Antibiotics for boils

It is difficult to imagine the treatment of furunculosis without the use of antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics for furuncles in most cases form the basis of treatment, as they inhibit the development of microbes in the foci of inflammation, relieve the inflammatory process, and promote the restoration of damaged tissues.

The list of antimicrobial drugs recommended for use in boils is quite extensive. By what principle are antibiotics selected for this disease? Which antibiotic is better for boils? Let's try to answer all the questions.

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Indications for the use of antibiotics for boils

In the case of an isolated, uncomplicated, single furuncle, the use of antibiotics is not considered mandatory. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed:

• for boils located in the facial area (with or without complications);
• for boils, where complications include inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood vessels;
• with abscess boils;
• in case of furunculosis (multiple appearance of boils).

Indications for the use of antibiotics are chronic furunculosis, isolated recurrent furuncles. Treatment with antibiotics can be supplemented with vitamin therapy, immunostimulating therapy, and specific treatment when predisposing causes of the disease are detected. Diet, physical therapy, and cosmetic procedures are often recommended.

Antibiotics for boils on the face

Furuncles on the face, in the vast majority, are subject to opening with subsequent drainage. If the process of formation of furuncles is chronic or abscessing, then the doctor can prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics, which will help prevent complications and promote rapid healing of the inflammatory focus.

Antibiotics for boils on the face can be prescribed even before the boil opens. After opening, the antibiotic can be revised taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms to antimicrobial drugs.

The most common ones that may be prescribed are:

• macrolide drugs (macropen, sumamed, erythromycin);
• penicillin series (ampicillin, amoxicillin, ampiox);
• cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefazolin);
• a number of aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, monomycin);
• tetracycline series (doxycycline, tetracycline).

External antimicrobial therapy for furunculosis in the facial area is rarely used, since ointments and lotions can soften the delicate skin of the face and promote the spread of infection.

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Antibiotic for nasal boil

Antibiotics for a nasal furuncle are prescribed after local treatment of the inflammatory focus with an antiseptic (alcohol solution, furacilin, salicylic alcohol). If the furuncle is located on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, then antibacterial ointments and creams are used. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used internally. Treatment with methicillin, erythromycin, ceporin, oleandomycin, metacycline and other drugs is practiced. Vitamin and mineral complexes, immunostimulants, external agents (for example, bactroban) are used as additional means. In uncomplicated cases, sulfonamides (sulfadimethoxine, norsulfazole, etc.) are used.

In the acute phase of the process, you can take antibiotics of the penicillin series, courses of drugs such as bicillin, ampicillin, since often other antibiotics do not have the expected effect.

It should be noted that antibiotics are not necessary for a single uncomplicated furuncle. Antibiotic therapy is considered appropriate only for multiple, complicated or recurrent furuncles, as well as for chronic furunculosis.

Antibiotics for boils in the groin

In the case of a widespread process of furuncles in the groin, oxacillin, methicillin (intramuscularly), erythromycin, and tetracycline are used. The treatment usually lasts at least a week. After 5 days, the course is repeated. In total, the treatment should consist of 2 or 3 courses, depending on the situation. Other antibiotics can also be used if the sensitivity of the pathogenic flora to antimicrobial drugs is known. Additionally, sulfadimethoxine, vitamin therapy, and immunostimulants are prescribed. In some cases, it is possible to use staphylococcal vaccine, staphylococcal anatoxin, antiphagin, antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin, and other drugs in combination with nonspecific immunostimulants.

Physiotherapy with antibiotics is often prescribed. Most often, this is phonophoresis of antibiotic ointment: neomycin, gentamicin, levomycetin ointment.

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Antibiotics for boils under the arm

Antibiotics for boils under the arm are prescribed depending on the stage of the inflammatory process (maturation, opening or healing).

For uncomplicated boils under the arm, systemic therapy is usually not practiced. Only external treatment is used:

• wiping with boric or salicylic alcohol solution (2%);
• lubrication with pure ichthyol;
• lubrication with a solution of antibiotic in dimexide.

After the wound has cleared, powders and ointments with antibiotics and sulfonamides are used.

If you have boils under your arm, you should not:

• apply compresses (both alcohol and antibiotic);
• squeeze out the boil, especially at the initial stage.

