One of the most common skin diseases is furunculosis. This pathology can bring multiple inconvenience and pain. In addition, a complicated disease can significantly worsen the condition of the patient. What is the peculiarity of furunculosis, how to treat it, and are there any measures to prevent it?
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Causes of furunculosis
The root cause of furunculosis is the introduction of Staphylococcus aureus into the skin. Often, getting on the skin, these microorganisms do not provoke any disease. However, if there are microcracks or wounds on the surface of the integument, the protective functions of the skin are reduced. This is what is considered a favorable factor for the introduction of staphylococcus.
It should be noted that a single boil can indicate a reduced immunity, while multiple boils most often occur against a background of global immune failure.
There may be several reasons for such violations:
- stress tolerance;
- common human diseases;
- violation of the circulatory system;
- malfunctions of the endocrine system;
- emotional or physical strain.
In other words, furunculosis is caused by a combination of two factors. In this case, the introduction of staphylococcus into the skin through microtraumas is considered a local cause. Common causes of furunculosis include malfunctions of the immune system.
Furunculosis infectious or not
Along with golden, epidermal staphylococcus can also contribute to the occurrence of pathology.These two types of bacteria are widespread in the environment (street dust, rooms with insufficient ventilation, in clothing and in people's homes).
Often staphylococci exist on the skin of people and their mucous membranes, while not contributing to the development of diseases. Statistics say that 70% of people are carriers of these types of microorganisms.
Furunculosis is able to be transmitted from person to person. However, this microorganism cannot develop independently - for this, positive factors are necessary.
The main ways of transmitting the disease are as follows:
- From mother to baby. The disease can affect babies who have weak immunity. Newborns who feed on mother's milk, as a rule, this disease bypasses.
- With sexual intimacy. Favorite places for the development of staphylococcus are precisely the inguinal zone and genitals. However, even in this case, it is impossible to become infected with furunculosis after intimacy without the presence of certain concomitant factors.
- When visiting medical facilities. Paradoxically, a greater number of infections with staphylococcus occurs in the walls of clinics and hospitals. And although the room is usually disinfected, staphylococcus, however, is cunning and tenacious. You can also get infected through patient care items (dressings, medical instruments).
Symptoms and signs of the disease
The main symptoms of furunculosis are, of course, boils.
The cycle of their formation has a certain sequence:
- The appearance of a pimple.
- Compaction of acne and surrounding tissues.
- Purulent inflammation of the hair follicle.
- Necrotic tissue rejection, wound cleansing, regeneration process.
Small boils usually pass without a trace, scars often remain in place of extensive papules.
Papules, depending on the location, are able to complicate the usual actions - sitting, arm movements, turning the head.
Additionally, symptoms of intoxication may occur:
- temperature rise
- worsening of well-being;
- headache.
By the way. Children's furunculosis often proceeds more rapidly: the temperature rises to significant levels, the general condition worsens. However, at an early age, furunculosis passes more quickly, has a not so protracted character.
Localization Classifications
The following subspecies of furunculosis are distinguished:
- Single boil. It is able to form on any part of the body.
- Localized furunculosis. Elements of this disease consistently appear in the same area (lower back, neck, etc.). Often, the cause of such a spread is considered incorrect methods of treatment of pathology or untreated primary compaction.
- General furunculosis. It also has the name scattered, characterized by the chronic appearance of new papules.
Diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of furunculosis does not cause much difficulty, since the foci of inflammation are superficial. But with a protracted disease, there may be a need for a detailed diagnosis to determine the cause of the pathology.
In this case, the following diagnostic measures are performed:
- detailed blood test;
- bacterial culture of the contents of the papule;
- immunodiagnosis.
If the above measures have not clarified the picture, the patient will have a full examination of the body, because in some cases furunculosis is provoked by a general disease (diabetes, blood pathology, etc.).
Treatment of furunculosis
The basic method of treatment for furunculosis is medication. In some cases, an operation is needed. As an additional therapy, it is permissible to use traditional medicine recipes.
Drugs and antibiotics for furunculosis
Treatment of furunculosis involves the use of general and local therapy. Local methods include antibacterial measures, anesthesia and the use of an antiseptic that prevents the spread of infection.
For such purposes rubbing with alcohol is suitable:
- salicylic (2%);
- medical (97%);
- boric (3%).
It is acceptable to use a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide or 5% iodine tincture. Wipeings are carried out within 4-6 days.
Attention! Each boil should be processed from the periphery to the center.
During therapy, blockade of affected areas with antibiotics is allowed. Problem spots are cleaved with a solution of anesthetic and antibiotic.
For proper treatment, the following antibiotic drugs for furunculosis are applicable:
- Levomekol;
- "Mupirocin";
- "Linkomycin."
Important. Regardless of the stage of development of the disease, squeezing a boil is strictly prohibited!
In the case when the necrotic masses have completely receded and the stem of the boil has come out, the place must be treated with solutions without alcohol.
After cleansing, wound healing products must be used. For this purpose, Vishnevsky ointment, rosehip oil and sea buckthorn are suitable. At this stage of treatment, it is effective to use physiotherapeutic methods: heating, magnetotherapy, UV irradiation.
When surgery is needed
In the initial stages of the disease, the boil is not much different from a normal acne, although it is somewhat harder to the touch than a typical abscess. The main difference is painful sensations, incomparable with an ordinary acne.
A neglected disease provokes an increase in the boil and the formation of a solid and noticeable purulent cone inside it. The pain from the boil gradually becomes more noticeable.
Boils in the last final stage of the development of the disease are subject to surgical removal. The diameter of tumors in some cases can reach 3 cm. A noticeable core is observed inside them. At the same time, the boil hurts not only with physical contact, but also by itself.
Surgical intervention involves opening the tumor, after which pus completely leaves it. The final stage of the operation is the removal of a purulent rod.
After the intervention, a small fossa remains on the skin. Painful sensations disappear almost immediately.
Important. The doctor will certainly inform the patient about the features of wound care.
Folk remedies for the disease
It is permissible to treat furunculosis with folk recipes.
The most popular of them are recognized:
- Processing papules with a decoction of herbs at home: celandine, chamomile, eucalyptus and so on.
- At the healing stage, it is important to use extracts of sea buckthorn, sage, and rosehip oils.
- For the general strengthening of the body and maintaining immunity, it is recommended to use honey-based products.
Complications and prognosis
A severe clinical picture of the pathology is often observed in the presence of furunculosis of the lips, nose, maxillary sinuses. The vascular network on the face can contribute to the rapid spread of microorganisms.
Danger to the patient is thrombophlebitis or sepsis that occurs against the background of boils.
- Thrombophlebitis can form as a result of furunculosis near large subcutaneous vessels.
- Sepsis often occurs with facial furunculosis. This condition usually manifests itself when men shave, when boils on the face are injured or cut off.
With such complications, the prognosis of the disease is dangerous and serious. Such boils always heal with the formation of a scar.
Complications after boils are often lymphadenitis and lymphangitis.
Prevention
For the prevention of furunculosis, a number of recommendations should be followed:
- personal hygiene;
- thorough skin care with increased sweating;
- treatment of wounds and microcracks with antiseptics;
- modern and proper treatment of pyoderma;
- therapy of chronic diseases;
- compliance with the principles of a healthy lifestyle, the absence of bad habits.
It is quite possible to cure furunculosis at an early stage of the disease. In order to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, you must carefully monitor changes in your skin and monitor various rashes.Preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle will help minimize the risk of infection.
