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How many times has a purulent pimple, especially on the face, spoiled our good mood just before an important event or public appearance? Purulent lesions are one of the most common skin diseases and it is safe to say that there is no person who has had no problem with purulent lesions on the skin.
Fortunately, most purulent skin infections are light and heal without specific treatment. However, it should be remembered that repeated purulent lesions on the skin may be a signal of a serious systemic disease or lead to serious consequences or even death. Under physiological conditions, our skin is richly colonized by non-pathogenic bacteria that form the so-called physiological flora. In certain situations, potentially pathogenic or pathogenic bacteria appear on the skin (e.g. golden staphylococcus, pyogenic streptococcus, blue oil rod and others), which form the so-called transitional flora. However, when the condition of our skin is correct – no damage, no other skin diseases – bacteria from the transitional flora are not a threat and with proper hygiene rules, these bacteria are systematically removed from the skin.
Most often, infection occurs after the skin is broken and each, even the apparent scratch or abrasion of the epidermis, is a gateway for bacteria. Of course, not all people will develop the disease process or it will be minimal.
Purulent skin infections are favored by risk factors such as:
– diabetes, uremia, immunity disorders, general exhaustion, excessive sweating, a tendency to seborrhea or poor hygiene. Professionally purulent skin diseases are called piodermiami and are the result of bacterial infections. Most often, these infections are the result of infections with staphylococci, streptococci, or they are of a mixed nature.
The main purulent skin diseases:
boil – a painful inflammatory lump with a necrotic plug that forms around the hair follicle as a result of an infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the nodule is blue-red and very painful, and after about 4 days a purulent lesion appears at its apex, necrosis occurs and after a few days the lesion ruptures with the separation of the purulent content, and consequently the lesion heals, leaving a small scar. The location of the boil on the face or neck is very dangerous, because there is a risk of the infection spreading to the meninges of the brain or cavernous sinus.
In most cases, the treatment is reduced to a surgical incision of the lesion and the use of antibiotic ointments or ichthyol ointment compresses.
Two specific forms can be distinguished in this type of infection:
– furunculosis – occurrence of several boils at the same time in different places
– cluster boils – merging of several boils in one place with the formation of an extensive necrotic inflammatory infiltrate
These changes are more often observed in people with decreased immunity, diabetics or generally debilitated, and can lead to systemic infections, including sepsis. In most cases, they require hospital treatment and the administration of an antibiotic by mouth or by injection.
As a warning and to remember:
never do a boil yourself; only a doctor can make the incision
Recurring boils may be a signal of diabetes or other serious illness.
hair follicle infection – typical infection with staphylococcus of the hair follicles, manifested by purulent papules; they can be single or multiple and usually disappear after a few days; they mainly appear on the skin of the face or limbs, and in most cases are the result of cuts caused by shaving. Treatment of lesions consists in the local application of disinfectants or preparations with an antibiotic.
fig – is a chronic purulent inflammation of the hair follicle resulting from a staphylococcus aureus infection and affects the facial hairy skin of men. The disease process can last for many months or years and in some cases it can lead to the destruction of the hair papillae with the formation of atrophic scars. Treatment is reduced to the use of topical preparations with antibiotics and disinfectants as well as the oral use of antibiotics and B vitamins. Proper care during shaving is very important, among others. use of disposable razors.
neonatal bullous impetigo – Staphylococcus aureus infection, appearing in the first weeks of life, characterized by the formation of blisters initially filled with serous and then serous-purulent, most often located on the trunk and limbs; these changes are not accompanied by general symptoms, such as fever, and disappear after a few days. This infection is most often the result of the acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus by a newborn from the mother or from the staff of the neonatal unit. Treatment consists in the use of disinfecting baths, e.g. in a solution of potassium permanganate, and in the event of complications, the use of antibiotics.
neonatal bullous and exfoliative dermatitis = SSSS syndrome – specific infection caused by strains of staphylococcus aureus producing an epidermolytic toxin that destroys the epidermis, resulting in blistering and peeling of the epidermis. The infection most often affects children up to 3 months of age, less often it is observed in older children and adults. In the course of the disease, there is high fever, pain and dehydration due to damaged skin. A sick child requires hospital treatment; in uncomplicated cases, after a few days, the lesions heal without leaving scars. Treatment includes topical treatments and the use of general antibiotics.
rose – classic streptococcal infection, involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue; the characteristic clinical picture is a painful, tense inflammatory infiltrate accompanied by high fever. The lesion most often affects the face and lower limbs and is caused by minor injuries, and the factors favoring the disease are: diabetes mellitus, leg ulcers, varicose veins, obesity and lymphoedema of the upper limb after breast cancer surgery. Treatment is reduced to the use of an antibiotic orally or by injection, and in the case of lesions on the lower limb, it is necessary to lie down with the leg elevated and to use anticoagulants.
impetigo contagious – characteristic mixed infection, caused by staphylococci and streptococci, which is mainly observed in children. The clinical picture of the infection is vesicopurulent lesions which are quickly disrupted with the formation of drying honey-yellow scabs, most often located around the mouth and nose. The infectivity of lesions is high and children become infected as a result of direct contact or through objects such as cups, cutlery, etc. In most cases, the course of the disease is mild and requires local treatment (ointments with antibiotics and disinfectants).
bacterial blisters – mixed streptococcal-staphylococcal infection, which is manifested by inflammatory and exudative lesions located in the skin folds. These changes are most often observed, among others in the groin, in the armpits, in the folds between the buttocks or in the folds of the breast in women. The contributing factors are: excessive sweating and prolonged contact with urine (especially in infants). Treatment consists of topical application of disinfectant powders or antibiotic ointments.
To sum up, the basic action to reduce the risk of purulent skin diseases is to follow the basic rules of hygiene and skin care.
Also read: Fungal skin infections
The skin reacts with a disease to stress – see Zdrowie.TvoiLokony