The symptoms of furuncle | Boils of the breast

The symptoms of furuncle

The symptoms of furuncle are hardly noticeable at first. Immediately after the penetration of the bacteria and at the beginning of the infection no symptoms appear. It is only through the immune reaction, i.e. the inflammation, that the typical symptoms appear.

Little by little a small pimple forms, which becomes bigger and bigger. This is due to the fact that the inflammatory reaction releases certain substances such as histamine and prostaglandins. These inflammatory mediators cause an increased sensitivity to pain, the typical redness and swelling in the affected skin area.

The boil is then perceived as a bulging, pressure-painful lump. In addition, there is pus formation in the area of the hair follicle and in the adjacent skin area. The pus is caused by so-called proteolytic (“dissolving”) enzymes, which “melt down” the tissue around the infection. Gradually, more and more pus accumulates, which over time breaks through to the surface of the skin. In the end, the pus empties at the surface of the skin and the wound then heals with scarring.

The treatment of a boil of the breast

The treatment of furuncle consists of different components, which depend on the extent of the furuncle. In many cases, the best solution is not to press around the affected area and wait for the furuncle to heal. By pressing on the furuncle, there is a risk that the bacteria will spread to the surrounding tissue.

This increases the inflammation and the size of the furuncle increases. However, if the furuncle lasts longer and does not heal spontaneously, the breaking open of the boil can be provoked. This can be done with warm and moist compresses, for example.

These soften the skin and thus enable the boil to be emptied. Also pulling ointment is often used. It causes increased blood circulation and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

In case of doubt, however, a doctor should be consulted, especially if the furuncle persists over a longer period and does not heal. In this case the doctor can open the boil under local anesthesia with a small incision.The contents are then removed and the wound rinsed out. This is usually followed by a good healing process.