Furuncle on the face: causes and treatment of boils on the head

An internal boil is a purulent bacterial nodule that forms in the deep layers of the epidermis, which simultaneously affects the hair follicle and adjacent tissues. With any dysfunction of the skin's protective mechanisms, the normal microflora is attacked by a bacterial group and causes swelling and suppuration.

Since such foci of inflammation are localized in different parts of the body, the disease can become a source of serious consequences for life. A subcutaneous boil should not be opened independently, since purulent masses can quickly spread, affecting blood vessels and lymph. Only a competent specialist will help diagnose the presence of inflammation and prescribe specialized therapy.

Features of the pathology

Subcutaneous inflammation, affecting not only the surface of the epidermis, but also adipose tissue, as well as the deep layers of the dermis, can be diagnosed as an internal boil. The damaging element of this disease is the activation of staphylococcal microorganisms that can quickly multiply in favorable conditions.

Manifestations

The symptoms of this disease are usually quite pronounced:

the formation is dense and has a large penetration depth;
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severe redness of the inflammation area affects a large volume of tissue;
headache;
increased body temperature;
the patient feels pain when performing any actions in muscle tissue associated with suppuration;
prolonged formation of a purulent head or its complete absence.

Most often, subcutaneous formations occur on the face and neck, in areas where the sebaceous glands are located and in places of increased sweating: above the lip, in the nose, in the area of the external auditory canal. There are frequent cases of localization of boils on the forearms, thighs and buttocks.

Development of education

The progression of pathology and maturation of the subcutaneous abscess takes several stages:

Formation of infiltrate. At this stage, bacterial damage to the hair follicle occurs and the formation of an infiltrate that can reach up to 4 cm in diameter. In the area where a group of staphylococci accumulates, redness, swelling and painful tingling are observed.
A purulent-necrotic lesion appears after a few days in the core of the infiltrate and is a small yellowish rod. After spontaneous emptying of the purulent masses, the swelling gradually subsides and the patient’s condition returns to normal.
Regression and healing. The surface, freed from purulent discharge and necrotic accumulations, gradually tightens. However, if the depth of the lesion was too great, a noticeable scar may form on the skin.

Any boil goes through these stages, but the danger of an internal abscess is the too slow formation of a purulent core (in some cases it may be completely absent or grow inward), which significantly slows down the healing process and complicates treatment.

If the treatment is carried out correctly, the formation of boils under the skin should fade away. In cases of complications, the pathology can progress to the stage of recurrent or chronic furunculosis. This condition entails numerous complications: the development of tissue abscesses, meningitis, even sepsis.

Why does an abscess occur?

An internal boil occurs due to an imbalance of microorganisms populating the surface layer of the epidermis. Staphylococcal strains are able to remain on the surface of the skin in a latent state, settling on the mucous membranes.

However, there are factors that can trigger the progression of inflammation:

severe hypothermia or overheating of the body;
increased sweating of the skin;
avitaminosis;
dysfunction of various functional systems of the body;
improper or insufficient hygiene;
excessive physical activity;
prolonged emotional stress;
primary infectious lesions of the body (bronchitis, pyelonephritis, otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis);
long-term use of drugs that suppress the immune system (for cancer);
frequent trauma to the skin (shaving, insect bites, scratches, scratching for eczema, scabies);
chronic stages of metabolic disorders (anemia, diabetes).

Dermatologists call the most common reason for the progression of the bacterial environment to be a decrease in the normal functioning of the immune system. Also among the most common cases of boils are a decrease in the protective mechanisms of the skin, its systematic injury and contamination.

In addition, you should know that staphylococcal infection can be easily transmitted in household conditions, so you should use

personal hygiene products.

Features of the problem

The so-called boil on the head is an inflammatory process of a purulent-necrotic nature. It develops in the area of the hair follicle and the tissues that surround it.

A furuncle is an inflammation of not only the hair follicle, but also the sebaceous gland and surrounding tissues

Note. The location of the boil can be absolutely any, but most often it is fixed in places where the skin is oily, for example, on the face.

The inflammatory process begins in the hair follicle after an infection penetrates there. There can be several ways of infection, for example, through cuts and cracks.

Damage to the skin, such as cracks, can become a route for the virus to enter the skin.

There are several signs indicating that you are dealing with boils on the face:

the focus of inflammation is larger than a normal pimple;
a purulent head is visible in the center of inflammation;
deep in the skin there is a dense infiltrated area;
severe pain in the area of inflamed skin, especially when touched;
the lesion gradually increases in size.

One of the signs of a boil is pain in the area of inflammation

Note. A boil on the head is characterized by a bacterial etiology, which indicates the constant proliferation of harmful microorganisms.

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Stages of ripening and features of localization on the face

From the onset of the first symptoms of illness to the healing of the skin tissue, the boil goes through 3 stages.

At the infiltration stage, redness with slight thickening appears on the skin. The seal increases in size. Swelling, itching, local hyperthermia, and pain occur. The subcutaneous lump is inactive.
During the purulent-necrotic period, the core of the boil appears on the compaction - a white purulent head. After a further course, the purulent contents of the boils will come out. Accompanied by acute pain and tingling. A slight touch brings discomfort.
The healing stage begins after the abscess breaks through. A cavity forms at the site of compaction. The size depends on the depth and scale of the chirp. On average, the healing process lasts 2-4 weeks.

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A furuncle can pop up on any part of the face. Often found on the chin, cheeks, and nasolabial triangle. They appear on the forehead in the area of hair growth and are large in size. Less commonly, boils can be seen on the eyebrows and nose. Abscesses in the temple area are large. Facial ulcers are the most dangerous. When the infection spreads, there is a high risk of dangerous diseases, including meningitis.

Modern treatment

From the last thing you read, you already understood that before treating a boil on your face, you need to think carefully. If you can still afford to wait on another part of the body, then if you find such “beauty” somewhere above the lip, you need to urgently go to the doctor.

At the very beginning, as soon as you feel the formation of inflammation, anoint it with some kind of antiseptic. It is advisable not to stain the skin, so that it is possible to assess its true size and the progress of enlargement.

Then don’t wait, but go to a dermatologist or surgeon. If you have several boils or one large one with many heads, then you should contact a specialist immediately.

