Symptoms of furunculosis

The symptoms of a furuncle can be explained by the inflammatory reaction of the body. The skin at the infected site is reddened, swollen and overheated. Furuncles and the surrounding skin are also very painful.

In addition to the local symptoms, other more unspecific symptoms such as increased temperature or fever and general malaise may also occur. If several adjacent boils unite and form a large focus of inflammation, this carbuncle is called a carbuncle. In the worst case, the inflammation can spread from the hair follicle to the lymphatic system (lymphangitis) and lead to swollen lymph nodes.

Therapy of furunculosis

When treating a boil, it is particularly important that patients touch it as little as possible and above all do not try to express the boil! It can happen that the bacteria from the encapsulated boil are scattered into the body and cause complications. This can be especially dangerous with boils in the facial area.

For this reason, patients with boils in this area should also try to move their head as little as possible and, if necessary, to stay in bed. Cooling the affected area can provide relief from the pain of the furuncle. In the case of small, uncomplicated furuncles, it may be sufficient to disinfect them and treat them with traction ointment, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and circulation-promoting effects.

This results in a “maturation” of the furuncle. In some cases, however, the pus must be drained by a doctor with the help of a scalpel. Risk factors for boils should also be treated.

For example, it is advisable to measure the blood sugar level in the case of frequently recurring furuncles and to initiate diabetes therapy. There are also various homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat boils, for example Belladonna, Silicea or Hepar sulfuris calcareum. In addition, the surrounding skin can be rubbed with Myristica ointment for pain relief.

In addition to homeopathic therapy, however, adequate hygiene and disinfection of the affected areas should also be observed.You should also see a doctor if there is no improvement after three days or if the pain increases despite treatment. Red stripes that develop around the inflamed area are an indication of a complicated course with inflammation of the lymphatic system (lymphangitis) and should also result in an immediate visit to the doctor. Diabetics (diabetics) and other high-risk patients should go directly to a physician when furuncles appear and should not undergo any manual (homeopathic) therapy.

In severe cases, for example if furuncles recur repeatedly, the patient suffers from an immune deficiency or especially with facial furuncles, antibiotic therapy is necessary. As a rule, penicillin is used for this, which is very effective against staphylococci. In the case of a penicillin allergy, the active substance clindamycin can be used as an alternative. The antibiotic should always be administered directly into the veins via a drip, especially in the case of facial furuncles, as this is more effective.