Contents
What is a furuncle
– A furuncle is a type of pustular inflammatory skin disease, – explains dermatologist, telemedicine service consultant Dr. Viktorija Baltzache is nearby. – Furuncle is an inflammation of the hair follicle, which is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Most often, one boil appears on the skin, but it happens that they occur constantly and in large numbers. In such cases, we are talking about a disease called furunculosis. It usually indicates a weakening of a person’s immunity and requires serious treatment.
Causes of a boil in adults
Boils occur in both women and men, and equally often. There are quite a few reasons for the appearance of a boil in adults. Dermatologist Victoria Baltzake explains that they can be both external and internal. Among the external causes that can provoke an inflammatory process:
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- improper cleansing of the skin;
- the presence of scratches, abrasions and other damage to the skin.
– Endogenous, or internal causes of a boil, are mainly associated with a decrease in immunity, concomitant diseases such as diabetes, oncology, HIV. Long-term use of glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs can also provoke the appearance of boils, the specialist explains.
Symptoms of a boil in adults
Boils are usually difficult to miss, as they cause a person noticeable discomfort. Dermatologist Victoria Baltzake notes the following symptoms of a boil in adults:
- the furuncle is always painful, already from the first day, when the skin thickens;
- it is distinguished by a bluish-red color;
- it can cause intoxication of the body, characterized by fever and a number of complications.
Within a few days, a purulent-necrotic core appears at the boil and the center of the seal becomes soft. After some time, the boil can open on its own, the pus will flow out to the surface of the skin, and the damaged area will soon heal.
Treatment of a boil in adults
Treatment of a boil in adults depends on the stage of the inflammation process.
– At the first stage, infiltrative, you can use Vishnevsky’s ointment or Inol. The use of dry heat (sollux, UHF, blue lamp) is also shown – this gives an analgesic and bactericidal effect, explains dermatologist Victoria Baltzacke. – At the second stage, when a purulent core forms, you can use ichthyol ointment under the patch. The ointment has an anti-inflammatory effect and draws the contents out.
But what you should not do in any case is to open the boil yourself. If the purulent contents of the boil do not come out on their own, you should contact a dermatologist or surgeon.
Diagnostics
According to the specialist, the boil is diagnosed visually, and even a person without a medical education can do this. The furuncle is always located on the area of the skin where there is hair. At first it looks like a painful, reddish bump, in which purulent contents later appear. The furuncle is limited – does not spread through the subcutaneous fat.
If there are a lot of boils, then a blood test will show this. It will increase the level of leukocytes and ESR.
Modern treatments
If Vishnevsky’s ointment, Inol, ichthyol ointment and other remedies did not help and the boil did not open on its own, you need to contact a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of complications. The operation to remove the boil is quick and takes about 20 minutes. The patient is given local anesthesia, then the boil is incised and the pus is removed.
If the disease has passed into the chronic stage, then additional methods of treatment will be recommended.
Prevention of boils in adults at home
A few basic principles of prevention will minimize the risk of developing boils. Especially important:
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- balanced nutrition and nutraceutical support;
- normalization of the regime of work and rest;
- no hypothermia.