Causes of a furuncle on the head

The causes for the development of a boil on the head can be manifold. As a rule, however, its formation is associated with a bacterial infection or a fungal infestation of a hair follicle. Particularly frequently, an infection with bacteria from the Staphylococcus aureus strain can be observed in the affected persons.

In less frequent cases, a mixed flora can also be detected within the purulent secretion of a furuncle on the head. Bacterial pathogens, some of which also occur on the healthy skin surface, are able to penetrate the skin, especially in cases of a disturbed skin barrier. Frequent hair washing, for example, can lead to the protective barrier of the skin on the head being disrupted and becoming permeable for bacterial pathogens. In addition, people who have a weakened immune system for various possible reasons have an increased risk of developing a boil on the head.

Symptoms of a boil on the head

A boil can basically develop on any hairy area of the skin. In most cases, however, inflammation of the hair follicles occurs on the head, face, neck, armpits, pubic bone and thighs. The symptoms of an uncomplicated boil on the head are always limited to the affected part of the body.

Only in exceptional cases and if the course of the disease is particularly unfavorable can a boil on the head also lead to general symptoms. In general, it can be assumed that a furuncle on the head is always preceded by the symptoms of a superficial hair follicle inflammation. In most cases, the development of a very small pustule is one of the first signs indicating an inflamed hair follicle.

As a rule, on closer inspection of the pus-filled pustule, a small hair surrounded by a local swelling can be detected in its center. In the course of the disease, the inflammatory processes also spread to the surrounding tissue, the original pustule increases significantly in size and grows into a boil.Depending on the severity and localization of the inflammatory processes, a boil can have a diameter of half a centimeter to two centimeters. Especially on the head the development of larger boils can often be observed.

The reason for this is probably the dense distribution of hair and damage to the natural skin flora, as can be observed in many people due to the use of aggressive shampoos. Due to the inflammatory processes, a boil on the head is typically bulging and particularly sensitive to pressure. In the advanced stage of the disease, pronounced pain occurs even independently of possible pressure on the boil.

As the disease progresses, the tissue in the middle of the furuncle begins to die off (so-called necrosis). In the course of this, a purulent tissue fusion with a central pus plug occurs, which at some point breaks through the skin surface and thus empties spontaneously. At this point, the symptoms of furuncle on the head typically subside significantly.

In most cases, the furuncle on the head does not cause any further complaints after emptying. However, some people affected may experience a subtle increase in body temperature (slight fever). Several boils on the head, which have merged into a so-called carbuncle, usually cause more severe symptoms.

In severe cases of illness, the boils on the head can merge with the lymphatic system. In such cases one speaks of a so-called lymphangitis. In addition, a boil on the head can open inwards and thus smooth the passage of the causative bacteria into the bloodstream. As a result, blood poisoning (sepsis) may occur under certain circumstances.