What is this - a carbuncle? Causes and algorithm for help with purulent skin infection

A carbuncle is a purulent necrotic inflammation of the epidermis or subcutaneous tissue. The disease affects hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and its causative agent is considered to be a staphylococcus infection. People not involved in medicine may confuse this problem with an abscess or boil.

Carbuncle - causes

Inflammation begins with an abscess, which is bordered by severe redness of the skin. The spread of infection and intoxication of the body are the main dangers of a disease like carbuncle; the causes of its occurrence can be different. They are connected:

• with disruption of internal organs (liver or kidneys) and the immune system;
• with vitamin deficiency;
• with alcohol abuse, smoking, spicy foods;
• overweight;
• prolonged depression;
• with diseases of the biliary tract and intestinal tract.

Carbuncle can be caused by:

• streptococcus;
• coli;
• Proteus bacteria;
• enterococci and so on.

Another purulent inflammation appears after:

• squeezing pimples;
• insect bite;
• poor hygiene;
• severe skin contamination, etc.

Carbuncle on the face treatment – ​​Waiting for the stork

A carbuncle is an inflammation of the skin that occurs with damage to the surface layer of the epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

What it is?

A carbuncle is an acute purulent inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, characterized by necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as the formation of a general infiltrate. As a rule, a person develops a single carbuncle, but there are cases where multiple foci of inflammation appear.

The causes of the disease are similar to the causes of boils. First of all, this is:

• exhaustion of the body, lack of vitamins;
• metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes);
• suffered serious illnesses that undermined the immune system;
• high activity of viruses (staphylococcus aureus or streptococcal infection).

Source: https://JduAista.ru/karbunkul-na-lice-lechenie/

Carbuncle - symptoms

The disease begins with the appearance of dense internal nodules, which gradually merge together and form a spherical shape. Its size can exceed the palm of a baby. The carbuncle becomes purple in color, becomes hot, and the skin around it swells greatly. The process affects the deep layers of tissue and causes:

• blue discoloration of the epidermis;
• pain;
• severe itching;
• unaesthetic formations.

If a person has anthrax carbuncle, the ulcers will affect all areas of the skin that are not covered by clothing. Its distinguishing features are the following symptoms:

• a small spot grows quickly and turns into a dark purple vesicle that bursts after the formation of an ulcer;
• black necrosis forms in the center of the ulcer, which is accompanied by swelling and inflammation;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes without suppuration and pain;
• the necrosis zone is accompanied by a burning sensation.

What does a carbuncle look like?

Many people are interested in questions about the carbuncle itself, photos, what the inflamed area looks like and what to do with it. About a week after the onset of the disease, the lesion swells greatly and becomes more painful. On the 12th day, white pustules similar to a plug will appear. After opening, a necrotic mass with pus of different colors and an admixture of blood is released. Next, ulcers with torn edges and a gray bottom form.

The surface of necrosis resembles a sieve in its shape, and then it can turn black. Dead particles of the epidermis penetrate deep into the internal cells of the body and reach its muscle layer. Over time, the cavity in the skin will be filled with granulation tissue, and a rough scar will appear at the site of the ulcer, which firmly “solders” the surrounding tissue together.

Carbuncle - causes, symptoms, photos and treatment of carbuncle

Carbuncle is an acute inflammatory purulent-necrotic process in the skin, which involves several hair follicles, sebaceous glands and the surrounding subcutaneous tissue, characterized by the formation of extensive ulcers.

The name of the disease comes from the Latin word “Carbunculus”, which means coal.

Among other names of the carbuncle, one can distinguish - fireweed, uglevik.

The most common cause of carbuncle is infection of the skin follicles with staphylococcal infection (bacteria), which, against the background of weakened immunity, causes a number of skin diseases - folliculitis, boils, carbuncles and others.

The main locations of the carbuncle are the face, back of the neck, back and buttocks.

According to statistics, carbuncles are much more common in men than in women. In addition, about half of all cases of this purulent-necrotic formation occur in the summer.

Development of the carbuncle

Carbuncle stage 1 (8-12 days). It is characterized by the appearance under the skin layer of three or more dense nodules, which within a few days merge into one compaction (infiltrate), which can reach 4-6 cm in diameter. This seal is painful, it looks like a hemispherical elevation with a slight cyanosis in the center, and redness at the edges.