In some cases, it is necessary to resort to puncturing the abscess, suctioning out the abscess contents and introducing antibiotic solutions or staphylococcal bacteriophage into the cavity of the lesion.

Antibiotics for a boil in the ear

To treat a boil in the ear, antibiotic injections are used in most situations:

• penicillin series with antistaphylococcal activity;
• tetracycline series;
• macrolide antibiotics in combination with sulfonamides.

Antibiotics for a boil in the ear are necessary to avoid complications, because the inner surface of the ear is located quite close to vital areas of the brain.

For recurring boils, penicillin-type drugs (preferably semi-synthetic ones) are used, for example, benemycin or vibromycin.

In chronic ear furunculosis, the administration of staphylococcal vaccine, anatoxin, antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin, and in severe cases, antilymphocyte immunoglobulin is prescribed.

Antibiotics can also be used locally, as powders, ointments, or for physiotherapy procedures.

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Antibiotics for boils in children

Statistics say that more than 80% of children in our country take antibiotics without sufficient grounds. After all, antibiotics have a lot of side effects, which does not have the best effect on the child's health. In fact, antibiotics for boils in children are considered appropriate only in 5-10% of cases, and only when complications of boils appear.

When are antibiotics prescribed for boils in children:

• if there is a risk of spreading the infection (in such cases, the boil is injected with an antibiotic solution);
• if the child undergoes an operation to open a purulent focus (after the operation, general antibiotic therapy is prescribed);
• if the process is not limited to one furuncle, but extensive furunculosis develops (local and general antibiotic treatment is used);
• if the child tried to open an immature boil on his own (especially if it is located on the face or scalp).

The antibiotic is prescribed by a pediatrician individually, depending on the child’s age, weight, and stage of the disease.

What antibiotic for boils?

What antibiotics are most often used to treat boils:

• penicillin series – amoxiclav, ampicillin, amoxicillin – some of the first known antibiotics that are still successfully used today;
• cephalosporin series – ceftriaxone, cefazolin, cefotaxime, etc. – are often prescribed when penicillin series antibiotics are ineffective;
• gentamicin (aminoglycoside) – affects staphylococci resistant to penicillins. Not used during pregnancy and in pediatrics;
• Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the form of tablets and topical preparations;
• Levomycetin - acts on bacteria resistant to penicillins, streptomycin and sulfanilamide drugs. A very strong drug, so its use during pregnancy and in pediatrics is strongly discouraged. It has many side effects.

Antibiotic ointments for boils:

• gentamicin - available in a 15-80 g tube;
• tetracycline - 100 g tube;
• chloramphenicol - produced in the form of a thick liniment in a tube (25 and 30 g) or in a jar (25 or 60 g);
• Levomekol ointment is a combination of the antibiotic chloramphenicol and the restorative agent methyluracil;
• Syntomycin ointment is a drug similar in action to levomycetin. It is available in 25 g jars.

Method of administration and dosage

Penicillin antibiotics are taken as follows:

• ampicillin - orally 0.5 g 4-5 times a day, or intramuscular injections of 0.25-0.5 g per day. Duration of treatment is on average from 5 to 20 days;
• amoxicillin - orally 0.5 g three times a day;
• Amoxiclav – take 1 tablet (dissolved in water) 375 mg every 8 hours.

Cephalosporin antibiotics:

• cefazolin – from 0.5 to 1 g intramuscularly every 6-8 hours;
• ceftriaxone – from 0.5 to 1 g intramuscularly once a day. The duration of treatment is individual;
• cefuroxime - 750 mg every 8 hours;
• cefotaxime – 0.5-1 g every 12 hours.

For boils, tetracycline is used orally at 0.1-0.2 g up to 6 times a day, 30 minutes before or an hour after meals.

Antibiotic ointments are used to treat boils three times a day, or in the form of bandages (soak a gauze napkin in the ointment and apply it to the wound, then secure it with a bandage). The duration of treatment with ointments is from 1 to 2 weeks.

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Using Antibiotics for Boils During Pregnancy

Pregnant women undergo many changes in their bodies due to high hormone levels and a slight decrease in immunity. Therefore, the main focus in treating boils during pregnancy should be on strengthening the immune system. The use of systemic antibiotics for boils during pregnancy is not recommended.

