot fight carbuncles, furunculosis, abscesses and inflammation on your face, ears, and genitals on your own.

  1. One of the oldest ways to combat all dermatological problems is aloe. And the boil is no exception. Apply the leaves of this plant, after cutting them lengthwise, with the pulp to the inflamed area. Secure the sheet with a gauze bandage or plaster so that the affected area “breathes.” The lotion should be changed when the leaf withers.
  2. Butter and propolis. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add propolis to it and heat it up too. Mix well, remove from heat and apply a warm dry compress to the boil.
  3. You can apply a mixture of crushed calendula leaves and the same butter to the boil at the ripening stage. Grind the leaves into powder in a mortar and melt the butter. Mix the ingredients and when the mass has cooled to a comfortable temperature, apply to the sore spot.

Chronic furunculosis: symptoms and treatment

Furunculosis, which appears regularly after a successfully completed course of treatment, is called chronic. Rashes are found on various parts of the body and can cause a general deterioration in health and fever. Common furunculosis usually becomes chronic, the true cause of which has not been clarified. Most often these are hormonal disorders or chronic diseases that reduce immunity.

To make a correct diagnosis, you should take blood and urine tests, check the condition of the ENT organs, digestive and endocrine systems.

Treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the provoking factor. Practice shows that even chronic furunculosis against the background of diabetes mellitus can be kept in check.

Why is a boil dangerous during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are susceptible to the appearance of boils almost more often than other people. This is facilitated by reduced immunity and hormonal fluctuations. It is strictly forbidden to treat yourself, since it is very important to identify the cause of the inflammatory processes. Self-medication can also lead to an abscess and blood poisoning, which already poses an immediate threat to the life of the mother and child.

Treatment in pregnant women is almost never carried out with antibiotics (including ointments). Therapy is mainly aimed at accelerating the ripening of boils and rapid healing.

Furunculosis in children

Treatment of furunculosis in children is no different from adult therapy. Inflamed areas should not be injured and wet hot compresses should not be applied to them. If even one boil appears in a child, do not engage in home therapy. And not because you can’t cope, but because of the need to find out the reasons for its appearance.

In general, a boil in a child develops according to the traditional pattern. It matures and opens, forming a wound that heals over time. The advisability of taking antibiotics in each case is determined only by a doctor.

What vitamins should I take for furunculosis?

There is no need to take additional multivitamins if you once have a single boil that opens and heals on its own. But in severe cases, when antibiotic therapy was carried out or the disease was accompanied by an abscess, an additional dose may be indicated:

  • ascorbic acid;
  • thiamine;
  • riboflavin;
  • nicotinamide.

The use of vitamins B and C helps strengthen the immune system and accelerate metabolic processes. Thus, relapse is prevented and wound healing is accelerated.

Nutrition for furunculosis

Special diets for furunculosis are usually not prescribed.

Nutrition should be rational and devoid of potential “harm”:

  • baked goods;
  • carbonated drinks;
  • sweet creams, pastries, cakes;
  • sauces;
  • fried and fatty foods.

This set of products affects the activity of the sebaceous glands.

The diet must contain vitamin-rich plant foods to strengthen the body's protective barrier. Adequate consumption of carbohydrates (pasta, porridge, potatoes) is important. After consulting with your doctor, you can additionally take brewer's yeast.

Boils are not just a cosmetic defect. This is a disease whose treatment often requires a systematic approach. To prevent illness, strengthen your immune system, eat right, and do not develop chronic diseases.

A furuncle (popular name “boil”) is a problem that people of any gender and age can unexpectedly encounter. A purulent-necrotic inflammatory process develops in the hair follicle, affecting a small area of ​​surrounding tissue. If a patient develops several boils, a diagnosis of furunculosis is made, and the boils can be in different stages of development and have different localizations. In most cases, the causative agent of the inflammatory process is, less often, streptococcus. In this article we will look at the causes and treatment of this phenomenon.

Main causes

The causative agent of the disease is most often staphylococcus.

The main cause of a boil is a bacterial infection that has entered the hair follicle, so furunculosis often accompanies skin diseases such as scabies or eczema (in this case, constant trauma to the skin occurs, and infection is possible). The process most often develops in people with reduced immunity; multiple furunculosis occurs in people with severe. Predisposing factors to the occurrence of boils are not only immunodeficiency states, but also vitamin deficiencies, stress, constant overwork, etc.