Carbuncle stage 2 (13-20 days). It is characterized by the formation of several pustules (pustules) in the area of ​​infiltration, the surface of which begins to open, and through them purulent and necrotic yellow-green formations emerge, often mixed with a small amount of blood. The general appearance of the carbuncle resembles a sieve of pustules.

Carbuncle stage 3 (20-32 days). It is characterized by necrosis of pustules and tissues surrounding the pustules, after rejection of which an extensive and deep ulcer is formed, down to the muscle tissue. Next, the ulcer is filled with granulations, after which a deep and rough scar is usually formed.

A characteristic feature of the carbuncle is its rapid development. The above periods are taken on average, therefore, under various unfavorable factors, all three stages of the “charcoal disease” can fly by twice as fast, for example, with concomitant infectious diseases.

Another feature of the carbuncle is that its formation begins only in the hair follicle and sebaceous gland, i.e. For an abscess to appear, a pocket is needed where the infection could settle for further reproduction.

Carbuncle - causes

The main cause of carbuncle is the penetration of pyogenic microbes, in particular, Staphylococcus aureus and other types of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, non-clostridial anaerobes, Proteus and others under the top layer of the skin.

The following factors can contribute to infection getting under the skin:

• Exogenous – violation of the integrity of the skin (friction of clothing, wounds, abrasions, cuts, scratching, squeezing pimples), increased environmental pollution, failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
• Endogenous - internal infections, increased sebum secretion, increased oily skin.

In addition, local or general weakening of the body also plays a large role in the development of carbuncle.

The reason for the decrease in the body’s protective functions can be:

• Hypothermia of the body;
• Physical exhaustion of the body;
• Constant stress;
• Insufficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body (hypovitaminosis, vitamin deficiency);
• Various diseases that weaken the immune system - acute respiratory infections, diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, metabolic disorders, obesity, malignant diseases;
• Diseases of the liver, kidneys and digestive organs;
• Alcohol abuse, smoking, uncontrolled use of certain medications.

Local symptoms of carbuncle

A subcutaneous dense painful compaction, which on the surface of the skin has a spherical elevation, with cyanosis in the middle and redness around it, with several pustules, which, as they mature and open, secrete pus and necrotic formations of a yellowish-green color mixed with blood. At the site of tissue death, a deep ulcer appears, which is then filled with granulation tissue and scarred.

Complications of carbuncle

Complications of carbuncle can be:

Types of carbuncle

The carbuncle is classified as follows:

By form:

A simple carbuncle is a classic representation of a carbuncle, which is caused by staphylococci and other pyogenic microbes.

Plague carbuncle - the cause of the disease is infection with the plague bacillus (lat. Yersinia pestis), which leads to plague.

Anthrax carbuncle (carbuncle anthracicus) - the cause of the disease is the causative agent of anthrax - the Anthracis bacillus (Bacillus anthracis).

Anthrax carbuncle is characterized by the absence of pain at the site of infiltration, severe itching, red swelling of the compaction, after which a black necrotic lesion with surrounding rashes is formed on the surface of the skin, as well as the absence of rotting processes. After opening the abscess, a dark red scab appears in its place

Emphysematous carbuncle (lat. gangraena emphysematosa) - occurs only in animals, mainly cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats. Humans are not susceptible to this form of the disease. The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Clostridium chauvoei.

It is characterized by rapid development (up to 72 hours) and almost always the death of the animal.

It is accompanied by the animal’s refusal to eat, weakness, characteristic swelling, elevated body temperature, as well as an initially hot and painful infiltrate, which then becomes painless and cold.

By localization:

• On the face, especially on the nasolabial fold and cheeks;
• On the neck (mainly on the back side);
• On the back;
• On the lower back;
• On the limbs;
• On the buttocks.

Diagnosis of carbuncle

Diagnosis of carbuncle includes:

Carbuncle - treatment

How to treat carbuncle? Treatment for carbuncle depends on the stage of its development. Moreover, the sooner you start treatment, the easier it is likely to be.