Treatment tactics depend on the stage of the skin disease. Before the core matures and the purulent contents come out, some remedies are prescribed, but after the boil breaks out and at the healing stage, completely different wound care will be needed.

Antiseptics

First of all, solutions with alcohol are applied to the skin, which is slightly swollen and red. Before the ripening stage, the boil carries out antiseptic procedures.

If such actions do not help and the boil continues to increase in size, the person is bothered by pain, an urgent need to visit a doctor. Medical alcohol and calendula tincture are suitable for treating the skin.

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With the help of such means you can prevent the spread of infection.

Drug treatment

To prevent complications of the purulent process, antibiotics with a broad spectrum of action are prescribed. Among the drugs used are a group of penicillins, macrolides, aminoglycosides and others. Sometimes recurrent furunculosis occurs, in which case immunomodulators are prescribed to increase the body's defenses.

Various antibiotic ointments, Vishnevsky ointment and others should be used only as prescribed by a doctor, because they soften the tissue, and if the boil has not yet matured, the infection can spread. It is strictly forbidden to apply dry heat or various lotions to the sore spot, which can be dangerous to health.

Surgical intervention

The internal purulent inflammatory process on the face very often needs to be opened, because in this way the release of the contents will be accelerated and there will be no threat to the patient’s life. The procedure is carried out as necessary with local anesthesia, the boil is cleaned, washed and drained.

After removing dead tissue and purulent masses, ointments are applied to the wound in the form of a bandage, for example, with levomekol, erythromycin ointment.

How to get rid of mouth ulcers forever and how to treat them, will ointment help? As a rule, treatment should be comprehensive, and it consists of three parts. It is necessary to neutralize the cause of the appearance of an ulcer on the cheek or a white ulcer in the mouth.

Wounds need careful treatment, and the oral cavity needs general sanitation. In addition, in most cases, pain relief is necessary.

A white sore on the inside of the cheek can be cured by rinsing, good and correctly selected ointment and medications. Accurate identification of the cause and proper treatment of ulcers is the key to success.

How to treat mouth ulcers with folk remedies and is it possible? If the causes of ulcers on the palate are identified, treatment can be selected. Of course, it must be comprehensive. For example, an ointment or other medicine for various ulcers should be combined with mouth rinses.

Home treatment for mouth ulcers may include rinsing and scrubbing. How can you treat mouth ulcers in an adult?

Rinse with baking soda and salt

If a white sore appears, how to treat it? A good remedy is salt rinses. Solutions with soda and salt quickly disinfect all sores in the mouth and lip that need treatment, and prevent the growth of bacteria and possible exacerbations.

How can you cure mouth ulcers this way? The recipe is simple: for a glass of warm water - two teaspoons of salt and one spoon of soda. You can experiment a little with the ratio, because everyone’s taste buds work differently, and not everyone can handle too salty water.

Peroxide

The main advantage of hydrogen peroxide is the effective and rapid disinfection of infected areas of the mucous membrane. You need to be careful with this product: in its pure form it can cause minor chemical burns, which will only worsen the condition.

For sanitation, you need to mix peroxide (use 3%) with water, the ratio is 1:1. Treatment is carried out using a tampon or cotton swabs, repeat twice a day.

Before starting any type of treatment, it is better to find out what is causing the sudden appearance of sores in the mouth and cheek. Incorrect treatment will lead to the fact that the clinical picture will only worsen, and the disease, which can be cured in a couple of days, will drag on for months.

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Treatment of furunculosis on the face, due to its location and possible complications, requires an integrated and competent approach. An appropriate set of therapeutic measures is developed by a dermatologist, and the patient’s task is to strictly implement them.

If the course of furunculosis is severe and is accompanied by fever and symptoms of intoxication, hospitalization and treatment in a hospital are necessary. In other cases, the doctor will explain in detail how to treat a boil on the face at home, but some procedures can only be carried out in a medical facility.

Local antiseptic treatment

Before the boil ripens, the inflammation site is treated with 70% alcohol, salicylic alcohol or calendula tincture, furacilin solution, Xeroform powder. This is done to prevent the spread of infection.

The area of inflammation, without pressure or sudden movements, is carefully wiped with an appropriate antiseptic several times a day; frequent changes of bed linen (pillowcases) are necessary.

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Depending on the severity of the disease, one of the proven treatment methods is used: surgery, antibacterial therapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The doctor should prescribe therapy based on the data obtained after collecting anamnesis, receiving test results and undergoing all diagnostic procedures.

Surgical intervention

The appearance of any formations on the face always causes unpleasant feelings and anxiety. If the doctor has diagnosed that a boil has formed on the patient’s cheek, it is necessary to understand how to treat a boil on the cheek.

Treatment should be immediate and bring a quick effect, because the resulting formation can cause serious harm to the body.

What is a boil

The largest of them appear in places where there is increased friction: the neck, groin area and armpits. Formations most often appear in places where hair growth occurs. Therefore, they can often be diagnosed on a person’s cheek, mainly in men.

Furuncle

Boils, as a rule, do not cause severe pain. The formation process has several stages. It begins when a dangerous bacterium enters a human hair follicle. The part affected by the bacterium becomes inflamed and filled with pus, which is a breeding ground for bacteria.

When a person touches the site of inflammation, he feels pain. This happens as long as the boil is filled with pus. Subsequently, it will burst on its own and purulent fluid will flow out of it. Only appropriate treatment prescribed by a doctor will help you cope with education.

Distinctive features

It is quite easy to distinguish a boil from a standard pimple; it is characterized by pronounced symptoms:

The main inflammation is located deep under the skin. The inflamed area itself is a compacted area.
The area around it is always slightly reddish. In addition, the boil is larger than a regular pimple. This is caused by internal inflammation.
The boil increases in size over time. This happens because purulent masses accumulate inside.
Touching the affected part causes severe pain and significant discomfort.

What not to do

It is noted that a boil is significantly different from a simple pimple. It contains an infection, the spread of which can be caused by a person trying to get rid of the formation on their own.

