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Furuncle under armpit

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
 
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Furuncle under the arm - this is an unpleasant problem, which can mar the most ordinary procedures. But a boil is not just a pimple or a rash, it's an inflammation that indicates an infection in the body. Let's take a closer look at what a boil, the reasons for its appearance, how to cure it and how to protect yourself from the appearance of a boil.

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Causes of the boil

The causes are infectious diseases that penetrate the hair follicle, which eventually leads to an inflammatory process that is characterized by swelling, redness in the lesion and cause severe soreness.

The main etiological factors are: 

  • Weakened immunity.
  • Unhealthy diet.
  • Microtrauma of the skin and pollution.
  • Metabolic disorders.
  • Increased sweating and sweating.

The appearance of a furuncle under the arm begins with the appearance on the skin of a small painful rash on the irritated red skin, in the center there is a purulent point. A purulent point is the contents of the boil. After the boil breaks through and the necrotic tissue is torn off, a scar appears in place of the furuncle. If the skin appears several sources of boils, the disease is called furunculosis. If purulent inflammation of the skin, subcutaneous fat and sebaceous glands that are located around the hair follicles take place, then all factors indicate the formation of the carbuncle.

Furuncle under the armpit is unpleasant, this is a disease that causes discomfort. With furuncle, the skin under the arm turns red, enlarges and swells up the lymph nodes. In addition, the delicate skin is exposed to constant effects. Furuncle is a purulent inflammation of the hair bulb, which is why furuncles do not appear on the soles and palms. The armpit area is the ideal place for the appearance of a boil.

It should be noted that the reason for the appearance of the boil often becomes non-compliance with basic rules of personal hygiene, hypothermia, increased sweating or prolonged exposure to heat.

If, in addition to visible inflammation and a purulent spot, red lines appear that go to the lymph nodes during the ripening of the boil, the patient feels severe pain, and the boil ripens too long. Only a doctor can prescribe the treatment of a boil.

trusted-source[4], [5], [6], [7]

Symptoms of the boil

It is difficult not to notice the signs, since the development of the boil is discomfort and fever. Please note that you can not open the furuncle yourself, as this can lead to serious complications. The most dangerous complication is furunculosis or the spread of purulent furuncles. This speaks of septicemia, that is, a severe form of blood poisoning.

  • The furuncle under the arm covers the entire hair follicle, which includes the sweat gland and connective tissue. During the emergence of the boil, collagen lesions appear, which are completely destroyed, as well as elastic fibers. 
  • The furuncle under the arm is subjected to constant deformation. This site is very sore, especially during the formation of the boil. Remember that the treatment of a furuncle is determined by the stage of its development.

When the appearance of the boil, it is very important to observe the rules of personal hygiene. The focus of infection should have a minimum of contact with clothing and anything that can irritate the skin. It is worth giving up antiseptics and deodorants. The lesion center, that is the place of furuncle formation, must be constantly treated with ointments and special solutions. In the most difficult cases of furunculosis necessarily surgical intervention.

trusted-source[8]

Where does it hurt?

Diagnostics of the boil

Diagnosis is a rather difficult process. When diagnosing a boil, it is necessary to differentiate it from hydradenitis, anthrax and deep trichophytosis.

  • Hydradenitis is a purulent inflammation of the apocrine glands. The disease does not have a stem, it forms in the axillary cavities, the region of the breast nipples, inguinal folds and in the anus.
  • Anthrax - the disease begins with papulo-vesicles, which gradually becomes covered with a black stupor. It is accompanied by violations of the general condition, sharp pains and infiltration of the hypodermis.
  • Trichophytia granuloma - appears on the head and on the beard. When diagnosing this disease, contact with animals or anamnesis is of great importance, which could lead to infection, as well as pain sensations with a purulent stem.

The main feature of furuncles under the arm is that they appear only in the hair growth areas. It is difficult to diagnose a furuncle, the first sign of furuncle appearance can be confused with simple irritation. The first sign of a furuncle is itching, puffiness, redness, swelling in the area of the hair follicle. After that, on a place of reddening there is an inflamed nodule that is very sore and has a crimson-red color. Puffiness constantly increases, and after a couple of days, the inflamed tissue acquires a greenish color, in this place the core of the furuncle is formed.

It should be noted that the furuncle causes headaches, weakness and malaise. After a couple of days, the core of the furuncle is rejected and a bleeding wound is formed in its place. Do not forget that you can not touch the boils, they can not be massaged and squeezed out. Remember, scars remain under the armpits under the arms.

One boil does not pose a particular danger to the body, but here several inflamed boils say serious health problems. Furuncles on the neck and face can cause chills and fever. If furuncles appear frequently and several times at a time, then it's about furunculosis, which can be cured only medically. If you do not get treatment in time, complications can be fatal, for example, blood poisoning.

trusted-source[9], [10], [11], [12]

Differential diagnosis

Furuncle under the arm is an inflamed cavity in the skin, which is filled with purulent contents. Furuncles come in various sizes, from small pimples to large purulent tumors. The peculiarity of furuncles is that the place of their localization must necessarily have a hairline or areas of the body where there is friction. Typically, this is the area of the chest, lower back, groin and underarms. Furuncle under the arm is much more dangerous than abscesses on other parts of the body. The furuncle under the arm must be differentiated from the purulent, prolonged inflammatory process of the sweat glands.