In order to prevent the negative impact of antibiotics on the fetus, experts advise to carry out general strengthening treatment, adhere to a balanced diet, and consume a sufficient amount of vitamins. In addition, it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene and avoid hypothermia.

To get rid of boils, a pregnant woman can use traditional medicine recipes that do not pose a danger to the baby. It is allowed to use local antibacterial drugs: for example, Vishnevsky ointment, Levomekol, ointments with antibiotics.

When the first symptoms of furunculosis appear, a pregnant woman must consult a doctor. It is unacceptable to independently use antibiotics and other drugs that can harm the unborn child.

Contraindications to the use of antibiotics for boils

In addition to pregnancy and breastfeeding, contraindications to the use of antibiotics for boils include:

• tendency to allergies to antibiotics;
• the emergence of resistant forms of pathogens;
• bronchial asthma;
• active form of tuberculosis;
• diseases of the intestines and endocrine glands;
• severe liver disease;
• severe kidney disease with impaired excretory function;
• severe diseases of the heart and hematopoietic organs;
• leukopenia, fungal diseases.

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Side effects of antibiotics for boils

• Allergic manifestations (urticaria, edema, lung damage).
• Toxic liver damage (especially when taking tetracyclines or erythromycin).
• Negative impact on the hematopoietic system (especially when taking chloramphenicol or streptomycin).
• Digestive tract damage.
• General toxic effects (damage to the organs of hearing, vision, vestibular apparatus, kidneys).
• Disruption of the balance of microflora in the body (in the intestines, genitals, skin, etc.).

Side effects of antibiotics for boils are related to the fact that these drugs, in addition to pathogenic microorganisms, also destroy the beneficial microflora that inhabits the human body. After antibiotic therapy, the body begins to be actively populated by new bacteria, which are not always beneficial. As a result, the immune system is upset and undesirable side effects develop.

Overdose

An incorrectly calculated dose of an antibiotic or accidental ingestion of a large amount of the drug can lead to overdose symptoms. Overdose may manifest itself in the following symptoms:

• nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
• hyperkalemia and cardiac disorders;
• convulsions;
• anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, suppression of hematopoiesis processes;
• fungal infection, dysbacteriosis, thrush;
• allergic reactions (swelling, skin rashes, itching, etc.);
• pain in the joints, liver and kidney area.

If it is known for sure that the overdose occurred recently and the patient did not experience vomiting attacks, gastric lavage is prescribed. After this, the patient is given activated carbon in the amount of 2 tablets per 10 kg of weight. The patient should be observed for at least 12 hours after the overdose.

Hemodialysis is performed only when too high doses of antibiotics are used, as well as in cases of severe kidney and liver failure.

Interactions of antibiotics for boils with other drugs

Penicillin should not be taken with the following medications:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin - increases the risk of bleeding;
• aminoglycoside antibiotics - mutually inactivate each other;
• Estrogen-based contraceptives – the contraceptive effect is reduced;
• Sulfanilamide drugs - weaken the bactericidal effect of penicillin.

Cephalosporins should not be taken with alcohol.

Tetracycline drugs are not prescribed simultaneously:

• with antacids, magnesium-containing laxatives, calcium and iron preparations - these drugs impair the absorption of tetracyclines;
• with vitamin A – possible increase in intracranial pressure;
• with methoxyflurane - negative impact on the kidneys.

Local interactions of antibiotics for boils with other drugs are not described.

Storage conditions for antibiotics for boils

Absolutely all antibiotics that are used to treat boils (including ampoules and ointments) are recommended to be stored in dry, dark and cool places that are out of reach of children.

All medications have their expiration date, which in all cases must be indicated on the packaging or in the annotation to the drug. In no case should any antibacterial medication be used after the expiration date.

The shelf life of antibiotics is mostly from 3 to 5 years, provided that the storage conditions of antibiotics are met.

Antibiotics for boils can only be prescribed by a medical specialist during an individual consultation. In no case should you treat yourself with antibiotics, especially pregnant women and children. Only a doctor can decide on the advisability of using an antibiotic, as well as prescribe a dosage and treatment regimen for the drug.

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