Treatment methods for boils on the face

Treatment of furunculosis on the face is a necessary and responsible process. Lack of action delays the healing process and is accompanied by physical and emotional discomfort. If the treatment is incorrectly selected, a person can worsen the course of the disease. Before starting therapeutic measures at home, you should consult your doctor.

Operative techniques

Surgery for boils on the face is resorted to in cases where the focus of inflammation is large, there is a risk of rupture of the purulent capsule inward. Indication for surgery is the presence of severe accompanying symptoms - fever, swelling, intoxication of the body.

The surgical excision method is an effective way to get rid of a boil on the face. After administering the anesthetic, the surgeon cuts the skin over the boil, releasing the purulent capsule. The incision site is disinfected and washed. A drain is placed into the resulting cavity, removing fluid accumulations and helping to speed up the healing process. The wound is dressed with a sterile bandage containing an antibiotic.

The operation time depends on the size of the boil and the number of purulent foci. On average, it takes 30-40 minutes to cut out a boil.

Laser surgery is similar in principle to surgery using a scalpel. The difference between removal is made by several factors:

the cut is made using a laser beam;
the device has the ability to coagulate - cauterize small blood vessels;
the method eliminates direct contact with the skin;
the procedure is painless and does not require the use of analgesics;
After surgery, there is no likelihood of residual symptoms - scars, cicatrices.

Contact between the instrument and the skin is excluded, there is no risk of spreading an infectious agent or acquiring a bacterial infection.

Ointments, creams

Conservative treatment consists of using ointments and creams from the pharmacy. Drugs are distinguished by their principle of action, stage of use, and purpose.

Drawing ointments warm the abscess, helping it to mature. The products are used in the first stage, until the pus begins to come out.

An effective and popular drug is ichthyol ointment. It has a specific smell and a dense viscous consistency. Ichthyol should be smeared in a thick layer on the affected area, cotton wool applied, and secured with a plaster. The compress is worn for 2 hours, after which the remaining substance is removed from the skin. Daily use will help quickly cure the boil by drawing out the contents of the purulent capsule.

Vishnevsky ointment has a similar effect to ichthyol. Generously lubricate the boil on the face and apply a bandage. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day. Balsamic liniment can be anointed during ripening and after the abscess has broken through, for rapid healing of the wound.

Antibiotic ointments are designed to fight the pathogen and cause of the abscess - staphylococcus. They have a pronounced antibacterial effect and block the ability of microorganisms to reproduce. The use of drugs helps to get rid of the inflammatory process and accompanying symptoms, and speed up the healing process.

Levomekol is a common antibacterial agent for getting rid of skin rashes. Has a depressing effect on the pathogen. The drug can be spread during the maturation of chiria and during the healing stage. The ointment prevents the spread of infection, promotes the resorption of ulcers, and accelerates tissue regeneration.

Oflokain is an ointment with a pronounced antibacterial and analgesic effect. The components of the drug affect the infection, blocking the ability to reproduce. After use, the anti-inflammatory effect is noticeable, painful symptoms become less pronounced.

Tetracycline is a drug that helps treat purulent processes on the skin. Prescribed to combat pathogens and eliminate inflammatory symptoms. Not prescribed for the treatment of boils on the face of a child under 11 years of age, pregnant or lactating women.

Healing ointments accelerate the process of tissue regeneration. Prevents the colonization of bacteria in the wound, relieves swelling and itching.

Zinc ointment has a pronounced antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, regenerating effect. Due to the influence of the component, the ointment dries the wound surface, accelerating the recovery process. The drug does not cause side effects.

Solcoseryl gel is indicated for the recovery period. The drug helps relieve inflammation and itching. When applied, the gel does not create a film on the skin. Penetrates well into tissues. Promotes rapid drying of purulent wounds.

The skin and wound can be treated with antiseptic solutions - hydrogen peroxide, furatsilin, potassium permanganate.

Home treatment

Treat boils located on the face at home only after consulting a specialist. Traditional recipes are used for home treatment.

A popular remedy to remove a boil located on the face is baked onions. The onion is baked in the oven, after 1 cut of the vegetable is placed on the ripening boil. A warming bandage is placed on top. The compress is kept on the inflammation for 2 hours, then removed.

Honey dough has proven itself well. Combine flour, butter, honey in a container and mix. The resulting dough is applied to the abscess and secured with a bandage. The bandage is changed 3-4 times a day.

So that chiryak can ripen faster, use compresses with warm vodka, pine infusions, laundry soap, aloe leaves, Kalanchoe, chopped garlic, and black bread pulp.

Treatment

It is necessary to carry out therapeutic measures to eliminate the boil as early as possible. The faster course of its maturation depends on this.

When a boil appears in the facial area, the patient must be hospitalized. All therapeutic procedures should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist - a surgeon, dermatologist or therapist.

Sometimes the patient may be referred to a dentist, especially if the disease progresses with complications. This is because if treatment is carried out incorrectly, there is a possibility of damage to the facial nerve.

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The patient must remain in bed during therapy. If the boil is located in the area of the ears, neck or under the chin, the pustular formation should not be allowed to come into contact with clothing.

At the first signs of furunculosis development, it is necessary to treat the inflamed area with antiseptic agents. This will prevent the penetration of new pathogenic bacteria and stop inflammation.

The following drugs are suitable for this purpose:

hydrogen peroxide;
furatsilin;
salicylic alcohol.

When wiping the skin, it is not recommended to rub the boil itself. Disinfection is carried out several times a day. You should also avoid touching the abscess with your hands.

To speed up the maturation process, compresses with Vishnevsky ointment are prescribed. The drug has an unpleasant odor, so it is better to carry out the procedure before bed.

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After the release of necrotic masses occurs, the doctor also recommends antimicrobial treatment. It is also recommended to use ichthyol ointment, which helps draw out the remaining purulent contents and speeds up the healing process. For maximum results, use Levomycetin and Tetracycline in the form of ointments.

If multiple formation of boils is noted on the face, the specialist prescribes antibiotic therapy. In this case, 3 groups of funds can be used:

Penicillins (Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav);
Macrolides (Azithromycin, Erythromycin and others);
Cephalosporins (Cefazolin, Cefotaxime).

The choice of one or another remedy is made based on the results of tests performed by a doctor to determine the type of pathogen. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the body’s sensitivity to antibiotics of certain groups. At a high level, treatment will be more effective.