Treatment of carbuncle at the initial stage (maturation stage)

As soon as a dense infiltrate appears on the skin, therapy includes:

1.1. The use of ultraviolet irradiation of the site of inflammation;

1.2. Injection of the skin around the perimeter of the infiltrate (compaction) with antibacterial drugs with the addition of novocaine. Antibacterial blockades will prevent the infection from spreading beyond the focus of sedimentation and the inflammatory “pocket,” and Novocain will relieve pain.

1.3. The site of inflammation is treated with antiseptic solutions (for example, alcohol), after which a bandage based on syntomycin (“Syntomycin Liniment”), streptomycin or ichthyol ointment is applied to it. Syntomycin - destroys infection, relieves inflammation, relieves pain and speeds up recovery.

1.4. To relieve pain, analgesics are used - Paracetamol, Nurofen, Diclofenac, Nimesil, Ketanov.

1.5. With reduced immunity, oral antibiotics are indicated. Typically, the doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs of the ampicillin (“Ampicillin”) and aminoglycoside (“Gentamicin”, “Amikacin”) series.

Timely above measures contribute to the reverse development of the inflammatory process, resorption of the infiltrate and the absence of visible traces of the carbuncle.

Treatment of carbuncle in the presence of purulent contents

2.1. Antibacterial blockades are made with the addition of novocaine.

2.2. For faster ripening, as well as for the opening of the carbuncle to occur independently, it is exposed to heat.

2.3.

In the presence of reduced immunity, antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs are used - amoxicillins ("Amoxicillin"), cephalosporins ("Cefalexin", "Ceftriaxone", "Cefepime"), sulfonamides ("Streptotsid", "Sulfazin"), penicillins ("Dicloxacillin"), macrolides (Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin), tetracyclines (Minocycline), lincosamides (Clindamycin), fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin) and others.

The choice of antibiotic is made mainly on the basis of the resistance of the active substance of the drug to the causative agent of the carbuncle, as well as the presence of contraindications.

2.4. Daily application of dressings based on various ointments with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity to the inflamed skin treated with 70% ethyl alcohol - syntomycin, streptomycin, methyluracil, Vishnevsky.

2.5. In case of spontaneous opening of the carbuncle, the site of inflammation is sanitized with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) or an alcohol solution and bandages are applied based on syntomycin ointment, Levomekol.

3. Treatment of carbuncle in the presence of necrotic formations (surgery)

Indications for surgical treatment (opening of the carbuncle) are:

• the presence of a necrotic focus;
• severe intoxication of the patient;
• localization of the carbuncle on the face;
• large carbuncle size.

The procedure for surgical treatment and further procedures:

3.1. Under local anesthesia, an incision is made into the carbuncle and all dead tissue and purulent contents are removed from it.

3.2. The opened cavity is washed with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), after which a drainage is installed in it - a tampon saturated with a hypertonic solution of sodium chloride and proteolytic enzymes.

3.3. Every day, until healing, the carbuncle cavity is sanitized twice with antiseptic drugs or ethyl alcohol (70%) and the bandages are changed. Levomekol, Vishnevsky Ointment, and synthomycin emulsion have good wound-healing properties.

3.4. Simultaneously with surgical treatment, conservative therapy is used, including internal antibiotics.

Other treatments for carbuncle

Physiotherapeutic procedures are used at the maturation stage and after surgical treatment. Aimed at tissue regeneration and rapid recovery of the patient. Physiotherapy methods include ultraviolet irradiation (UVR), UHF therapy, and to increase the body's defenses, UV irradiation of blood and VLO blood (intravenous laser irradiation) are used.

Source: https://medicina.dobro-est.com/karbunkul-prichinyi-simptomyi-foto-i-lechenie-karbunkula.html

Carbuncle - treatment at home

Treatment of a carbuncle in the infiltration stage can be carried out independently at home, but after visiting a doctor and his recommendations. If the disease proceeds without deterioration, the patient is prescribed a general therapeutic course of medications:

• antibiotics;
• antibacterial drugs (Biseptol, Furagin);
• medications with analgesic (Analgin, No-spa) and anti-inflammatory effects (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol).

For complications of inflammation such as carbuncle, treatment includes:

• antiplatelet agents that prevent blood cells from uniting into blood clots (Pentoxifylline, Trental);
• UV irradiation;
• Preparations for removing staphylococcal toxins (Zorex, Polysorb);
• vitamin complex.

