Furunculosis is an acute purulent—necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle and nearby connective tissues caused by staphylococcal bacteria. The characteristic primary inflammatory characteristic of furunculosis is the inflammatory node forming around the follicle. Furunculosis is one of the most common skin diseases of a purulent nature. To diagnose furunculosis, it is enough for a specialist to examine the patient, identify inflammatory signs in a detailed blood test and the results of back-seeding of secretions of skin elements. Patients with furunculosis are examined and treated by a dermatologist.
The content of the article:
Causes of furunculosis
Clinical manifestations of furunculosis
When the furunculosis is opened
Diagnosis of furunculosis
Treatment of furunculosis
Prevention of furunculosis
Furunculosis
Causes of furunculosis
The cause of the appearance of furunculosis is staphylococcal bacteria, which are activated and provoke acute purulent and inflammatory processes under the influence of various conditions. If a person has a weak immune system, then only external factors are enough for bacteria to cause inflammation, and then furunculosis. The disease can also be triggered by long-term infectious processes: diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, malnutrition and chronic intoxication. Injured skin, their contamination and hypothermia can become the “entrance gate” for infection of follicles with staphylococcal bacteria, which can subsequently cause localized furunculosis.
Clinical manifestations of furunculosis
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by the formation of a small inflammatory infiltrate with a purulent substance resembling folliculitis. The whole hair follicle participates in the inflammatory process a few days later. A distinctive feature of furunculosis from folliculitis is the defeat of not only the follicles, but also the nearby sebaceous glands and connective tissues. Externally, rashes with this disease resemble a reddened nodule in the form of a cone, overflowing with infiltrate, towering above the general level of the skin. With the formation and formation of skin inflammation, the painful sensation, swelling increases and pulsating or twitching pain appears. Extensive swelling around the formation is characteristic of furunculosis affecting the neck and face area. After 3-4 days, a rod is formed in the center of the infiltrate, when pressed, the movement of purulent substance is felt in the follicle, and an inflammatory process is noted around the hair.
When the furunculosis is opened
After opening the elements of furunculosis, a small amount of accumulated purulent fluid is released outwards, forming a small ulcer. At its bottom, a greenish necrotic rod is visible, the presence of which is a characteristic symptom of furunculosis. The core of the formation breaks out after a few days along with a small amount of blood mass and pus. After the process of rejection of the rod, the inflammatory signs of furunculosis begin to decrease. The skin element becomes less painful when touched and the swelling of the tissues subsides.
After the breakthrough of the elements of furunculosis, an ulcer is formed with a depression in the center, outwardly resembling a crater, where the remains of necrotic and purulent masses are either rejected over time, or develop chronic furunculosis. The ulcer is filled with new connective tissue, forming a retracted scar, the depth and size of which depend on the size of the lesion by necrotic processes in the center of the boil.
Furunculosis does not have any favorite localization, but inflammatory elements often occur in problem areas of the skin, prone to greasiness and the appearance of flaws: the face, back of the neck, forearms, thighs and buttocks. If the furuncular manifestations have a single character, then the general well-being of the patient remains normal, the body temperature does not rise, patients lead the same normal lifestyle.
Symptoms of intoxication and headaches can occur with furunculosis affecting the tissues of the nasolabial triangle and auricle, even with a single lesion. The skin of the face turns purple, swells sharply, becomes tense and painful.
Injury of furuncular elements during washing, shaving, facial muscles, when trying to squeeze out the rod independently favor the development of thrombophlebitis of facial veins and the penetration of staphylococcal bacteria into connective tissues and internal organs.
Due to the peculiarities of blood flow in the veins of the face, furuncular elements can cause meningoencephalitis or meningitis. One of the most severe complications of the disease is blood infection and the formation of purulent inflammation of tissues in internal organs. In the acute form of the course of the disease, many furuncular elements are formed on the skin, having the same resolution in terms of stage. If the acute form of furunculosis is not treated properly, the immune system is not strengthened and, moreover, the rules of personal hygiene are neglected, then the process becomes chronic. Chronic furunculosis is marked by the characteristic presence of inflammatory elements of varying degrees of resolution, some manifestations may scar on the skin, and some may recur, such a process may occur several times a year.