Physiotherapy

To disinfect the area around the boil, accelerate tissue regeneration and the process of abscess maturation, an electric field and ultraviolet irradiation can be prescribed.

The procedures are painless, prevent an increase in the inflammatory process and relieve pain.

Physiotherapy is suitable for all stages of boil formation.

To increase the body's resistance, ozone therapy is prescribed, as a result of which the tissues are saturated with oxygen, which stimulates the immune and barrier functions of the skin.

Surgery

When physical therapy does not lead to positive results, the boil is removed surgically. The following methods of opening a boil are distinguished:

Laser burning of the rod is one of the safest procedures, after which there are no scars on the face or marks on the skin. Wound healing occurs painlessly within a short period of time. The process does not require daily dressings.
Scalpel dissection of tissue. Surgical treatment with this method is necessary in cases where there is an abundant accumulation of purulent contents. The affected area is treated with an anesthetic before surgery. The abscess is cut and the pus is squeezed out. After this, the wound is expanded and cleaned of residual fluid. Next, they are treated with an antiseptic and dressings are made for 10 days.

For faster wound healing, you can also use Vishnevsky ointment.

How not to damage your appearance

To maintain the beauty and health of your facial skin, you need to follow some rules:

It is forbidden to squeeze, scratch, or pierce boils, as this may provoke internal opening of the purulent capsule. Will lead to swelling, spread of infection, complications. Squeezing increases the risk of subsequent scarring and scarring on the facial skin.
It is unacceptable to heat a ripe boil.
Going to a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pools, or public bathing places is contraindicated.
It is better to avoid using cosmetics during the development of a boil and until the wound has completely healed. Some drugs can provoke the opening of an abscess and lead to the development of dangerous consequences.
If the boil is located in the nasolabial triangle, on the chin, men should refrain from shaving. There is a high risk of damage to the abscess.
Scrubs, masks, and abrasives are not used.
After washing, dry your face carefully, without unnecessary friction.
The use of medications without prescription is contraindicated. A person who decides to treat himself may worsen the situation. Delay the healing process and cause increased symptoms.

By following the recommendations step by step, a person will be able to get rid of abscesses quickly, painlessly, with minimal risks to their own appearance.

Possible complications

Boils located on the face are considered the most dangerous. If the infection spreads, there is a high risk of inflammatory processes in the internal organs. The risk of developing meningitis increases.

The list of possible complications of boils includes: carbuncle, ulcerative formation, fistula, tissue necrosis, sepsis. There is a possibility of developing diseases: erysipelas (inflammatory allergic formations), phlegmon (purulent inflammatory spot).

The appearance of colloidal scars on the skin can be considered a complication that occurs when the wound is not properly cared for during the healing period.

A boil on a person’s face is a dangerous phenomenon that must be treated correctly and responsibly. You should not neglect going to the doctor. Only a specialist can fully assess the condition of the skin and prescribe effective treatment. The sooner actual therapy begins, the lower the risk of developing health and life-threatening consequences.

The appearance of rashes on the face creates discomfort for both sexes, but if pimples and acne are perceived negatively from an aesthetic point of view, then boils can cause harm to health. Doctors report that furunculosis that does not receive proper treatment progresses to the chronic stage and causes dangerous complications. Why does it require urgent action and how to deal with it?

Causes

Many different factors contribute to the formation of boils on the face, which you should know in order to eliminate these purulent seals:

Sudden changes in temperature are caused by a violation of the body's thermoregulation. Therefore, a person often sweats, as a result of which the production of sebum on the face increases and the number of microorganisms increases. This leads to the formation of acne. With open wounds and scratches, boils may appear.
Anemia - characterized by a lack of blood supply to the cells and tissues of the body, as a result of which various disorders appear, leading to the development of purulent formations.
Poor metabolism – slow metabolism provokes untimely removal of metabolic products from the body. They begin to escape through the skin, contributing to the appearance of boils.
Pathologies of the endocrine system have an important impact on the functioning of internal organs. With diabetes and thyroid disease, the immune system begins to weaken, leading to various consequences.
Weak immune status is caused by dysfunction of the entire body, its organs and systems.
Damage to the skin - the presence of open wounds, scratches, cuts can be the main reason for the development of boils on the face. Since a large number of pathogenic microorganisms accumulate on their surface, which subsequently lead to suppuration.
The use of hormonal drugs - some drugs in this group can indirectly affect the appearance of boils on the face. In this case, you should consult a medical specialist.
Dysfunction of the nervous system - such pathological processes are characterized by poor blood circulation, which causes organs and tissues to suffer. In such people, the upper and lower extremities are constantly cold, there is an insufficient supply of nutrients to certain parts of the body, which is why boils occur.
Failure to comply with cleanliness rules is an important cause of purulent formations on the skin of the face and other parts of the body. It is imperative to carry out hygienic procedures so that microorganisms and sebum do not accumulate on the surface of the epidermis.

What is furunculosis

Purulent-necrotic inflammation that occurs in the hair follicle, affecting the sebaceous gland and nearby connective tissue - this is the definition given to a boil (popularly called a boil) in official medicine. The disease that occurs as a result of the appearance of such foci of inflammation is called “furunculosis.” The causative agent of the problem is Staphylococcus aureus: a gram-positive pyogenic bacterium. According to doctors, a boil on the face is not only aesthetically unattractive, but also dangerous. If left untreated, the following may occur:

phlegmon of the upper lip;
sepsis;
meningitis;
phlegmon of the lateral slope of the nose;
meningoencephalitis;
lymphadenitis;
phlebitis of the orbital or facial veins;
thrombosis of the sinuses of the meninges.

This list of severe complications that arise if you ignore a boil that appears on the face is determined by the proximity of blood and lymphatic vessels through which the infection spreads to the internal organs and the brain. Once not fully (or correctly) treated, furunculosis becomes chronic, which is characterized by the systematic appearance of single or multiple boils on the face or other parts of the body.

