Complications of a boil | Furuncle on the head

Complications of a boil

Blood poisoning (sepsis) is one of the most feared complications of a boil on the head. In addition, especially in the case of a boil on the head, which occurs in the area from the eyelid to the nose and upper lip, there is a risk of serious complications. In this context, diseases of the orbital cavity (so-called orbitaphlegmons), thromboses of the cerebral veins and meningitis play a decisive role.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a boil on the head is usually a so-called gaze diagnosis. Already during the examination of the affected skin area, local redness and swelling are typically noticed. In order to initiate an effective treatment, however, it is particularly important to identify the causative pathogen.

By taking a smear of the furuncle on the head and a subsequent laboratory examination, the causative pathogen can usually be reliably identified. In addition, factors that promote the development of a boil on the head should be excluded. In this context, a possible diabetes, tumor disease or HIV play a decisive role.

Treatment of a furuncle on the head

The choice of the most suitable treatment for a boil on the head depends mainly on the exact localization and the extent of the inflammatory processes. In the case of an uncomplicated head boil, it is usually sufficient to initiate a local treatment. The skin of the affected patient should be disinfected at regular intervals and treated with warm compresses.

The application of warm compresses helps to promote the spontaneous draining of the furuncle to the outside. In addition, in the case of a boil on the head, the treatment can be carried out by regularly applying traction ointment. This treatment method promotes both the maturation and the spontaneous outward emptying of the furuncle.

Affected persons should always make sure that the transmission of the causative pathogens to other skin areas and/or the environment is prevented. For this reason, adequate hygiene must always be ensured in the case of a boil on the head. The boil on the head should never be touched with bare hands.

Furthermore, the hands must be washed thoroughly after each treatment and, ideally, additionally disinfected. In the case of a pronounced boil on the head, local treatment may not be sufficient. Especially in the case of a boil on the head, which causes severe pain, a surgical opening can be useful.

Following the treatment, the affected patient must be treated with antibiotics for a period of approximately five days. In addition, in case of a boil on the head, which is located above the upper lip, it should always be ensured that the affected facial area is not moved if possible.This means that the affected patient should be on bed rest and not speak. In addition, excessive chewing movements caused by the consumption of soft food must be avoided.

Regardless of the exact location of the furuncle, the following applies: A furuncle must never be opened or expressed independently. In the case of less pronounced furuncles on the head, which are located below the upper lip, treatment with a home remedy may be sufficient under certain circumstances. However, if a furuncle on the head appears above the upper lip, for example under the eye or on the nose, it should be treated immediately by a doctor.

The reason for this is the fact that serious complications are much more frequent with a boil on the face. These complications can only be avoided by medical treatment. One of the most popular home remedies against boils on the head are warm compresses.

These should be placed on the boil several times a day. Warm, moist compresses used as home remedies promote the spontaneous, outward opening of the furuncle. In addition, kale is one of the most popular household remedies for treating boils on the head.

After the kale leaf has been heated briefly, it can be wrapped in gauze and placed on the boil. Tea tree oil, which has a natural antiseptic effect, can also be used as a home remedy for head boils. Before use, however, it should be ruled out that an allergic reaction occurs on another part of the skin.

When using homeopathic remedies, it must be noted that these substances are not always sufficient to effectively treat a boil on the head. If the boil on the head is above the upper lip, no attempt should be made to treat it with homeopathic substances. Serious complications can only be avoided in these cases by consulting a specialist in a timely manner.

An uncomplicated boil on the head, which is located at a non-critical site, can be treated with homeopathic drugs. Especially Arsenicum album, Silicea, Sulfur and Thuja occidentalis are suitable for the treatment of a boil on the head. A pronounced, painful boil on the head can be removed most effectively by surgically opening the pustule.

The removal of the furuncle on the head can usually be done under local anesthesia. The attending physician will generously disinfect the affected skin region before the surgical procedure and then remove the furuncle with a surgical puncture (incision). After the opening of the furuncle on the head, the purulent secretion can drain off directed outwards.

This prevents the spontaneous, inwardly directed discharge. After removal of the boil, the wound must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Local antiseptics and/or antibiotics can be used for this purpose.

Recurring and/or particularly painful boils on the head can be very stressful for the persons concerned. For this reason, the question often arises as to what can be done against these skin symptoms. In general, the first thing to do when suffering from a boil on the head is to visit a suitable specialist.

As a rule, a boil on the head is the responsibility of a dermatologist (dermatologist). However, a visit to a general practitioner (general practitioner) can be useful in the event of a head boil. This doctor usually knows what to do depending on the exact location and extent of the furuncle. Affected persons can bridge the time until the next possible doctor’s appointment by using home remedies or substances from the field of homeopathy.