Boil under the arm

A boil under the armpit is an unpleasant problem that can spoil the most ordinary procedures. But a boil is not just a pimple or a rash, it is an inflammation that indicates an infection in the body. Let's take a closer look at what a boil is, the reasons for its appearance, how to treat it and how to protect yourself from the appearance of a boil.

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Causes of a boil under the armpit

The causes are infectious diseases that penetrate the hair follicle, which ultimately leads to an inflammatory process, which is characterized by swelling, redness in the affected area and causes severe pain.

The main etiological factors:

• Weakened immunity.
• Unhealthy diet.
• Microtraumas of the skin and contamination.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Increased sebum secretion and sweating.

The appearance of a boil under the arm begins with the appearance of a small painful rash on the skin on irritated red skin, in the very center there is a purulent point. The purulent point is the contents of the boil. After the boil breaks through and the necrotic tissue is rejected, a scar will appear at the site of the boil. If several sources of boils appear on the skin, then the disease is called furunculosis. If purulent inflammation of the skin, subcutaneous fat and sebaceous glands, which are located around the hair follicles, takes place, then all factors indicate the formation of a carbuncle.

A boil under the armpit is unpleasant, it is a disease that causes discomfort. With a boil, the skin under the armpit turns red, the lymph nodes increase in size and swell. In addition, the delicate skin is constantly exposed to influences. A boil is a purulent inflammation of the hair follicle, which is why boils do not appear on the soles and palms. The armpit area is an ideal place for a boil to appear.

It is important to know that the most common cause of a boil is failure to observe basic personal hygiene rules, hypothermia, excessive sweating, or prolonged exposure to heat.

If, in addition to visible inflammation and a purulent point, red stripes appear that go to the lymph nodes during the maturation of the furuncle, then the patient feels severe pain, and the furuncle matures too slowly. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment for a furuncle.

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Symptoms of a boil under the armpit

The signs are hard to miss, as the development of a boil is discomfort and elevated temperature. Please note that you cannot open a boil on your own, as this can lead to serious complications. The most dangerous complication is furunculosis or the spread of purulent boils. This indicates septicemia, that is, a severe form of blood poisoning.

• A boil under the armpit covers the entire hair follicle, which includes the sweat gland and connective tissue. During the appearance of the boil, collagen lesions appear, which are completely destroyed, as well as elastic fibers.
• The boil under the armpit is subject to constant deformation. This area is very painful, especially during the formation of the boil. Remember that the treatment of the boil is determined by the stage of its development.

When a boil appears, it is very important to follow the rules of personal hygiene. The source of infection should have minimal contact with clothing and anything that can irritate the skin. It is worth giving up antiseptics and deodorants. The lesion, that is, the place where the boil formed, must be constantly treated with ointments and special solutions. In the most difficult cases of furunculosis, surgical intervention is mandatory.

Diagnostics of a boil under the armpit

Diagnosis is quite a difficult process. When diagnosing a furuncle, it is necessary to differentiate it from hidradenitis, anthrax and deep trichophytosis.

• Hidradenitis is a purulent inflammation of the apocrine glands. The disease has no core, it forms in the armpits, the area of the breast nipples, the inguinal folds and in the anal area.
• Anthrax - the disease begins with a papule-vesicle, which gradually becomes covered with a black stupor. It is accompanied by disturbances of the general condition, sharp pains and infiltration of the hypodermis.
• Trichophytosis granuloma - appears on the head and beard. When diagnosing this disease, contact with animals or anamnesis, which could have caused the infection, as well as pain with a purulent core, are of great importance.

The main feature of boils under the armpit is that they appear only in places where hair grows. It is difficult to diagnose a boil, the first sign of a boil can be confused with simple irritation. The first sign of a boil is itching, swelling, redness, swelling in the area of the hair follicle. After this, an inflamed nodule appears at the site of redness, which is very painful and has a purple-red color. The swelling constantly increases, and after a couple of days, the inflamed tissue acquires a greenish color, in this place the core of the boil is formed.

It is important to know that a boil causes headaches, weakness and malaise. After a couple of days, the core of the boil is rejected and a bleeding wound forms in its place. Do not forget that boils cannot be touched, massaged or squeezed. Remember that boils under the armpits leave scars.

One boil does not pose a particular danger to the body, but several inflamed boils indicate serious health problems. Boils on the neck and face can cause chills and high fever. If boils appear frequently and several at a time, then we are talking about furunculosis, which can only be cured with medication. If you do not start treatment in time, complications can be fatal, for example, blood poisoning.