Since a boil is nothing more than an inflammation of the hair follicle, it can appear on any part of the skin where there is hair. Most often, such “ulcers” are localized on the face, scalp, neck, chest, and buttocks.

Signs of a boil

The boil has several successive stages of development, occurring over 8-10 days. First, a small nodule appears on the skin around the mouth of the hair follicle, with a hair in the center. Sometimes the inflammatory process begins deeper; in such cases, a pea-sized formation is detected in the thickness of the dermis, while the skin above it is visually unchanged.

1-2 days after the first signs of a boil appear, the nodule (infiltrate) in the thickness of the dermis begins to quickly increase in size and looks like a cone-shaped elevation above the level of healthy skin. The skin over it becomes purplish-purple, and soreness and swelling increase in the affected area.

On the 3-4th day, a white dot appears in the center of the elevation - an abscess, which soon opens. After opening the boil, pus separates from it within a few days, and the pain subsides. The amount of pus increases over time, after the necrotic core leaves, a deep wound forms at the site of the abscess, the pain goes away completely, and the swelling around the boil subsides.

Over the next 2-3 days, the wound fills with granulation tissue and heals, and a small scar forms in its place.

Patients with solitary boils usually have no general symptoms. In rare cases and with multiple furunculosis, during the opening of the abscess, symptoms of mild intoxication (malaise, weakness, slight increase in body temperature) may be observed.

Treatment of a boil


The most dangerous in terms of complications are boils that appear on the face.

Despite the fact that many do not consider a boil to be a serious problem, its treatment must be approached with all responsibility. This is a focus of purulent inflammation, from which the infection can spread through the bloodstream, so it is necessary to treat the boil, observing all the rules of antiseptics. The most dangerous are boils localized on the face (especially in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle), in the nose and ear, since the infection can enter the brain through the bloodstream and cause life-threatening development.

Typically, single boils are treated on an outpatient basis; with multiple boils, as well as if they are localized on the face, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, patients with boils are even hospitalized in the purulent surgery department of the hospital.

At home, in the initial stages of the inflammatory process, the affected area of ​​the skin is treated with 70% medical alcohol or, you should avoid contaminating the area of ​​the boil and apply a clean gauze bandage after treatment. After self-opening of the boil, bandages with ointments with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects (Levomekol, Protegentin, etc.) are applied to the area of ​​inflammation, which must be changed daily until the wound is completely cleansed of purulent-necrotic masses.

Under no circumstances should you squeeze out the boil, as this can lead to the spread of infection. If, after opening the abscess on your own, the swelling and redness of the skin around it does not decrease and the pain does not subside, then you should urgently consult a doctor. The doctor may perform surgical treatment of the wound, prescribe antibiotic therapy, or recommend inpatient treatment.

In addition to local treatment, it is necessary to pay attention to, since in most cases the appearance of boils is one of the signs of deterioration of the body's resistance to diseases. In order to avoid the appearance of boils, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, treat abrasions, scratches and other skin damage with antiseptic solutions.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the early stage of development of the boil, until a gnyo-necrotic core has formed, you can contact a dermatologist for treatment. He will prescribe local treatment to help the purulent lesion resolve. If such therapy is ineffective or purulent masses form, the surgeon removes the boil. In case of recurrent or multiple pustules, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist and rule out diabetes mellitus and pathology of the gonads. It is also worth consulting an immunologist. A nutritionist will help you choose the right diet for furunculosis.

Many of us are familiar with such an inflammatory disease on the skin as a boil. The disease is characterized by unpleasant sensations and the presence of a purulent core that must be removed. And if the boil is on the face, then this brings additional inconvenience and discomfort.

What is the reason for their appearance? Which skin is most susceptible to boils? Let's consider what factors contribute to the formation of purulent inflammations and how to deal with them. You will learn about what causes purulent formations to appear in this article.

Skin features that increase the risk of developing boils

Let's take a closer look at what causes them.

The following skin features contribute to the occurrence and development of suppuration on the body, including the chin:

  • excessive sweating(constant exposure to sweat weakens the protective functions of the skin);
  • oily skin(increased sebum production increases the likelihood of pore contamination and the proliferation of dangerous bacteria);
  • skin damage(scratches, abrasions, abrasions).

Note! Very often, boils occur on the back of the neck, since this is where a lot of sweat and dirt accumulate, as well as friction against the collar.