During the treatment of carbuncle, the surface of the inflamed skin is treated:

• disinfectant (ethyl alcohol);
• injected with antibiotics;
• use special external agents (creams and ointments).

Treatment of carbuncle with antibiotics

Answering the question about which antibiotics should be used in the treatment of carbuncle, it should be said that you need to choose combination drugs. The main indicator for their use is considered to be reduced immunity, and larger doses are recommended. The most popular medications are:

• Diclosacillin - take it for up to 10 days, 4 tablets per day;
• Cephalexin - the course is the same;
• Amoxicillin – the drug should be taken every 8 hours for a week;
• Azithromycin - take 1 tablet per day for about 7 days;
• Vancomycin is a drug prescribed for severe cases and administered intravenously.

What is a carbuncle

When an abscess begins to form on a large area of ​​skin, and it is already clear that this is not an ordinary boil, questions arise: what could it be and what is it connected with? Extensive inflammatory skin diseases, accompanied by the formation of purulent cavities, are complicated variants of a common boil. One of these pathologies is a carbuncle or, as it is popularly called, a carbuncle - for the dark color of the necrotic masses.

A carbuncle develops from a small infiltrate, very similar to an ordinary boil. But this type of pathological focus increases in size faster. Its growth is accompanied by tearing pains. It is impossible to touch the inflamed area. During the process of maturation, the skin over the carbuncle becomes thinner and acquires a dark purple color. After some time, holes appear in it, through which pus pours out. The pain subsides, but inflammation remains until the wound is completely cleared of dead tissue.

Carbuncle - treatment, ointment

During therapy, it is important to know which effective ointment for carbuncle will help alleviate the course of the disease. It is applied to the affected areas of the skin until complete healing. The drugs should stimulate the rejection of dead and non-viable cells. The best means are:

• Malavit;
• Baneocin;
• Vinylin;
• Levomekol;
• Vishnevsky ointment;
• Methyluracil, etc.

Carbuncle - folk remedies

You can self-medicate at home when the disease is mild and the affected area does not cause severe pain. A carbuncle on the face can cause a lot of inconvenience, so to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation, various folk remedies are used:

1. Pour boiling water over the leaves of mallow, sweet clover and chamomile flowers and let it brew for 15-20 minutes. After this, wrap the medicinal herb in gauze and apply to the carbuncle for half an hour.
2. A garlic compress will help stop the developing carbuncle - the treatment will speed up. Pass the garlic through a press, and then make a compress from the pulp, which should be kept for about an hour.
3. Fresh plantain or aloe leaves (optional) need to be chopped and wrapped in gauze. Apply the compress to the affected area for several hours.
4. Add a tablespoon of salt to 1 liter of warm water. Soak a bandage in the solution and apply it to the affected area.

Carbuncle - what is it, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

A carbuncle is an acute inflammation of several nearby hair follicles. The name comes from the Latin carbunculus, which means coal. Characterized by extensive skin necrosis. Moreover, the inflammatory process even extends to the subcutaneous tissue.

Inflammation is accompanied by purulent discharge of an unpleasant greenish-gray color. The skin over the source of inflammation swells and acquires a bluish-purple tint. The disease resolves against the background of constant bursting pain in the affected area. Nausea and vomiting may occur, as well as increased body temperature (up to 40 degrees) and even a transition to an unconscious state.

That is, a carbuncle is a rather complex inflammation.

What is a carbuncle

For reference. A carbuncle is a conglomerate of boils interconnected by a common purulent-inflammatory infiltrate.

Due to inflammation of a large number of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, an increase in the inflammatory infiltrate occurs not only due to peripheral growth, but also due to tissue damage in depth (muscles, fascia, bones are damaged).

An abscess with a carbuncle is always accompanied by the formation of an extensive necrotic focus. After opening the carbuncle and draining the purulent-necrotic contents, a deep ulcer is exposed, in most cases reaching the muscles.

The progression of the inflammatory process during carbuncle is also accompanied by the appearance of multiple blood clots in the vessels near the source of the infectious process. Due to this, the carbuncle leads to severe circulatory impairment in the area of ​​inflammation and is often accompanied by massive necrotic damage to soft tissues.

