What to do when an atheroma bursts?
Occasionally an atheroma can burst open. It is important to know that bursting is not a cure for the atheroma. If pus has emptied, the wound can be rinsed with wound disinfectant and the inflammation can be contained.
In any case, a doctor should be consulted. This doctor should remove the remains of the atheroma remaining in the skin. When the atheroma bursts open, part of the atheroma remains. If this is not removed, the atheroma can quickly reappear.
What is an inflamed atheroma?
Inflammation of the atheroma usually occurs when the affected person tries to squeeze or pierce the atheroma like a pimple. Through this manipulation germs get into the atheroma and a bacterial infection can occur. This triggers an inflammatory reaction.
The inflammation becomes noticeable by a reddening and overheating of the skin area. The inflamed atheroma is also very sensitive to pain. Pressure and touch are associated with pain.
If bacterial inflammation is present, pus can form inside the atheroma. Under certain circumstances, this pus can spontaneously drain to the surface of the skin. It is important not to try to squeeze the inflamed atheroma in order to empty the pus, as pressing the pus into deeper layers of the skin can cause the inflammation to spread.
Caution should be exercised especially on the head in the case of an inflamed atheroma, as it is important to prevent the inflammation from spreading to the brain. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted at every sign of an inflammation of the atheroma! The physician can empty the pus cavity in a targeted manner without causing it to spread.
Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to take an antibiotic to fight the bacterial infection. Whether this is necessary or not is best assessed by the doctor treating the patient. In some cases, a drainage is also placed in the inflamed atheroma. This should make it possible that even pus that has not been removed can still drain off in the coming days.
Which ointments can help against the atheroma?
In principle, no ointments can remove the atheroma. However, as long as the atheroma is not inflamed, no therapy is required. Only very large or cosmetically disturbing atheromas should be surgically removed.
There is one exception, however, where the atheroma can also be treated with ointments. This is the inflamed atheroma, which has already developed a pus cavity. This can be treated with pulling ointment.
However, this ointment does not make the atheroma disappear, but only causes the pus to mature and open more quickly. It also has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. If the non-inflamed atheroma is treated with traction ointment, the atheroma may also open up because the ointment contains substances that soften the skin.
The difference to the inflamed atheroma is that the opening does not bring any relief. The accumulated skin scales and sebum are emptied. However, the capsule of the atheroma remains in the skin and therefore an atheroma will quickly reappear at the site.
Infusion ointments are ointments which are mostly made of oil shale and contain the active ingredient ammonium bituminosulfonate. They have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood circulation-promoting and pain-relieving effect. In addition, the ointment reduces the sebum flow and softens the skin, which makes it easier to empty a suppurative focus. The pulling ointment is used in cases of suppurative foci, such as acne or furuncles. The ointment can also be used to empty the pustule earlier in the case of an inflamed atheroma.