But where do suppurations come from? It should be noted that boils always occur in places where there are hairs, since a necessary condition is the presence of a hair follicle. Further in the article we will look at the main factors why chirias jump up.

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Factors contributing to the appearance of suppuration

Why do purulent formations appear on the body? First of all, the reasons for the appearance of boils include factors such as:

  1. Decreased immunity. Weakening immune forces increases the risk of pathogenic bacteria entering the skin. This occurs against the background or as a result of infectious and inflammatory diseases (pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, rhinitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis), as well as HIV.
  2. Frequent use of antibiotics and other aggressive drugs(potent pharmaceuticals negatively affect the body's defenses).
  3. Hormonal disorders. They occur as a result of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, dysfunction of the adrenal glands, as well as with increased production of the male hormone - testosterone.
  4. Squeezing a common pimple(at the moment of squeezing, an infection penetrates under the skin and as a result boils form).
  5. Avitaminosis(in particular, lack of vitamins A, C and group B).
  6. Stress(any negative emotions) and physical fatigue (especially with sleep disturbances and lack of proper rest).
  7. Severe hypothermia(for example, as a result of a cold) or overheating of the body (prolonged exposure to the sun on a hot summer day).
  8. Prolonged skin contact with ear and nose discharge(for otitis, rhinitis, etc.). The excretory fluid contains harmful microorganisms that cause purulent inflammation.
  9. Combing scratches and insect bites(bacteria can penetrate through microcracks and injuries in the skin).
  10. Frequent contact with dust, lubricating oils and harmful chemicals.
  11. Recently past or chronic illnesses(in the endocrine, digestive or urinary system).
  12. Violations of personal hygiene rules and skin contamination(if the work of the sweat and sebaceous glands is disrupted, there is a double risk of boils).
  13. Poor nutrition(the diet is dominated by fatty, salty, sweet and spicy foods with a high content of chemical additives, including fast food, crackers, chips, cakes). Such products in the body turn into toxins, which provoke the formation of an abscess.

Attention! The main causative agent of this disease is Staphylococcus aureus, which multiplies on the surface of the skin.

Thus, we have answered the question of what causes suppuration.

Causes of furunculosis:

Treatment methods

Experts do not recommend squeezing out the boil yourself, as this can lead to serious complications (spread of infection to nearby tissues, sepsis). Of particular danger is the occurrence of purulent inflammation on the face and head.

There are various methods of treating the disease. Let's look at some of them:


Pay attention! Large purulent inflammations (more than 7-10 cm in diameter) and located on the face (or buttocks) require contact with a specialist. Self-medication is unacceptable.

We examined in detail the question of why chirias pop up. Many factors can cause the sudden appearance of a boil, ranging from simple hypothermia to hormonal disorders in the body. Whatever the reason, it is important to start proper treatment in time, eliminating possible pre-existing disease and strengthening the immune system.

If a purulent formation causes unbearable pain and the abscess does not open, you should urgently consult a dermatologist to avoid dangerous consequences in the future.

A furuncle is an inflammatory disease of the hair bulb (follicle), accompanied by the formation of a large amount of pus and necrosis (death) of the tissue of the bulb itself, the adjacent sebaceous gland and the surrounding connective tissue base of the skin. The popular name for this disease is boil or abscess. It is caused by pyogenic microorganisms, most often bacteria of the St. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus).

The disease can also be caused by other common microorganisms, for example, epidermal and saprophytic staphylococci, as well as group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Causes

Staphylococcus aureus is part of the normal microflora in many people, without causing disease. However, under certain conditions, it penetrates the skin and begins to multiply in it, causing inflammation.

Causes of boils:

  • skin contamination, especially with petroleum products, machine oil;
  • scratches, abrasions, scratches, other damage, including microscopic (for example, from metal shavings or shaving);
  • increased sweating associated with illness or caused by exposure to a warm, humid environment;
  • presence of suspended cement, coal, mineral dust in the air;
  • excessive secretion of sebum, which is also observed in adolescents during puberty;
  • diabetes mellitus, which inhibits the activity of skin immune cells;
  • lack of vitamins or protein;
  • immunodeficiency of various origins - both congenital and acquired under the influence of drugs (immunosuppressants, cytostatics) or viral infection (human immunodeficiency virus).

Hypothermia, stress, lack of sleep and other nonspecific factors that deplete the body's defenses contribute to the occurrence of a boil.