Features of localization of boils on the cheek

A boil in the cheek area is easy to recognize if you know its characteristic features:

The pustular formation looks like a regular pimple. A distinctive feature is the pronounced hard structure and painfulness of the boil.
The development of purulent-necrotic formation is accompanied by the spread of inflammation to neighboring areas. The size of the pathological focus increases sharply.
The abscess lies deep in the thickness of the skin.
The center of formation is represented by a whitish head (the shaft of the boil).
In the phase of boil maturation, the inflammatory process is accompanied by pain during eating, movements of the lower jaw, and hygiene procedures.
The clinical picture of the pathological condition is characterized by an increase in temperature to subfebrile levels.
When the abscess breaks, the severity of the listed symptoms decreases.

The danger of a boil is determined by its location. Localization of the abscess on the cheek threatens the spread of the inflammatory process to the brain.

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The presence of an inflamed area above the mouth line is accompanied by a high risk of developing life-threatening conditions of internal organs. Through a well-developed vascular system, staphylococci enter the vessels of the head, brain and spinal cord. Cavernous sinus thrombosis, abscess or phlegmon, encephalitis, and meningitis develop. All conditions can be fatal. The high risk of complications is associated with incorrect diagnosis of the condition by doctors and patients. Patients may confuse a boil with a formation on the inside of the cheek. The formation does not occur on the oral mucosa. There is no hair here.

A boil in the mouth on the cheek, a myth! The absence of hair automatically excludes boils. Aphthous stomatitis, fungal infections, benign and malignant formations can occur on the oral mucosa. For a correct diagnosis, you need to consult a doctor who will competently approach the identification of the cause of the disease and differentiation of the pathological focus. The patient is prescribed additional research methods (general clinical tests, bacteriological culture from the source of infection).

Symptoms of a boil on the face

Adults and children are likely to miss the initial stage of furunculosis, since it is characterized only by mild itching in the area affected by the microbe. Minor pain may be experienced, but it predominantly accompanies extensive furunculosis rather than a single boil on the forehead or cheek. If you try to stretch the skin in this area, you can feel a local increase in density (infiltration stage). The following stages of development of the problem:

The formation enlarges, turns red, and therefore becomes noticeable. There is a cone of pus under the skin. The pain intensifies, especially when touching the affected area.
In the cone you can see a rod that looks like a black dot and pus nearby. With extensive furunculosis at this stage there is headache, increased body temperature, and weakness. More severe but rare symptoms are general facial swelling and decreased vision.
A breakthrough occurs, the tissues die, the rod comes out with blood, and pus is released. The pain subsides, the ulcer becomes covered with a crust.
The tissues heal, swelling decreases. A small scar remains at the site of the boil.

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Localization

Extensive furunculosis can affect any area of the face, especially if carbuncles (purulent lesions that unite several hair follicles) begin to appear. They can be observed along the marginal hairline, and in men, under the mustache or beard. A single boil on the face is highly likely to occur in the maxillofacial area, since here the sebaceous glands are especially active and dirt accumulates in large quantities. Main localization points on the face:

nasolabial triangle;
cheeks;
near the ears;
forehead;
near the wings of the nose;
inside the nasal passages;
along the contour of the lips;
on the chin.

Differences between a boil and a pimple

At the initial stage, most skin rashes look the same - slight redness, small size, change in relief, but as they mature, the boil on the face acquires characteristic features. It will no longer be possible to confuse it with a simple pimple, since it is dense, surrounded by edema, and is characterized by:

increased pain when the affected area of the skin is strained and when touched;
purulent head;
increase in the first days of appearance;
slow maturation;
itching, tingling, increased temperature in the affected area;
enlarged lymph nodes (with extensive furunculosis).

Healing stage

The opened abscess heals. The resulting wound is filled with connective tissue, overgrown and epithelized, that is, covered with healthy skin.

After two or three days, a small retracted scar remains at the site of the boil.

It is important not to confuse an abscess on the cheek with a simple pimple, and not to start squeezing or picking at the reddened, swollen cheek. Therefore, you need to know about the main symptoms by which doctors determine the nature of the disease.

When a boil just begins to emerge, it can easily be mistaken for a regular pimple. However, this is a misconception. In fact, any person can independently identify the disease at the initial stage of development. Knowledge about the characteristics of this disease and the stages of its development can help with this.

Stage 1. First, we feel a slight itch in a specific area of the face. This is evidence that many microorganisms are concentrated here and begin to multiply.
Stage 2. Here you can already notice how the skin becomes red, slight swelling and pain occur. The areas of the skin where it is swollen resemble a cone. In its center you can see the affected follicle, in which purulent contents gradually form.
Stage 3. After about 5 days, a necrotic core can be seen at the top of the swelling. It appears as a black dot containing dead tissue surrounded by an abscess. At this stage, a person is faced not only with painful sensations, but also experiences a headache, quickly gets tired, feels weak, and sometimes the temperature may rise.
Stage 4. A month after the first signs of the disease appear, the boil breaks out, as a result, the tissues are cleared of pus, and the resulting wound begins to gradually heal.
Stage 5. Gradually, swelling and painful sensations begin to be seen less and less clearly. It tightens almost completely. In this place you can already see a bright scar, which after some time acquires a bright color and no longer stands out against the background of the color of the surrounding skin.

But you shouldn’t assume now that boils don’t bother you anymore. Quite often, single boils appear on the skin when a person develops a mild form of the disease, so their appearance two to three times a year is considered normal. Very . Otherwise, in the future you may encounter a group of boils, which over time may grow together, resulting in a rather wide purulent zone.

What characteristic symptoms signal this problem, which is especially unpleasant when localized on the face and head in the hair:

the skin at the site of inflammation turns red and becomes hot to the touch;
the affected area is dense, swelling occurs around it;
the sore spot makes itself felt by itching, tingling, pulsation;
the cone-shaped seal quickly increases in size and causes pain;
the development of a boil is accompanied by fever, headaches, enlarged lymph nodes, weakness, and sometimes fever.

If such symptoms appear, you should seek help from a doctor, since treating ulcers on the face at home is dangerous due to complications.

It is imperative to visit a doctor if several boils form on your face, close to each other.

This is a sign of the development of a carbuncle, which without proper treatment can provoke infection into the bloodstream. Find out what a carbuncle is, its causes and treatment methods here.