Hydradenitis or purulent inflammation of the sweat glands, that is, the furuncle is most dangerous in the area of the armpits, inguinal folds and anus. It is difficult to determine the furuncle yourself or trichophytosis, erythema nodosum or scrofuloderma.

Treatment of the boil

Treatment depends on the stage of development of the boil. At the first stages of the disease, ultraviolet irradiation is used, and at the stage of maturation, furuncle is chewed with novocaine and antibiotic solutions. The treatment of the boil under the arm should be immediate. Once you have a boil, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. The armpit is the place where the scars remain forever. To ensure that the boil quickly healed, it is necessary to carry out treatment with ichthyol compresses. This will speed up the process of ripening of the boil and it can soon be opened.

Due to the specific odor and a number of contraindications, the use of ichthyol is not always convenient. An excellent alternative is Ilon's ointment, which you can buy at pharmacies in your city. Ointment accelerates the process of ripening and opening of the boil, while simultaneously contributing to the mass destruction of pathogenic microflora and prevents re-inflammation. Ilon does not cause pathological processes under the skin, is well tolerated and has virtually no contraindications. A pleasant aroma and light green color make the application of ointment in the armpit comfortable and aesthetic. 

After the furuncle is opened, it is necessary to clean the purulent core with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. After removing pus, the body remains wound, which must be well disinfected, using an alcohol swab or hydrogen peroxide. After removing pus, for several days there is a recovery process. During this period, it is necessary to do compresses, since a relapse of the disease is possible. If during the treatment of a furuncle you decided to use non-traditional methods of medicine, that is, alternative treatment, then you need to know that such treatment allows you to quickly remove the abscess, but does not eliminate the cause of the disease.

In order to cure the boil for good and prevent such a disease as furunculosis, you need to see a doctor. It is the doctor who, after a full examination, will be able to prescribe a course of suitable antibiotic drugs. The method of antibiotic treatment is the most reliable for today. The treatment of the boil can be done almost painlessly, but in spite of this, it is easier to prevent the appearance of a furuncle. If you have a small wound or cut yourself while shaving under your arm, the skin should be immediately disinfected. Avoid hypothermia and overheating, take vitamins, as this will avoid many diseases.

How to treat a boil under a mouse?

First of all, it is worth remembering that the place where the boil has appeared can not be touched, massaged, and even more so try to give out an abscess. Never squeeze pimples and rashes, it can also trigger the spread of infection throughout the body. Furuncle under the arm is hydradenitis. If you have a boil, then you need to seek medical help, if this is not possible, then the treatment can be done at home.

To treat the boil under the arm, you will need Vishnevsky ointment or ichthyol ointment. Compresses and ointments should be done three times a day. This will allow the boil to dissolve faster, if you use the ointment in the first stages of development of the boil. If you use ointment at the stage of full development of the boil, then ointments will help the abscess to ripen and break faster.

Do not expect that the boil will dissolve itself, do not let it slide and do not start treating the disease.

Algorithm of therapy:

  • Treatment of a boil should be started by alternative means, as this allows you to accelerate the maturation of the boil and quickly draw pus.
  • Affected areas should be wiped with alcohol, zelenok or iodine.
  • Daily application of a warm compress will soften the skin, which will make the process of maturation of the boil less painful.
  • You can get rid of the boil with garlic. To do this, you will need a flap of linen, vegetable oil and garlic. Soak the cloth with oil and spread the chopped garlic. Make a compress and apply it to the boil twice a day. Garlic destroys purulent cork and promotes rapid outflow of pus.

The furuncle under the arm should be treated until the abscess completely resolves. Remember that an unsuccessful furuncle is the cause of possible complications. Complex treatment of boils under the arm involves the use of ultraviolet irradiation and solux. When boils are not allowed to do massages on the site of the lesion, poultices, warming compresses and moist procedures that affect the boil are also unacceptable. Since this all can cause the spread of infection and the emergence of new boils.

Drugs

Prevention

Prevention of boils under the arm is carried out in the event that you have already had cases of boils, and you want to prevent relapse of the disease in the future.

Prevention is the following:

  • Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink herbal teas.
  • Sometimes for the prevention prescribed drink beer brewer's yeast.
  • Be sure to cure chronic diseases.
  • If you have a penchant for furunculosis, then exclude from the diet black tea, cheese, coffee, alcohol, pickled foods and all fried.
  • Infusion from the leaves of black currant and dog rose allows to strengthen immunity and protect from furuncles.

A furuncle under the arm requires personal hygiene. Keep the body clean, if you have wounds, scratches or small abrasions, be sure to treat them with ammonia, iodine, zelenka and other antibacterial agents. Observe all these recommendations, and a boil under your arm will not bother you.

trusted-source[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

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