External manifestations of a boil

It can be located on any area of ​​the skin where there is hair or hair follicles. However, its most common location is on the face, neck, occipital region, back, lower back, buttocks and thighs, as well as on the back of the hand.

What does a boil look like: in its course it goes through certain stages associated with the development of the process of purulent inflammation.

Stages of the disease:

  • infiltration;
  • formation of a purulent-necrotic core;
  • opening;
  • cleansing, healing.

At the very beginning, a pustule - a small bubble - appears at the mouth of the hair follicle. Then a vaguely limited swelling and thickening of the skin (infiltrate) appears, having a bright red color and raised above the surface of the skin in the form of a small cone. A painful nodule forms in the thickness of the infiltrate. Over the course of several days, the compaction grows, the redness spreads to the surrounding tissues, and in the outbreak itself the skin becomes purple in color.

For a single process, the symptoms of intoxication are uncharacteristic, the patient’s well-being does not suffer, and the body temperature does not rise.

After 3-4 days, the tissues in the center of the cone die off, that is, necrosis occurs. Dead tissues, immune cells, and bacteria form pus, which forms a rod that has a greenish color. At the same time, a softening (fluctuation) forms at the top of the boil, and then it opens. This is how the formed necrotic core becomes visible.

The opened boil releases a large amount of pus, often mixed with blood. Within 2-3 days of this process, the necrotic rod comes out of the wound (rejected). At the same time, the swelling and pain of the surrounding tissues decreases quite quickly. In its place, a deep wound or ulcer remains, bleeding moderately for some time. It quickly fills with granulation tissue and heals with the formation of a scar within 2-3 days.

How long does it take for a boil to mature?

The entire described cycle takes 8-10 days, half of which is occupied by the process of infiltration and formation of a purulent-necrotic core, and the second half by the opening, cleansing and healing of the abscess.

Special forms of boils and their consequences

There are some types of boils that require special attention from doctors. These include ulcers located on the nose, under the eyes on the cheeks, in the area of ​​the nasolabial folds and upper lip. This localization is characterized by severe pain when talking, chewing, and facial movements. Often patients are bothered by headaches, a feeling of weakness, and fever. Only after opening the boil does the patient’s well-being improve.

Furuncle on the face

Dangerous of developing severe complications. In this anatomical area, a network of lymphatic and venous vessels is developed, into which pathogenic microorganisms enter from the source of inflammation. The inflammatory process also begins there - thrombophlebitis. With the flow of venous blood, the infection enters the venous sinuses (extensions) of the dura mater. Thrombosis of the sinuses occurs, and purulent meningitis occurs - inflammation of the meninges.

This complication is accompanied by rapidly increasing swelling of the face, where hard, painful veins can be felt, fever, and deterioration of the general condition. Subsequently, vision and consciousness are impaired, and stiffness of the neck muscles appears. If medical assistance is not provided at this time, the patient may die.

Abscess boil

A condition in which purulent inflammation spreads to the surrounding skin with its necrosis and the formation of extensive ulcers - abscesses. The process is accompanied by a deterioration in general condition, fever, thinning of the skin, and the appearance of foci of fluctuation under the skin. Such inflammation is also fraught with the development of complications.

Why is a boil dangerous? In severe cases of the process, usually found in patients with diabetes, the following complications may develop:

  • (multiple ulcers);
  • lymphangitis and lymphadenitis (inflammation of lymphatic vessels and nodes);
  • thrombophlebitis (blockage and inflammation of the veins);
  • phlegmon and soft tissue abscess (extensive purulent melting);
  • sepsis and metastatic abscesses (microbes enter the blood and form purulent foci in other organs).

Without medical intervention, such diseases can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning) and an unfavorable outcome.

Diagnostics

Recognizing a boil is usually easy. The doctor must distinguish it from hidradenitis (inflammation of the sweat glands), folliculitis (superficial pustules on the skin), erythema nodosum (painful nodes under the skin), lesions due to tuberculosis, actinomycosis, deep trichophytosis, anthrax.

For recurring boils, it is necessary to inoculate the contents on a nutrient medium and find out which microbe causes the disease and which antibiotic it is sensitive to. They try to identify the source of chronic infection in the patient - the source of bacteria. This could be chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, dental caries. Be sure to check your blood sugar levels.

If complications develop, additional diagnostics are carried out - blood and urine culture for sterility, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging of the liver, kidneys, brain and other organs to determine the location of metastatic purulent foci.

