What should you do if the birthmark is festering?
Also the suppurating birthmark is usually an expression of an inflamed birthmark. The pus consists of white blood cells that eliminate the germs in the wound. It is important that under no circumstances should the birthmark be manipulated.
This means that no attempt should be made to express the pus. A doctor should also be consulted if the birthmark is festering. The doctor should remove the pus.
It can then be treated with local antiseptics. The danger with a suppurating birthmark is the transfer of the pathogen into the bloodstream. This should be avoided by early treatment of the infection. In most cases, the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for inflammatory skin structures. If this passes into the bloodstream, sepsis (blood poisoning) can threaten.
What should one do in case of inflammation after birthmark removal?
Inflammation after birthmark removal occurs due to an infection of the resulting scar. If the wound is infected, the surgeon should be consulted. In most cases, the wound can be treated with local antiseptics so that the germs in the wound are killed.
If the infection spreads to deeper skin layers, antibiotic therapy should be considered. Infection can be prevented by covering the wound well with a plaster after removal of the birthmark and by preventing water from getting into the wound. Furthermore, the patch should only be changed with clean hands.
ABCDE rules for the evaluation of a birthmark
As described above, the ABCDE rules are used to assess a birthmark (see: Birthmark). These criteria can be used to determine whether the birthmark has changed and to describe it in more detail. In this way an inflammation usually does not escape you.
Inflamed birthmarks are conspicuous according to the criteria of these rules. They change in shape and grandeur, often swollen, and their color can also change, for example they become reddish. Inflamed moles also hurt and can even bleed or secrete purulent secretions.
Pus formation indicates bacterial colonization. Inflammatory processes at birthmarks can indicate an observable or malignant change. However, this is not necessarily the case.
Inflammation can simply be caused by small cracks in the skin, which are caused by scratching, for example. Germs penetrate through the fine cracks and the tissue becomes inflamed. A hair can also be the cause of an inflamed mole.
Hair grows out of some birthmarks, or in other words, hairs: Where a hair grows, there can also be a birthmark. An inflammation of the root of this hair is located directly at the birthmark and can thus be a cause. Although hair root inflammation preferentially occurs in very hairy areas, for example on the scalp or the male breast, it can also occur in isolation, so that birthmarks with a hair can also be affected.
The germ that causes this inflammation is Staphylococcus aureus. It is a germ of the skin. Such an inflammation of the hair follicles is painful.Pressing on the inflamed area further increases the pain.
As a rule, such mild inflammations heal without complications. For therapy, an antiseptic can be applied locally. One such antiseptic is chlorhexidine, for example.
Antiseptics kill pathogens and can thus be used for topical therapy. If the inflammation of the birthmark or the hair follicle spreads to the surrounding tissue, carbuncles and boils can develop. These are forms of abscesses.
They may require antibiotic therapy. As a rule, however, such inflammations heal well without scarring and without complications. Externally, the birthmark is swollen and may appear yellowish.
Birthmarks usually consist of an accumulation of pigment cells, so-called melanocytes. As already mentioned above, other cell types, such as sebaceous gland cells, are also involved in their formation. As a rule, birthmarks are benign growths of the skin.
However, some of them can change. There may then be a risk that malignant growths develop from them, which ultimately leads to skin cancer. There are signs that indicate a worrying change, but this does not mean that cancer is already present.
Such changes also manifest themselves as signs of inflammation. The best way not to miss such a potentially malignant change is to check your moles regularly according to the ABDCE rules. Worrying changes can be color changes and an irregular coloring, e.g. redness.
In addition, such moles can hurt or even bleed. Growth or swelling should also be observed. Irregular or asymmetrical shapes are also among the things that are more worthy of observation.
On the surface of such birthmarks scabs can sometimes form. Eschars are coagulated exudate. The latter are inflammatory secretions of the tissue.
In summary, it can be said that some rather malignant changes of moles are of inflammatory nature. However, this does not mean that every malignant mole shows signs of inflammation. Nor does it mean that every inflammation is necessarily a sign of a malignant change.
However, if you notice such changes in yourself, you should consult a doctor and have the cause clarified. If the development is of concern, the doctor will surgically remove the birthmark (see also: Removal of a birthmark). The aim is to prevent metastasis, i.e. spreading of the cancer, at an early stage, or to prevent the cancer from developing.
In addition to self-inspection at home, statutory health insurance companies have been offering a skin cancer screening service since 2008. Entitled to take advantage of this service are all those insured by statutory health insurance from the age of 35. The examination is performed every 2 years by the family doctor or dermatologist.
All moles are inspected and evaluated from head to toe. The birthmark can be irritated by friction. This can cause redness and swelling, but without an inflammatory reaction. These skin symptoms usually disappear after one day. They are merely an expression of increased blood circulation due to the irritation caused.