Boils on the face are most often located in the upper or lower lip area. Less commonly, a boil may occur in the ear or nose, or on the skin of the forehead. The most severe boils are those that form in the area of the upper lip, corners of the mouth, as well as in the nose and infraorbital areas (this corresponds to the area of the nasolabial triangle).

If you have a boil, treatment at the very first stage of inflammation can be carried out at home. At later stages, only surgical treatment is indicated. Next, we will analyze the clinical stages of boil development and the corresponding symptoms.

Stages of boil formation and their symptoms -

1) At the beginning of its formation, the boil simply resembles a swelling rising above the surface of the skin (soft tissue infiltration). At that stage of development, there is still no pus or necrotic core in it, but the tissues are very dense to the touch, tense, and painful when touched.

2) At the second stage, which usually occurs after 3-5 days, symptoms of pus formation inside the boil already appear, which leads to an increase in its size. In addition to the increase in the size of the boil, patients note increased pain, which can become throbbing, as well as an increase in body temperature up to 38.0 degrees.

Gradually, the pressure of pus on the walls of the boil increases, and this can lead to the fact that it can spontaneously open. In this case, pus will begin to appear on the surface of the skin, and the necrotic core will begin to gradually emerge from the depths of the tissue to the outside (Fig. 11).

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3) At the third stage, tissue regeneration begins. This stage begins after the emptying of pus from the cavity of the boil and rejection of the necrotic core. Tissue swelling and inflammation at this stage gradually decreases, and tissue healing occurs with the formation of a small scar. In the next section we will describe in detail how to treat a boil at different stages of the inflammatory process.

If you find inflammation on your face and there is a suspicion of furunculosis, then you should pay attention to the fact that the boil forms in several stages, which takes on average about 30 days.

Stage 1 - infiltration. An infection that has entered a suitable habitat begins to actively develop, which may result in itching and pain around the affected area. Over time, the surface of the skin becomes denser and reddens.

Stage 2 - suppuration. After a few days (about 3-4 on average), a rod with pus forms in the very center of the inflammatory area. Externally, it is presented in the form of a purulent pustule. In such a situation, there may be an increase in temperature and increased pain.

Stage 3 - healing. When purulent fluid is released, the swelling subsides, and the pain becomes much less, after which a pronounced small scar appears, over time it changes its color to a darker one and is practically invisible.

In the first stage, the infection causes pain and redness

The microorganism, once in a favorable environment, begins to actively multiply, forming swelling and causing itching and soreness around its location. Gradually the skin thickens and turns red. The infiltrate increases to several centimeters, becomes more dense and swells. The pain is increasing.

Reasons for the formation of boils on the face of an adult

Before starting to draw up a therapeutic course, it is important to determine the prerequisites for the problem. Facial boils can be caused by improper or insufficient hygiene, especially in people with combination or oily skin types, and this is easier to deal with than other factors. The formation of boils is also promoted by:

impaired metabolism;
severe stress;
untreated infectious diseases;
decreased immunity, colds;
hormonal disbalance;
mechanical damage to the skin.

How to treat a boil on the face

You can deal with single rashes on your own, but if we are talking about furunculosis with a large affected area, treatment begins with a visit to a dermatologist. If symptoms of severe intoxication appear, hospitalization and inpatient therapy are required. Home treatment is conservative in nature and involves local treatment with drugs, taking medications (if necessary) and visiting a physiotherapist’s office. When fighting furunculosis, several medical recommendations should be followed:

Skin treatment with antibacterial compounds must be carried out daily, affecting not only the area of inflammation itself, but also the areas around it.
When a dense infiltrate forms, the use of brilliant green or iodine is prohibited, as this will interfere with a proper medical examination (if one is planned).
No self-medication with antibiotics - all medications for systemic therapy are prescribed by a doctor.

If carbuncles appear, you should see a doctor: you cannot cope with them on your own. A similar recommendation is for people whose single rashes do not break out. Some complex cases require autohemotherapy - subcutaneous injection of the patient's own venous blood. The step-by-step treatment of less severe situations in general terms is as follows:

Application of anti-inflammatory compounds and substances that promote breakthrough.
Applying wet dressings with compounds that help remove purulent contents after opening.
After removing pus and necrotic tissue, apply antibacterial ointments to the wounds.

If a boil appears on your face, you cannot treat it like a regular pimple: you can seriously aggravate the situation. Be sure to read the list of prohibitions imposed on the behavior of a person faced with furunculosis, so that the matter does not reach the operating table:

Do not try to squeeze out a boil on the face - the veins passing through this area connect to the brain, which can cause serious complications: meningitis, brain abscess.
Do not open a mature rash with sharp objects at hand (blade, needle), even if you have treated them with an antiseptic: disinfection without thermal exposure is considered incomplete, so infection is possible.
Do not wet the opened boil, do not abuse water procedures - at this stage of treatment constant dressings and dryness are required.
Do not touch the boil on your face with your hands - only with sterile cotton wool, preferably treated with an antiseptic.

Medicines for external use

While the abscess persists, the inflammation is treated with antiseptics - a solution of iodine (a couple of drops per glass of cool water) or boric alcohol is used; Chlorhexidine and Miramistin are less effective. Afterwards the following categories of ointments are used:

Antibacterial or antimicrobial - help cope with suppuration, used on burns and boils. They destroy the infection (kill the pathogen) and stimulate the restoration of the dermis. Ointments under the following names have these qualities: Oflocain, tetracycline, syntomycin.
Pulling - help the formation of pustules, so that after the boil breaks out on its own and pus comes out of it. Some of them help reduce swelling, have weak healing properties, and relieve pain. Among the effective ointments of this type are Levomekol, Dioxyzol, and heparin.
Healing - have a more pronounced effect of stimulating the regenerative processes of the skin than the antibacterial ones listed above, have anti-inflammatory properties, eliminate redness, and dry out. They are used at the last stage or on single rashes. This category includes Vishnevsky liniment, ichthyol, zinc ointment.

