Surgery diseases >>>> What is a carbuncle?

What is a carbuncle?

A carbuncle is an acute purulent inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the area of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Unlike a furuncle, with a carbuncle, the inflammatory process quickly spreads to a group of hair follicles and sebaceous glands of nearby tissues, occupies a vast space (for example, the palm area) and forms a dense infiltrate, on the surface of which pustules are located (several abscesses). A distinctive feature of the carbuncle from other purulent - inflammatory diseases of the skin and subcutaneous fat layer (furuncle, abscess, phlegmon, panaritium) is a purulent course of the disease with carbuncle accompanied by necrosis of tissues involved in inflammation, and their subsequent rejection. In places where the dead tissue is rejected, deep ulcers are formed - funnels with overhanging sides. The wound takes on a dirty gray hue, which was once the reason for the name of this disease, derived from the word "carbo" - coal.

The causes of the carbuncle lie in the infection of subtle injuries of the skin with conditionally pathogenic microorganisms (various strains of staphylococcus). Often, the carbuncle is considered as a severe form of the course of staphylococcal pyoderma caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Small abrasions, abrasions on the skin, hair removal, acne, scratching, clogging of the ducts of the sebaceous glands, increased sweating create conditions for the penetration of carbuncle pathogens into the tissues, and a reduced resistance of the immune system, diabetes mellitus, increased secretion of the sebaceous glands, violation of body hygiene are prerequisites for development of the carbuncle. It is believed that a special role in the occurrence of carbuncle is played by disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

Carbuncle can occur at any age and at any time of the year, but the most favorable season for its occurrence is the summer period, when the skin is open to dust and other pollution, and sweating is increased. The most common areas of carbuncle development are the back, buttocks, perineum, lumbar region, neck, face.

Carbuncle signs:

The development of the carbuncle begins with inflammation of the hair follicle and the formation of an abscess with a pink border around the perimeter,
Gradually, the hyperemic skin around the abscess acquires a bluish tint,
As the inflammation develops, neighboring hair follicles are involved, and, merging into a single whole, form a bluish formation raised above the skin level,
With the maturation and breakthrough of abscesses, purulent - necrotic greenish contents are released,
The tissues under the abscesses are more and more involved in the inflammatory process and are gradually rejected, deepening the ulcer,
The process of carbuncle formation, rejection of necrotic tissues and healing can last up to a month or longer,
After the ulcer heals, a rough scar is formed,
As the purulent - inflammatory process develops, the general state of health changes towards its deterioration,
Painful sensations appear in the area of formation of the carbuncle, the temperature may rise, headache or symptoms of intoxication of the body (nausea, vomiting) may develop.

Carbuncle treatment is usually performed with surgery and under local anesthesia. The carbuncle is dissected to the entire depth of tissue damage, necrectomy of dead tissue particles is performed and the subsequent treatment of the wound with proteolytic enzymes, hypertonic sodium chloride solution and antiseptics. After the operation, daily dressings are performed, followed by the use of methyluracil ointment, Shostakovsky balm to accelerate the regeneration processes. If the development of the carbuncle is severe, then antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

You should not rely on traditional medicine in the treatment of carbuncle, since the process of suppuration and necrosis can take on extensive dimensions and, with a weakened body, lead to sepsis and even death.