How to get rid of a boil

Which doctor should I contact? If the boil is at the stage of infiltration, that is, the abscess has not yet opened, you can contact a dermatologist who will prescribe local and systemic treatment. If the boil is already mature, its stem is visible, or it has already come out with pus, you need to contact a surgeon to treat the wound. If you are not sure about choosing a doctor, the right thing to do would be to contact a surgeon at the clinic at your place of residence. He will advise how to treat a boil at any stage.

If the abscess is on a limb, it should be kept at rest. For this purpose, a plaster cast or plastic splint is sometimes applied.

Local therapy

Local treatment of a boil involves, first of all, thorough antimicrobial treatment of the surrounding skin. It is wiped with 70% ethyl alcohol or 2% salicylic alcohol. If the process has just begun, you can try to stop it by lubricating the site of infiltration with tincture of iodine or an alcohol solution of brilliant green. Dry heat can still be used at this stage. Rubbing the surface of the skin with Dimexide solution gives a good effect. There is no need to use compresses with it, like any other wet dressings, which only impair blood supply and cause additional damage (maceration) to the skin.

At the same time, physiotherapeutic procedures can be prescribed to cause regression of the boil. It must be remembered that the time during which the developing infiltrate can be warmed up is very short (2-3 days), so such procedures should be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor and under his daily supervision. If this is not possible, it is better to refrain from thermal procedures until the wound is cleansed of pus.

Pure ichthyol or Ichthyol ointment is applied directly to the infiltrated area. This medicine has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain, and has a local irritant effect. Ichthyol drawing ointment is a popular remedy for boils, in some cases helping to get rid of them before an abscess forms. Pure ichthyol can also be used, but it is almost impossible to find on sale. However, many medical institutions have this remedy, and surgeons perform dressings with it.

There are methods according to which the developing boil is injected with a solution of novocaine mixed with antibiotics or electrophoresis of antibacterial drugs is performed. These medications are prescribed by your doctor. Below we will mention which antibiotics to take for boils.

If a purulent-necrotic core has already begun to form, but the boil does not mature, to accelerate its formation, salicylic sodium or salicylic acid was applied to the center of the infiltrate in the past and fixed with a dry sterile bandage. Nowadays these means are practically not used. Instead, ointment with ichthyol is used. Dressings with ichthyol or Ichthyol ointment should be carried out 2 times a day until the abscess opens.

Opening a boil

The opening of the abscess occurs independently. After the formed purulent core has separated from the surrounding inflammatory infiltrate, it can be carefully removed with tweezers. It is better to entrust this manipulation to a surgeon who will perform it under sterile conditions and show how to apply a bandage.

After removing the rod, the wound is washed with solutions of disinfectants, for example, hydrogen peroxide or Furacilin. In order to prepare a solution of Furacilin, you need to dissolve two tablets of the drug in a glass of water. For quick and complete dissolution, water with added tablets can be boiled and then cooled.

A bandage moistened with hypertonic sodium chloride solution is applied to the wound. To prepare such a solution at home, you need to dissolve a tablespoon of salt in 100 ml of water, boil, and cool. You need to moisten gauze pads in this solution and apply them to the wound 3-4 times a day for 30-40 minutes, and then cover the damage with a dry bandage, securing it with an adhesive plaster if necessary.

When the wound is completely cleared of pus, there is no white or gray coating, blood or other discharge in it, you can apply ointment dressings, changing them daily or every other day. Most often, Levomekol is used for this purpose. This is an ointment produced in tubes of 40 grams and jars of 100 grams. It contains the antibiotic chloramphenicol (chloramphenicol) and an agent that improves wound healing - methyluracil. Levomekol is used to soak gauze napkins and cover the healing boil with them, covering the top with a dry bandage and fixing it with an adhesive plaster if necessary. You can also use other products containing antibiotics: Baneocin, Bactroban. To prevent a scar from forming, a healing wound can be treated with Panthenol.

Healing

During healing, physiotherapy is prescribed: Sollux, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF therapy. Is it possible to heat a boil when treating it at home? Yes, it is possible if the cavity is cleared of pus, the wound is healing, the redness is decreasing, and there is no pain around the injury. Use dry heat, for example, heating with bags of salt. Thermal procedures, their type and duration must be agreed upon with the attending physician in order to prevent an exacerbation of the infection.