Oral medications

At any stage of furunculosis, drugs that strengthen the immune system and vitamin complexes are useful. According to indications, the doctor prescribes antibiotics from different groups. They help prevent complications by killing the infectious agent and stopping the inflammatory process. Doctors especially advise:

Lincomycin - with fever, severe inflammation, risk of sepsis. Kills pathogenic bacteria 2-3 hours after administration; in addition, it can be applied topically. It is prescribed when the internal boil on the face is in the maturing stage.
Amoxiclav, Augmentin are combination products containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid that have a bactericidal effect. Used in the presence of an abscess, the course of treatment does not exceed 5 days.
Fuzidin sodium - shows high activity against staphylococci, has a bacteriostatic effect. Prescribed for phlegmon, abscesses. Applies for 7-10 days.

Physiotherapy

When an abscess cannot break through for a long time, some doctors send the patient to a surgeon, but most try to use conservative methods until the last minute. Among the particularly effective, but no longer available at home, are physiotherapy. They can be prescribed after opening the boil, if the affected area was extensive, and even after surgery - with them the dermis heals faster. The choice between types of physiotherapy is made by the doctor:

Ultrasonic radiation at low frequencies helps the head to dissolve or open after ripening.
Ultraviolet radiation on the affected area helps reduce the intensity of pain and remove burning sensation. Often, the doctor will then apply an antibacterial ointment for boils on the face.
Using the dry heat of a laser on a ripening abscess for rapid dehiscence.

Folk remedies

If the area of furunculosis on the face is small (single boils or small and rare areas of their accumulation), you can try to get rid of them using traditional medicine. The number of procedures required to eliminate boils varies from 5 to 20. If there is no effect or the condition worsens, you should immediately contact a specialist. The most effective and safe recipes for facial skin:

Bake the peeled onion in the oven (cook at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes), let cool to a comfortable temperature. Cut it in half or into smaller pieces, apply it to the boil with the cut point, and hold it for half an hour or an hour. For greater convenience, you can grate warm onion, mix with a drop of camphor oil and apply it in the form of a paste: it will be easier to fix it with a bandage or plaster. The product will speed up the exit of the rod. Carry out the procedure up to 2 times/day.
Soak the brown bread crumb with a couple of tablespoons of warm milk, add a little salt, and stir. Apply the resulting slurry to the areas of furunculosis, cover with parchment and gauze, and secure with a band-aid. You can keep the compress for 4-5 hours: it draws out the pus and removes the swelling.
Scald fresh birch leaves, rub them several times over a piece of laundry soap and apply to the boils. Cover with gauze and secure with a band-aid. Remove after 2-3 hours - this product will stimulate the release of pus.
Mash a piece of propolis and combine with butter or animal fat (proportion 1:4), heat in a water bath for 1.5 hours, without letting it boil. Lubricate the wounds remaining in the affected areas after the pus comes out, up to 2 times a day. The mixture will promote healing of the skin.

Furuncle on the cheek: how to treat and what to do at home

A boil on the cheek looks unsightly. Reddened, swollen skin itches and itches. A person hides an abscess under a layer of cosmetics, tries to squeeze out a boil, self-medicates, asks friends for advice instead of seeing a doctor.

A boil differs from a simple pimple in its inflammatory infiltrate. This node is bright red, dense and painful to the touch.

Attempts to independently squeeze out the contents of an immature abscess will lead to the fact that the causative agent of inflammation will not only infect the surrounding tissues, but will also penetrate the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels.

Causes of abscesses

A boil on the cheek appears for various reasons. Unfavorable weather conditions, for example, severe frost and failure to follow basic rules of facial care, lead to the epidermis cracking and flaking. Neglect of hygiene or, conversely, fanaticism regarding cosmetic procedures, peeling, and cleansing also damages the skin and washes away the protective layer from the surface of the epidermis.

The skin is left without protection. Pathogenic bacteria that fall on it penetrate into the deeper layers and provoke inflammatory processes, including furunculosis.

Other causes of boils on the face:

Previous illnesses that weaken the immune system (for example, colds, flu).
Chronic or autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes.
Improper metabolism.
Avitaminosis.
Abuse of sweet, flour, fatty foods.
Alcohol, smoking.
The habit of touching your face with your hands, combing, scratching, rubbing.

As a result of such actions, boils also appear on the cheeks, because the opportunity to wash your hands during the day is not provided so often.

How to recognize a boil: symptoms of different stages

There are several stages of development of the inflammatory process:

infiltrate;
suppuration;
necrosis.

At the end, the internal abscess of the cheek “ripens” and bursts, pus and necrotic masses come out. A wound remains, which subsequently heals.

Infiltration stage

At the initial stage, the boil is a compacted formation on the cheek. Inflammation is not yet noticeable, but the skin around the affected area turns red. Cellular elements with blood and lymph accumulate in the tissues. A small nodule forms in the affected area.

After a day, a white or yellow dot appears in the center of the painful lump. This is the “head” of the boil. The infiltration stage progresses into the suppuration stage.

Stage of suppuration

Around the inflamed area, the skin of the cheek swells, and the area of redness expands. Purulent masses accumulate in the hair follicle and adjacent sebaceous gland. The size of the infiltrate increases, which seems to rise above the skin.

At this stage, the boil resembles a cone in shape, in the center of which, under the thinned skin, a purulent-necrotic core of a grayish-green color is visible.

As the boil matures, the pus is rejected, and finally the stem itself is separated. A deep wound remains, which bleeds moderately.

Healing stage

The opened abscess heals. The resulting wound is filled with connective tissue, overgrown and epithelized, that is, covered with healthy skin.

After two or three days, a small retracted scar remains at the site of the boil.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

Doctors diagnose a boil based on the clinical manifestations of the disease and signs of an infectious process.

The patient is given a blood test and tested for the sensitivity of the furunculosis pathogen to drugs.

Help with boils

Often the abscesses jump up, ripen and burst, and the wounds heal without leaving a trace. The main thing is not to aggravate the course of the disease and not to interfere with the formation of an abscess on the cheek.

It is permissible to use antiseptic ointments that penetrate into the abscess and fight inflammation.

They dry out swollen skin, reduce pain, promote rapid maturation of the abscess and self-cleaning of the wound.

Seek medical help if:

The abscess has no head.
Education is very painful.
The abscess occupies a large area of the cheek.
Three days have passed, and the patient’s condition is worsening.
The patient develops furunculosis (many ulcers), fever, and headache.
From the boil, red stripes “diverge” along the cheek.