Attention. The carbuncle is characterized by rapid progression of the infectious process, the development of severe intoxication, as well as a tendency to a malignant course (inflammation of the meninges, septic complications).

ICD10 carbuncle code is L02.

Classification of carbuncles

Carbuncles are usually single. Multiple carbuncles are extremely rare.

Carbuncles are distinguished by location:

• faces (lips, corner of mouth, cheeks);
• the back of the neck (neck carbuncle is one of the most common forms of the disease);
• lower back;
• interscapular and scapular areas;
• backs;
• buttocks

Carbuncles of other localizations are rare.

For reference. Kidney carbuncle, in the vast majority of cases, develops as a complication of pyelonephritis and is accompanied by the formation of a purulent-necrotic infiltrate in the kidney tissue. This type of disease is quickly complicated by sepsis.

The development of the carbuncle is accompanied by the formation of a massive inflammatory infiltrate. The largest infiltrates develop with carbuncles of the gluteal region, due to the involvement of a large amount of subcutaneous fat in the infectious process.

Unlike boils, in which inflammation covers only one hair follicle, with carbuncles the infiltrate includes a large number of inflamed hair follicles (a conglomerate of boils) and sebaceous glands.

For reference. Due to the involvement of a large volume of tissue in inflammation, vascular thrombosis develops and a massive disruption of microcirculation occurs in the area of ​​infiltration.

The formation of necrosis contributes to the further merging of the conglomerate of boils into a single dead infiltrate. The purulent-necrotic inflammatory process can spread to muscles, fascia, periosteum and bone (in severe cases).

How do paratyphoid fever differ from typhoid fever?

Volumetric purulent infiltrates form around necrotic foci. Subsequently, purulent melting of the affected tissues occurs and their gradual rejection.

Pus is released through multiple holes on the surface of the infiltrate. After complete removal of the necrotic rods and purulent contents, a deep ulcer is exposed, which is subsequently filled with granulation tissue.

Attention. After the ulcer heals, a rough, massive hypotrophic scar remains.

Just like with a boil, at the initial stage of carbuncle formation, a dense inflammatory nodule appears, which quickly increases in size. By the fourth day of illness, the size of the infiltrate can reach fifty to ten centimeters.

The formation of a pustule (abscess) begins towards the end of the first day and is accompanied by the appearance of severe pain in the area of ​​infiltration. The pain is throbbing, tearing and constant. Increased pain occurs with palpation of the carbuncle.

The skin in the area of ​​infiltration acquires a purplish-bluish tint. Severe swelling and a rim of hyperemia also appear.

For reference. The formation of pustules is accompanied by the appearance of multiple purulent foci (heads, plugs) at the top of the inflammatory infiltrate, due to which the infiltrate becomes like a sieve. Due to this, after opening the abscesses, pus, tissue scraps and necrotic plugs are released from the infiltrate as if from a sieve.

The lesion becomes slate-black (due to deep necrosis). In addition to pus, blood clots may be released from the holes.

After this, a deep ulcer with torn edges and an uneven bottom is formed. The ulcer may take up to four weeks to heal.

The development of a carbuncle is always accompanied by a sharp deterioration in the patient’s well-being. There is an increase in body temperature up to forty degrees, fever, myalgia and arthralgia, nausea, loss of appetite, tachycardia. The development of lymphangitis and lymphadenitis is also characteristic, and thrombophlebitis often develops.

For reference. Carbuncles occur most severely on the face (upper lip or corner of the mouth).

Without timely treatment, sepsis develops.

Malignant anthrax carbuncle

Anthrax (anthrax) is a particularly dangerous acute infectious disease that occurs in the form of a benign skin lesion or in a severe, generalized form.

The causative agent of the disease is the anthrax bacterium (Bacillus anthraxis). The natural reservoir of the pathogen is the soil (the pathogen can persist in it for a long time).

The source of infection for humans are cows, bulls, sheep, etc. In rare cases, anthrax infection can be associated with hares, arctic foxes, etc.

Attention. Infection with bacilli occurs during the dressing of skins of infected animals, cutting meat, caring for animals (the pathogen can be excreted in urine and feces), etc.

