Symptoms of Phlegmone
Phlegmone causes different symptoms, which can be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the inflammation. However, there is always a reddening of the affected area of the body, which is additionally accompanied by overheating. Furthermore, there is also severe pain and fever.
If the phlegmon is visible from the outside, the patient will also recognize after a very short period of time, melted pus and black discolored areas. At this stage at the latest, it is very important to consult a doctor, because the black discolored areas are dead tissue (necrosis), which in the worst case can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). Some patients, however, complain of a general lack of drive, a feeling of weakness and only occasional pain.
Especially phlegmons, which develop after dental treatment, it is typical that they are not visible and cause only slight symptoms at the beginning. However, swellings in the area of the jaw often occur then. Furthermore, phlegmons, no matter where they are located, are usually accompanied by a body temperature above 39°C (fever).
Since this is an inflammation that spreads diffusely, the lymph nodes near the phlegmons are usually swollen.In general, a phlegmon can be recognized very well by its external appearance. There is a strong swelling around the area of the wound, in addition to a widespread reddening and accumulation of pus around the wound. Black discolored necroses usually occur in later stages. It is also characteristic that phlegmons are painful and generally very debilitating for the patient.
Therapy
Phlegmons are in dire need of therapy and should not be ignored as the diffusely spreading inflammation can cause the inflammation to spread to the blood and cause blood poisoning (sepsis). Since the blood spreads unhindered throughout the body, in the worst case, the inflammation can spread via blood throughout the body, which can lead to one or more organ failures. However, this scenario can be avoided with an adequate therapy.
A therapy can only be carried out in hospital. On the one hand, a high-dose antibiotic therapy is necessary, which should definitely be administered into the vein (intravenously), as this is the only way to prevent a systematic spread of the inflammation. Which antibiotic is given, depends completely on the pathogen of the phlegmon.
Furthermore, it is necessary to perform a wound cleansing (debridement). In this procedure, the necrotizing and suppurating tissue is removed over a large area in a small operation so that the inflammation cannot spread further and the dead tissue, which cannot regenerate, does not hinder the regeneration of the new tissue. During the operation, the wound is also repeatedly rinsed and, in the case of large phlegmons, an additional tube can be placed in the wound to drain the wound secretion and pus.
This principle is also called wound drainage with the tube connected to a collection container. After the operation, it is very important to clean the affected tissue well again and again. This means that the dressing should be renewed every day and the wound should also be cleaned with antiseptics. Since these hygiene standards and, above all, the therapy can only be carried out by a doctor and the nursing staff, a stay in hospital is essential in the case of a phlegmon.
