Boils on the chin

Introduction

A boil is a deep-seated, usually very painful inflammation of the hair follicle and surrounding skin tissue. The cause of these inflammatory processes is usually bacteria from the group of staphylococci. More precisely, this is the well-known Staphylococcus aureus, a germ that is also found on healthy skin and is therefore considered part of the normal skin environment.

In the course of the inflammatory changes, a boil (for example on the chin) leads to the loss of parts of the tissue (necrosis) and then to the melting of the dead cells. Pus develops. Over time, the accumulation of pus under the skin grows to such an extent that the surface of the skin is penetrated by a coarse pus plug.

In medical terminology, this process is called “spontaneous opening”. The consequence of such a spontaneous opening can be the formation of an unsightly scar (for example on the chin). Boils can generally develop on any part of the body that has hair roots.

In the area of the scalp, however, boils are rarely observed. Particularly at risk are those areas of the skin that are regularly depilated. For this reason, men develop boils mainly in the area of the face (for example, on the chin), on the chest and on the back.

In women, furuncles can be observed in most cases on the regularly depilated lower legs. A boil on the chin is rather rare for women. In addition, boils can develop standing alone or arranged in groups.

A grouped arrangement of several furuncles within a body region is called carbuncle. These carbuncles can partially even merge with each other and take on a large-area character. Furthermore, it should be noted that furuncles can be regarded as rather harmless in most parts of the body.

In other regions, however, (for example, skin areas above the corner of the mouth earlobe line) they can cause severe complications, which in the worst case can even lead to death. Patients who suffer from furuncles (e.g. on the chin) at regular intervals or who have extensive carbuncles should in any case consult a dermatologist, i.e. a specialist in dermatology, as soon as possible and initiate a suitable therapy with him/her.

The main cause of furuncles (for example on the chin) is an infection with the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Since this bacterial pathogen is also present on healthy skin, it must find an entry point into deeper skin layers. As a rule, the development of a furuncle (on the chin) begins with the infection of a hair follicle (synonym: hair follicle).

Inflammatory processes are triggered by the penetration of the bacterial pathogen, which leads to a so-called hair follicle inflammation. During this process, certain substances can be excreted by the bacterial pathogens, which lead to a loosening of the cell cohesion. This in turn favors the settlement and spread of the bacteria.

In the case of a boil on the chin, a red pustule with a centrally located pus plug develops over time. During the growth of the furuncle, areas up to two centimeters in size and extremely painful can develop. It is assumed that the actual cause of the development of a furuncle is a self infection.

This assumption is supported by the fact that the responsible Staphylococcus aureus is located on the skin surface as well as in the nasopharyngeal cavity of the healthy person. In addition, other risk factors can promote the development of furuncle. Among these so-called risk factors are:

  • Shaving or epilating frequently
  • Poor skin care
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Tight-fitting, abrasive clothing
  • Dry skin