It is also possible to become infected by inhaling infected dust particles or eating contaminated meat. A rare mechanism of infection is vector-borne transmission associated with the bites of horse flies or burner flies.

Anthrax carbuncle most often occurs in veterinarians, employees of the agricultural industry, and people involved in animal husbandry or tanning.

For reference. After bacteria enter the body, damage to the vascular endothelium develops, vascular permeability is disrupted, severe microcirculatory disorders develop, hemorrhagic-serous infiltrates, hemorrhages, and severe edema develop.

With a generalized course, the following appears:

• septicemia,
• sepsis,
• infectious-toxic shock,
• thrombohemorrhagic syndrome,
• multiple organ failure.

In the localized cutaneous form, after the end of the incubation period (from two to fourteen days), a reddish-blue spot resembling an insect bite appears at the site of the anthrax bacilli.

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Within 1-2 hours, a reddish-copper papule forms, which within 24 hours turns into a vesicle filled with hemorrhagic-serous fluid. At this stage of the disease, patients are bothered by burning and itching.

Subsequently, after opening the blisters, ulcerative-erosive surfaces are formed, covered with black scabs. New blisters form around the scabs. After this, the formation of a classic anthrax carbuncle occurs.

A pronounced jelly-like edema develops, the skin around the infiltrate becomes pale, and pain sensitivity at the site of inflammation decreases due to damage to the nerve endings. There is also an increase in regional lymph nodes and the development of lymphangitis.

Attention. When a malignant carbuncle appears on the neck, against the background of severe swelling, asphyxia (suffocation) is possible.

After the vesicles rupture, extensive necrotic areas form. It may take ten to thirty days for the scabs to completely fall off.

The patients' well-being is impaired. High body temperature, fever, headaches, weakness, etc. are noted.

Without timely treatment, the mortality rate reaches twenty percent. With timely antibiotic therapy, the mortality rate is 2-3%.

The following drugs are used to treat anthrax carbuncle:

• ampicillin,
• doxycycline,
• rifampicin,
• ciprofloxacin,
• gentamicin,
• amikacin,
• ofloxacin,
• pefloxacin,
• benzylpenicillin.

Carbuncle removal

If the inflammatory process has reached the stage of necrosis, then you will definitely need to see a doctor. Surgical treatment of carbuncle involves a small operation performed under local anesthesia.

1. The affected area is opened crosswise, taking into account all layers of tissue soaked in pus and streaks with dead cells. In this case, general intoxication is relieved, metabolism is restored, and the wound heals faster.
2. The process ends with the introduction of drainage tampons, which are impregnated with proteolytic enzymes and a hypertonic solution. This is done to drain the purulent masses and ensure the final death of necrosis.

Dressings are carried out in the clinic 2 times a day. After the wound begins to heal, it is treated with antiseptic and emollient agents. Ointments help dissolve scar tissue (Zeraderm, Kelofibrase). Silicone patches are also applied to the lesion to speed up healing. When a facial carbuncle is detected in a timely manner, treatment can only be general, without surgical intervention.

Carbuncle: photos, causes, treatment. How is it different from a boil?

A carbuncle is an inflammation of the skin that occurs with damage to the surface layer of the epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

What kind of disease is this?

This formation received its name from the Greek word “ Carbo ”, which means black coal.

The healers of those times, having seen what a pimple looked like, immediately “christened” it that way because of the accumulation of black purulent-necrotic exudate at the site of its formation.

In practice, it is difficult for people without medical education to distinguish between a boil and a carbuncle , the difference being the larger area of ​​infiltration and the depth of the lesion.

In simple terms, a carbuncle is a cluster of boils, which over time form a single affected area with signs of suppuration.

But individual furunculous formations can open spontaneously, but the focus of suppuration in the carbuncle cannot break out without surgical intervention.

Carbuncle occurs most often in teenage boys and young men (2 times more often than in girls, young women and women), apparently this is due to excessive load on their sweat and sebaceous glands and the active production of sex hormones in the body.

Another feature of this pathology is that more than 50% of all diagnosed cases occur in the hot summer period.

Carbuncles usually appear on the face and neck, on the back, in the forearms, on the arms or legs, and on the buttocks. As a rule, these formations are single, but sometimes several appear at once.