If you have an abscess on your cheek, it is better to immediately consult a dermatologist to avoid complications, scars and cicatrices.

Treatment with drugs

Treatment of a boil on the cheek is most often limited to topical preparations that are applied to the affected area. Antiseptic ointments are usually prescribed. If a person has furunculosis, the temperature rises, and the general condition worsens, the doctor prescribes antimicrobial medications:

Lincomycin;
Cephalexin;
Amoxiclav.

Before prescribing a specific drug, the doctor refers the patient to a test that identifies the causative agent of purulent inflammation of the skin. Without a microbiological analysis, there is a high risk of prescribing an ineffective medicine, because Staphylococcus aureus is surprisingly resistant to many antibacterial drugs.

An antibiotic will only be effective if you take the entire course prescribed by your doctor. Typically, medications are taken for 5 to 7 days.

It is impossible to arbitrarily stop treating a boil with antibiotics, even if the condition has significantly improved. The infection will return and the boil will develop again.

Only it will be more difficult to defeat it with antibacterial agents, because the “surviving” pathogen will become resistant to the action of the drug.

Surgical intervention

Surgical intervention provides an effective result. He has his own testimony. A boil is removed surgically from the cheek if it threatens the patient’s health or if drug treatment is ineffective.

Such an operation is performed only in a hospital by a surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia. The skin at the top of the boil is incised crosswise. Through this incision, the doctor removes the pus and necrotic core. The wound is thoroughly disinfected and a gauze bandage is applied to the cheek.

The patient can be observed for some time by a doctor who assesses the degree of wound healing.

Traditional methods

At home, boils on the cheek are treated with folk remedies. You can resort to them after consulting a doctor. He will advise you on how to cure a boil on your cheek and tell you which methods are safe.

Traditional treatment with compresses and herbal tinctures helps. Popular remedies are baked onions, cakes made from flour and honey, cosmetic clay, and compresses made from plantain leaves.

An onion compress accelerates the maturation of a boil on the cheek. The onion head is baked in the oven until soft, cut in half and applied to the sore spot for 4 hours, preferably overnight. The main thing is to use only cooled onions. Perform the procedure until the boil matures and the contents come out.
If a necrotic core remains in the wound, apply a compress of mashed or crushed fresh plantain leaves to the cheek.
Cosmetic clay and special mud compresses are considered effective. To do this, the powder, which is purchased at a cosmetics store or pharmacy, is diluted with boiled water and brought to a paste-like consistency. Apply the paste in a thick layer on the abscess, wait about 4 hours and carefully wash off the resulting crust with warm water. The procedure is repeated.
The affected area on the cheek is wiped with tinctures of calendula and chamomile. They dry and disinfect inflamed skin.
Wholemeal rye flour mixed with honey also fights the inflammatory process. Knead a stiff dough and apply it to the abscess in the form of a flat cake. A layer of gauze is attached on top and the honey dough compress is left overnight.

When the boil opens, the main thing is not to re-infect the wound. A sterile gauze bandage on the cheek, which must be changed regularly, will help protect the wound and speed up healing.

Physiotherapy

The attending physician, who decides how to treat a funurcle on the patient’s cheek, sometimes refers the patient to laser physiotherapy.

Laser therapy is a procedure that is successfully used to treat skin boils on the cheeks and gives positive results after 3-5 sessions. It has many advantages.

For example, it helps to quickly restore tissue after a boil has burst and accelerates the wound healing process.

The laser is used at any stage of the disease. A special device is used to irradiate the affected area of the cheek with a red or infrared laser either directly or at a short distance.

This method is painless, allows you to do without medications that have a detrimental effect on the liver, and avoid surgical intervention.

Features of child treatment

Parents, having noticed a boil on their child’s cheek, do not always know what to do. It is not recommended to treat your baby with folk remedies. He needs the help of a doctor who will take into account not only the external signs of inflammation, but will also prescribe a blood test, prescribe medications, and, if necessary, refer the child to a surgeon.

If the abscess is very painful, you can give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen. Make sure that the baby does not pick, scratch or touch the sore spot.

What not to do with a boil on the cheek

When the boil is on the cheek, the patient often tries to get rid of the painful abscess, which looks unsightly, on his own.

But squeezing out an abscess at home is prohibited. Complications can occur because the contents of an incorrectly removed formation will get on the skin and spread across the cheek. New ulcers will appear.

Often people, especially women, mask the appearance of chiria with foundation and a thick layer of powder. But cosmetics clog pores, provoke further inflammatory processes, and prevent wound healing.

The development of the disease occurs in different ways. Sometimes the patient is thirsty or has a high temperature, and the lymph nodes are enlarged. If the patient notices a deterioration in the condition, a boil that appears, regardless of location, should be shown to a doctor who will prescribe adequate treatment and prevent complications.

Possible complications

If the boil was removed incorrectly, the patient's condition may worsen. At home, it is difficult to thoroughly clean the wound from pus and necrotic masses. There is a risk of secondary infection, complications associated with the fact that dirt gets into the wound from “bare” hands that no one has disinfected.

The contents of the removed abscess contain the causative agent of pustular skin diseases - the dangerous bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. If it gets on healthy skin, another part of the cheek will become infected.

How to prevent boils from appearing

The reason for the appearance of boils is pollution and microdamage to the skin. We are talking not only about scratches and microcracks of the epidermis.

It is easy to injure the skin on your face if you do not follow simple care rules that correspond to its type. For example, if the skin on your face is dry and flaky, scrubs and tightening masks are strictly contraindicated.

Following simple rules will help prevent purulent skin lesions on the cheeks and other places on the face.

When washing, never rub the skin, do not squeeze out comedones and pimples at home. It is careless handling of the face that leads to the formation of disgusting, painful ulcers.

To prevent the formation of boils, you should:

treat microtraumas with antiseptics in a timely manner;
use cosmetics recommended for a specific skin type;
take vitamin complexes;
spend more time in the fresh air, have active and quality rest;
use cosmetics, for example, a special cream that protects the skin from frost or exposure to direct sunlight.

Source: https://SkinPerfect.ru/furunkul/na-shheke