If a lump remains after the boil, you need to consult a doctor - perhaps an encapsulated source of infection remains under the skin - the so-called internal boil. From a medical point of view, this term itself is not entirely correct, since sooner or later any abscess must burst, and the abscess has no other way out than on the surface of the skin. However, if this does not happen for a long time, the boil is removed using a small skin incision with a scalpel.

Is it possible to squeeze out a boil? No, you can't do this. If the smallest blood vessels are damaged, which is inevitable with mechanical impact on the abscess, dangerous microbes will certainly enter the blood. This can lead to serious complications: blood poisoning, the formation of ulcers in the kidneys, brain, other organs, and even death.

Home treatment and antibiotic therapy

Home therapy is carried out in most uncomplicated cases. Usually the patient goes to the clinic to see the surgeon only for dressings and for a follow-up examination after recovery. Only patients with facial boils are hospitalized. They are prescribed bed rest and are prohibited from talking or chewing solid food.

For facial boils, systemic antibacterial therapy is prescribed. The most commonly prescribed are protected aminopenicillins (Amoxiclav) or cephalosporins (Cefalexin and others). If they are intolerant, macrolides (Clarithromycin, Azithromycin), tetracyclines (Doxycycline), fluoroquinolones (Ofloxacin) and other stronger antibiotics can be used.

However, the higher the activity of the antibiotic, the more likely its undesirable effects, and also the higher the likelihood that the patient will develop drug resistance of microorganisms in the future. Therefore, the choice of antibacterial drug should be made by a doctor. You can use both tablets and preparations in the form of an injection solution. This depends on the pharmaceutical characteristics of each antibiotic - some act faster and more effectively after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

At the same time, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect. They can also be taken when treating a boil at home to relieve pain (Nurofen, Paracetamol).

Vaccination, vitamins and immunostimulants

To treat staphylococcal infections in children from 6 months of age and in adults, a therapeutic staphylococcal vaccine (staphylococcal antiphagin) is prescribed. In addition to curing boils, this medicine causes the formation of immunity against infection caused by staphylococcus. It is especially indicated for recurrent boils and widespread furunculosis. The staphylococcal vaccine has quite a few contraindications, mainly diseases of the liver, kidneys, endocrine glands and allergic diseases, as well as pregnancy and lactation.

Multivitamins are prescribed, especially C, E, A, which have a beneficial effect on the immune system and the protective properties of the skin. Immunostimulants are used, in particular Lykopid. It can be prescribed to children over 1 year of age. Lykopid is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, severe autoimmune thyroiditis and other allergic diseases.

Complex liquid pyobacteriophage is applied topically, a drug that destroys bacteria. It is used in the form of lotions and irrigations after opening the boil. This medicine not only speeds up healing and fights infection, but also prevents the development of complications.

Surgical removal of a boil

It is carried out when there is a threat of infection spreading and the formation of purulent complications - an abscess or phlegmon of the skin. Under local anesthesia, the skin over the lesion is incised, the affected tissue is removed, and the cavity is thoroughly cleaned. If the wound is small, it can heal on its own; for more extensive damage, stitches are applied. In the postoperative period, antibiotics, pyobacteriophage, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, and immunostimulants are prescribed.

Prevention

Preventive measures for boils can be divided into two groups: primary (prevention of the appearance of ulcers) and secondary (prevention of complications).

To prevent a person from developing boils, he must follow simple rules:

  • observe the rules of personal hygiene - wash your hands, body, hair on time;
  • do not use soap with antibacterial components (triclosan), which kill beneficial microflora that inhibits the development of pathogenic bacteria;
  • when working in dusty rooms, use personal protective equipment, avoid rubbing the skin with a collar, belt and other parts of clothing;
  • limit skin contact with petroleum products and machine oils;
  • use antiperspirants and wash more often if you sweat excessively;
  • for patients with diabetes, keep blood sugar levels under control;
  • avoid fasting, hypovitaminosis, constant stress and overwork, normalize sleep;
  • eliminate foci of chronic infection in the body, get rid of the carriage of bacteria in the nasopharynx;
  • In case of wounds or damage to the skin, treat them with antiseptic agents as quickly as possible, wipe the skin around the wound with tincture of iodine or brilliant green, apply Baneocin ointment and a dry bandage.

If a boil has already appeared, you must:

  • touch it with your hands as little as possible;
  • keep surrounding skin clean;
  • ensure limb rest;
  • consult a doctor.