How to treat a carbuncle is determined by the surgeon, since this is a serious infection that requires the attention of medical workers and self-medication can lead to the development of serious complications (abscesses, cellulitis, sepsis).

ICD-10 code

Carbuncle belongs to the group of infectious skin diseases with the code - L00-L08 .

It includes:

• carbuncle on the skin ( L02 );
• carbuncle in the facial area ( L02.0 );
• carbuncle of the neck ( L02.1 ) and body ( L02.0 );
• carbuncle of the buttocks ( L02.3 );
• carbuncle of arms and legs (L02.4);
• carbuncle of other ( L02.8 ) or unrefined localization ( L02.9 ).

Causes

The disease usually develops with a combination of external and internal factors and a decrease in the body's defenses.

The reasons for the appearance of a carbuncle include:

1. Active reproduction of pathogenic organisms on human skin.
2. Violation of the integrity of the epidermis (wounds, scratches, splinters, insect bites, calluses, scratches, bruises, abrasions).
3. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
4. Disruption of the sebaceous glands.
5. Poor facial and body hygiene.
6. Endocrine pathologies (disorders of the thyroid or parathyroid glands, adrenal glands) and metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity).
7. Immunodeficiencies and hypovitaminosis.
8. Frequent infectious diseases (ARVI, influenza, parainfluenza, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis).
9. Serious chronic pathologies (arthritis, myocarditis, hepatitis).
10. Poor nutrition and inactive lifestyle.
11. Stress and psycho-emotional stress.

Kinds

1. A traditional carbuncle forms on the face, body, limbs and torso and develops according to classical canons in several stages.
2. Kidney carbuncle .
   Occurs as a complication after suffering pyelonephritis. Its manifestation is similar to inflammatory kidney diseases and is sometimes difficult to distinguish from them. Symptoms of the disease include fever, intoxication and pain in the lumbar region. Differential diagnosis using X-ray and ultrasound methods helps to identify pathology.
3. Emphysematous carbuncle .
   It does not develop in humans; it affects cattle. When infected with a pathogenic microorganism, many swellings are found on the body of animals, they quickly weaken and die from cardiac and respiratory failure.
4. Anthrax carbuncle .
   It is formed when a person is infected with the anthrax bacillus, has a severe course and is extremely contagious to others.

Symptoms

Doctors define the disease as a dermatological and surgical disease caused by staphylococci and streptococci and distinguish several stages in its development:

1. Infiltration (its duration is 1-2 weeks). It begins from the moment microorganisms enter the surface layers of the epidermis and the base of the hair follicle, then an inflammatory process begins in the area of ​​infection with reactions of redness and swelling of the skin, which rapidly spreads and covers already healthy areas of the skin.
   Photo of the first stage

   At the same time, the blood in the capillaries becomes very viscous and therefore blood clots appear, so the site of inflammation quickly darkens or turns black.

2. Suppuration (lasts 10-20 days). It begins with the formation of purulent-necrotic masses in the center of the carbuncle, and in some places holes appear from which purulent exudate flows.
   Stage of suppuration

   At this stage, the lesion resembles a large ulcer that penetrates the soft tissues right down to the bones; they quickly become saturated with purulent fluid and die, which is why large areas of necrosis are visible around the base of the carbuncle.

One of the external signs of how a carbuncle differs from a boil is that the stage of spontaneous release of pus to the surface does not exist in the first, but in the second it does, therefore, in case of a carbuncle, in order to completely cleanse its cavity, it is recommended to surgically open it and aseptically clean the resulting cavity . Conservative therapy is usually used at the first stage of development of this pathological formation.

General damage to the body during carbuncle includes: fever, intoxication, general weakening of the body.

Treatment

Drug therapy is used at the infiltration stage and can help avoid further development of the disease, suppuration and tissue necrosis.

Your doctor will recommend how to treat carbuncle at home quickly and effectively.

Usually, surgeons or dermatologists prescribe a course of antibiotics to which staphylococci are sensitive (Ampiox, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, Doxycycline, etc.

), ointments or emulsions (synthomycin, streptomycin, levomikol) are prescribed locally for outpatient use.