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Differential diagnosis

A boil under the armpit is an inflamed cavity in the skin filled with purulent contents. Boils come in different sizes, from small painful pimples to large purulent tumors. The peculiarity of boils is that the place of their localization must necessarily have hair or areas of the body where there is friction. As a rule, this is the chest, lower back, groin and armpits. A boil under the armpit is much more dangerous than abscesses on other parts of the body. A boil under the armpit must be differentiated from a purulent, prolonged inflammatory process of the sweat glands.

Hidradenitis or purulent inflammation of the sweat glands, that is, a furuncle is most dangerous in the armpits, groin folds and anus. It is difficult to independently determine whether you have a furuncle or trichophytosis, erythema nodosum or scrofuloderma.

Treatment of a boil under the armpit

Treatment depends on the stage of development of the boil. In the early stages of the disease, ultraviolet radiation is used, and at the stage of maturation, the boil is injected with novocaine and antibiotic solutions. Treatment of a boil under the arm should be immediate. As soon as you have a boil, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. The armpit is a place where scars remain forever. In order for the boil to heal faster, it is necessary to carry out treatment using ichthyol compresses. This will speed up the process of maturation of the boil and it can soon be opened.

Due to its specific smell and a number of contraindications, the use of ichthyol is not always convenient. An excellent alternative to it is the ointment Ilon K, which you can buy in pharmacies in your city. The ointment accelerates the process of maturation and opening of the boil, while simultaneously promoting the mass destruction of pathogenic microflora and preventing re-inflammation. Ilon does not cause pathological processes under the skin, is well tolerated and has virtually no contraindications. A pleasant aroma and light greenish color make the use of the ointment in the armpit area comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

After the boil is opened, it is necessary to remove the purulent core with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. After removing the pus, a wound remains on the body, which must be well disinfected, for this, an alcohol swab or hydrogen peroxide is used. After removing the pus, the recovery process takes place for several days. During this period, it is necessary to make compresses, since a relapse of the disease is possible. If during the treatment of the boil you decide to use alternative methods of medicine, that is, folk 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 a boil forever 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 you a course of suitable antibiotics. The antibiotic treatment method is the most reliable today. Treatment of a boil can be carried out almost painlessly, but despite this, it is easier to prevent the appearance of a boil. If you have a small wound or cut yourself while shaving under your arm, then the skin must be disinfected immediately. Avoid hypothermia and overheating, take vitamins, as this will help to avoid many diseases.

How to treat a boil under the arm?

First of all, it is worth remembering that the place where the boil appeared should not be touched, massaged, and especially not try to squeeze out the abscess. Never squeeze pimples and rashes, this can also provoke the spread of infection throughout the body. A boil under the arm is hidradenitis. If you have a boil, you need to seek medical help, if this is not possible, then treatment can be done at home.

To treat a 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 at the first stages of the boil's development. If you use the ointment at the stage of full development of the boil, the ointments will help the abscess to mature and break through faster.

Do not expect the boil to resolve on its own, do not let it take its course and do not neglect treatment of the disease.

Therapy algorithm:

• Treatment of a boil should begin with folk remedies, as this allows the boil to mature faster and the pus to be drawn out more quickly.
• The affected areas must be wiped with alcohol, brilliant green or iodine.
• Applying a warm compress daily will help soften the skin, making the process of the boil maturing less painful.
• You can get rid of a boil with garlic. To do this, you will need a piece of linen, vegetable oil and garlic. Soak the cloth in oil and spread the crushed garlic. Make a compress and apply it to the boil twice a day. Garlic destroys the purulent plugs and promotes rapid drainage of pus.

A boil under the armpit should be treated until the abscess completely resolves. Remember that an untreated boil is the cause of possible complications. Complex treatment of a boil under the armpit includes the use of ultraviolet radiation and sollux. With boils, massages should not be done at the site of the lesion, poultices, warming compresses and wet procedures that affect the boil are also unacceptable. Since all this can cause the spread of infection and the appearance of new boils.

Prevention

Prevention of boils under the armpit is carried out if you have already had cases of boils and you want to prevent recurrence of the disease in the future.

Prevention consists of following the following measures:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink herbal teas.
• Sometimes, for prevention, a course of drinking brewer's yeast is prescribed.
• Be sure to treat chronic diseases.
• If you have a tendency to furunculosis, then exclude black tea, cheese, coffee, alcohol, pickled foods and everything fried from your diet.
• An infusion of blackcurrant and rosehip leaves helps strengthen the immune system and protects against boils.

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

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