Localized furunculosis affects certain areas of the skin, and with extensive furunculosis, the process spreads. Limb furunculosis is complicated by regional lymphadenitis, especially if inflammatory processes occur near the joints. Sometimes, during the disease of furunculosis, kidney diseases may worsen.
Diagnosis of furunculosis
In order to make a diagnosis, there are enough clinical manifestations, the presence of a fluctuation zone and signs of an inflammatory and infectious process. In a detailed blood test, there is an increased rate of erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), a shift of the leukogram to the left and pronounced changes in cellular blood composition. A cultural study confirms the staphylococcal nature of the disease.
Treatment of furunculosis
In order to identify furunculosis in time, the causes of its appearance and undergo proper treatment, you should consult a dermatologist. Independent treatment with Vishnevsky ointment can cause the spread of infection, acute purulent inflammation, since the drug is used only after the breakthrough of the purulent substance at the scarring stage. Self-extrusion of furuncular rods causes premature autopsy, infecting healthy tissues nearby with pathogenic microflora, and the rod remaining inside can lead to chronic furunculosis.
Restrictions in the treatment of furunculosis
during the treatment of the disease, if possible, it is necessary to limit or completely exclude taking a bath, however, with an extensive form of furunculosis, taking a bath with the use of potassium permanganate disinfects the skin;
hygiene must be strictly observed, healthy parts of the skin are treated with gentle antiseptics, and minor skin lesions are treated with a solution of green;
underwear and bed linen should be changed regularly;
limiting fatty and spicy foods and eating foods consisting of proteins and vitamins help regenerate damaged tissues.
Treatment of furunculosis during the stage of maturation of the inflammatory element of the skin occurs by treatment with antiseptic drugs, pricking with antibiotics that relieve pain and prevent the spread of pus. Electrophoresis with antimicrobial agents prevents furuncular complications: phlegmons and abscesses.
Bandages with salicylic acid are applied to the center of the furuncular elements, providing accelerated rejection of the rod.
Opening and removal of purulent formations under local anesthesia are indicated for acute purulent form of furunculosis. After opening and removal, the wound is thoroughly washed with hydrogen peroxide and bandages are prescribed using such means:
Erythromycin;
Syntomycin ointment;
Levomekol;
during wound healing, Vishnevsky ointment is used.
UHF therapy and ultraviolet irradiation are used at all stages of the course of the disease. Oral antibiotics are prescribed if the patient has a chronic or abscessing furunculosis. If the patient’s body is exhausted and his immunity is weakened, then taking antibiotics intramuscularly is necessary.
To increase the body’s resistance to the disease, vitamin and immunotherapy, autohemotransfusion, restorative drugs and ultraviolet irradiation of blood are prescribed.
Prevention of furunculosis
Preventive measures of furunculosis consist in observing the purity of the skin. Clean underwear, clothes and daily showering allow the skin to breathe more and better, which undoubtedly increases its barrier function. A healthy lifestyle is of great importance. Therefore, daily wiping with cold water, morning exercises, walking in the fresh air and dosed sunbathing will prevent from furuncular disease.
Prevention of the disease also depends on the nature of the work. For example, the causes of furunculosis in metallurgists and workers associated with mechanical engineering have their own treatment feature. The disease appears as a result of infection of microtraumas and the ingress of oils there. In order to avoid various diseases, enterprises pay great attention to sanitary conditions: the workplace and tools are kept in order, the oils are periodically cleaned of metal impurities that often get into them.
In the oil industry, the appearance of purulent diseases of the skin is facilitated by the ingress of oil into microtrauma. Preventive measures at such enterprises are the use of special masks and clothing by workers.
Prevention is mainly aimed at preventing injury to the skin. And in case of its occurrence, you must immediately use an antiseptic.
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