Additionally, the carbuncle is pricked with antibacterial agents and its surface is treated with antiseptics (usually a 70% alcohol solution), but this is already in a clinic setting.

If in a timely manner , it is possible to initiate a reverse mechanism for the regression of the carbuncle and achieve resorption of the infiltrate and complete restoration of the skin and its functions.

In the stage of suppuration, the main guarantee of recovery is surgical opening of the abscess and removal of the pathological contents from it.

Carbuncle: photo

After the operation, the resulting cavity is tamponed using proteolytic enzymes and a hypertonic NaCl solution or, if necessary, drained, and a sterile dressing is applied on top, which is changed daily.

With a large area and depth of damage, the wound surface heals with the formation of scar tissue.

For their regeneration, after opening the carbuncle and fusion of the wound edges, physiotherapeutic methods are used (UVR, UHF, ultraviolet or intravenous laser irradiation of blood), and long-term intake of vitamins and mineral complexes is prescribed.

Indications for hospitalization are severe symptoms of intoxication (dehydration, high temperature, severe weakness), localization of the carbuncle on the face or head, the presence of underlying diseases (systemic, autoimmune, diabetes mellitus, anemia, malignant neoplasms, immunodeficiencies).

carbuncle removal surgery

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Source: https://skinbolit.ru/karbunkul-foto-prichiny-lechenie-chem-otlichaetsya-ot-furunkula/

Carbuncle - complications

If a disease such as carbuncle occurs, treatment must be carried out immediately. A negligent attitude towards inflammation often has dire consequences. In advanced cases, a person can:

• feel nauseous;
• tear;
• his temperature rises;
• there is loss of consciousness;

If intoxication of the body occurs, the pus enters the bones, vessels and veins of the body, as well as the brain. In these cases, patients may develop diseases that lead to death:

• soft tissue abscess;
• phlebitis;
• lymphadenitis;
• sepsis;
• osteomyelitis;
• meningitis and so on.

When a carbuncle occurs in the nose, treatment at home is only possible in the initial stages. To do this you need:

• make lotions from decoctions of medicinal herbs;
• take a course of medications;
• treat inflammation with antiseptic drugs.

Causes of carbuncles

The causative agent of the infection in most cases is Staphylococcus aureus, less commonly streptococci, enterococci or Escherichia coli. There are factors that create favorable conditions for infection. Among them:

• increased sweating;
• high secretion of sebaceous glands;
• skin contamination with dust particles of cement, sand, lime, coal.

Infection occurs when the skin has abrasions, microcracks and wounds. Its acute onset can be stimulated by a decrease in immunity, a violation of metabolic processes, the occurrence of which is caused by diabetes mellitus, exhaustion, obesity or weakening of the body due to the course of a serious illness.

Symptoms of inflammation

A carbuncle is usually a single pathogenic element on the body. It can be localized on the back of the neck. Quite often, large painful lumps are found on the face. Painful bumps can appear between the shoulder blades, as well as on the buttocks and lumbar region. Much less often, carbuncles form on the extremities.

The entire process of carbuncle development can be divided into several stages:

• At first, the pathological neoplasm looks like dense tubercles-infiltrates, which are individual hair follicles. Inflammation is accompanied by painful sensations.
• As the disease develops, the tubercles begin to merge and form a complete hemispherical infiltrate, raised above the level of the surrounding skin. At this stage, the carbuncle can become as large as a child's hand. The skin in the central part turns bluish and feels hot to the touch. As the carbuncle matures, there is a gradual increase in skin tension. The pain increases. This stage can last from 1 week to 12 days. It is also characterized by an increase in body temperature and the occurrence of various symptoms of intoxication, in particular weakness, aches and headaches. There may be a decrease in appetite, and in severe cases, even nausea and vomiting.
• The maturation of the carbuncle ends with the formation of several pustules on its upper part. Afterwards they open, and pus comes out through the holes along with necrotic masses. The discharge is green in color and often contains blood. After some time, a deep ulcer remains at the site of the infiltrate, which can even reach the muscles. Suppuration and necrosis can last from 2 to 3 weeks, but subsequently the resulting skin defect gradually heals.

At the site of the carbuncle, an ugly and rough scar with a dense structure remains on the skin. Its tissues are tightly fused to those around it.