Scrofula

General description of the disease

The common people call scrofula exudative diathesis or scrofula^[3].

This pathology is predominantly affected by children, but sometimes adults are exposed to this disease. Some dermatologists consider scrofula to be a form of diathesis, but it is believed that scrofula is one of the manifestations of tuberculous skin lesions.

Scrofula manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin. This pathology also signals the reduced protective functions of the body. The disease often affects people with low body weight and living in poor living conditions. Some experts associate this pathology with metabolic disorders and blood diseases.

Causes of scrofula

The development of scrofula is provoked by various types of mycobacteria, including tubercle bacillus. This disease can have different clinical forms and affect the lymph nodes, bones and joints. But most often scrofula affects the skin. There are many hypotheses about the causes of this pathology:

• unsanitary living conditions;
• prolonged absence of a shower;
• excessive consumption of sweets;
• hypovitaminosis;
• genetic predisposition;
• side effects when taking medications;
• reaction to certain foods;
• mycobacterium tuberculosis;
• bad habits;
• poor nutrition.

Scrofula is usually a banal reaction to sweat, dust, or food; this is one of the manifestations of atopic dermatitis.

Scrofula symptoms

The first signs of the disease appear in the form of peeling, itching, usually on the scalp. Pathology in the form of exudative diathesis can manifest itself even in newborns, reaching its peak closer to 1 year. In infants with this form of scrofula, lymph nodes may be enlarged, there may be swelling, such children are too phlegmatic or, on the contrary, irritable.

As a rule, in the period from autumn to spring, an exacerbation begins and the following appear on the skin:

• hives;
• diaper rash;
• eczema;
• milk crust in the area of the eyebrows and scalp.

Scrofula as a form of scrofula manifests itself as:

1. 1 fevers;
2. 2 enlarged lymph nodes;
   3 rapid weight loss;
3. 4 heavy sweating;
4. 5 redness of the eyes;
5. 6 small yellowish nodules in the skin;
6. 7 general malaise;
7. 8 inflammation of the mucous membranes;
8. 9 coryza with purulent discharge;
9. 10 discharge from the ears;
10. 11 hearing impairment;
11. 12 digestive disorders.

In some cases, in adults, golden crusts may appear behind the ears and on the scalp and face, while patients are worried about severe itching, and when scratching, a moist pinkish surface appears under the crust.

Complications of scrofula

With incorrect or untimely therapy in patients, golden crusts begin to spread rapidly and affect the cheeks, nose, forehead, neck and other parts of the body. The crusts begin to crack, causing severe pain.

Complications can also be manifested by purulent inflammation of the middle and outer ear and hearing loss. Possible complications of this disease include pronounced scarring and pain in the neck.

Scrofula can complicate the course of other pathologies, increasing the propensity of patients to bronchitis, rhinitis, inflammation of the adenoids. Secondary bacterial infection of the skin is also possible, which requires antibiotic therapy.

Prevention of scrofula

Scrofula is not transmitted by airborne droplets or by contact with a patient. In order to prevent the development of this pathology, it is necessary to wash regularly, live in normal living conditions and eat in a balanced way.

It is quite simple to prevent scrofula in children, it is enough to adhere to the following preventive measures:

periodically ventilate the nursery;
make sure that the baby’s room is clean;
walk with your child on the street daily;
breastfeeding the baby for as long as possible;
restriction in high-calorie foods;
do not include muffins and sweets in the diet of small children;
in the autumn-winter period, give the baby vitamins;
visit a pediatrician regularly;
follow the rules of personal hygiene;
you can not wrap up the child and allow him to sweat;
when breastfeeding, the mother must monitor her diet.

Scrofula treatment in official medicine

Scrofula of a scrofulous nature is treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs for a long time, at least a year. In some cases, diathermocoagulation, radiotherapy and surgery may be necessary. During remission, patients are shown spa therapy.

Scrofula in the form of atopic dermatitis requires a different treatment regimen:

1. 1 first you need to identify the allergen and eliminate it;
2. 2 during an exacerbation, patients are shown local steroids;
3. 3 the use of immunosuppressive drugs;
4. 4 it is recommended to use ointments and products that prevent skin moisture loss;
5. 5 to eliminate itching, patients are prescribed antihistamines and antipruritic agents.

During the treatment of scrofula, you should temporarily abandon:

• taking hot baths;
• intense physical activity;
• emotional stress;the use of detergents that can cause dry skin;
• long bathing;
• wearing fleece and wool clothing that irritate the skin.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!