^

Health

Antibiotics for furunculosis

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Localized purulent inflammation of the hair follicle (hair bulb) and surrounding tissues, accompanied by abscesses and tissue death (necrosis), is called a furuncle. If furuncles appear repeatedly, doctors diagnose furunculosis.

The most "popular" areas for these inflammations to appear are the face, neck, armpits and groin, as well as the chest and back. The main cause of furunculosis, like a number of other diseases, is staphylococci. In this case, these are gram-positive methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). From the purulent focus in the center of the furuncle, the infection can spread through the bloodstream, forming new inflammations, and even become life-threatening, especially if the furunculosis affects the face or neck (the brain is very close). In such a situation, treating furunculosis with antibiotics has no alternative.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Treatment of furunculosis with antibiotics

According to the existing treatment regimen for furunculosis, when the furuncle has matured, several injections of novocaine solution with antibiotics are made into the area surrounding it. This relieves pain, and most importantly, prevents the purulent process from spreading further. Then attempts are made to speed up the removal of the furuncle's purulent core - using keratolytic agents for external use.

Preparations for external use

However, furunculosis very often develops into an abscess, that is, a purulent inflammation of tissues with their melting and the formation of a purulent cavity. In this case, the abscess is opened with the removal of purulent contents. After this, the doctor necessarily applies a bandage with ointments containing antibiotics.

Thus, the ointment Levomekol contains the antibiotic chloramphenicol and the immunostimulant methyluracil. The drug has a bacteriostatic effect on gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. And methyluracil present in the ointment promotes the regeneration of tissues affected by inflammation. This remedy is widely used not only in the treatment of furunculosis, but also purulent wounds, trophic ulcers and burns.

Mupirocin ointment (analogue - Bactroban) contains a broad-spectrum antibiotic obtained from the bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens. This external drug acts on most strains of staphylococci, including MRSA. It is prescribed for bacterial skin infections (impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis), as well as for secondary bacterial infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The ointment is applied to the affected areas of the skin 2 times a day. If the patient is a carrier of Staphylococcus aureus, then intranasal use of the drug is prescribed (smear in the nose) - 2-3 times a day for a week.

Fusidin sodium 2% gel is an effective antibiotic that also slows the growth and development of microorganisms resistant to other antibacterial drugs.

Antibiotics for furunculosis in tablets

Treatment of furunculosis with antibiotics is carried out, first of all, in case of diffuse or recurrent furuncles, as well as in case of their localization in the head and upper body. And since Staphylococcus aureus can develop resistance to certain antibiotics, then before prescribing a specific drug, the doctor should refer the patient for a microbiological study of the contents of the inflammatory focus - to determine the type of pathogen and, thus, identify its sensitivity to antibiotics (i.e., antimicrobial resistance).

People who have encountered this problem wonder what antibiotics to take for furunculosis? Many of them are interested in what antibiotic is best for furunculosis? Your doctor will answer these and all other questions related to the treatment of furunculosis. He will also prescribe medications, depending on the patient's condition and the clinical picture of the disease.

In the medical treatment of furunculosis, antibiotics are used that act on the golden staphylococcus strain MRSA. The list of commonly used antibiotics in the form of tablets or capsules includes up to one and a half dozen names.

For example, the antimicrobial drug Lincomycin (synonyms - Neloren, Mitsivin, Tsilimicin, Lincocin, Liocin, etc.) has a bacteriostatic effect on a relatively large number of microorganisms and begins to fight infection 2-4 hours after oral administration. This drug (in capsules of 250 mg) is used in the treatment of infectious diseases of soft tissues and skin, including infected purulent wounds, abscesses, furunculosis, as well as many infectious diseases of bones, joints, respiratory tract and ENT organs.

For each patient, the dosage of Lincomycin is determined by the doctor, and the standard dose for adults is 500 mg three times a day (with equal intervals between doses). Lincomycin should be taken half an hour to an hour before or two hours after meals, with plenty of water. The duration of treatment should not exceed two weeks.

The use of this drug may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache or pain in the hypochondrium, bowel disorders, skin itching, rash, urticaria, increased blood pressure. In case of liver and kidney dysfunction, during pregnancy and lactation, and for children under 6 years of age, this drug is contraindicated.

In the treatment of furunculosis with antibiotics, doctors recommend using Cephalexin (synonyms - Ospexin, Keflex, Flexin). It belongs to the semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotics of the cephalosporin series. The drug is available in the form of capsules (250 mg), tablets (250 mg) and powder for suspension. Cephalexin has a bactericidal effect on staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, E. coli, salmonella, etc. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma is achieved 60-90 minutes after administration.

This antibiotic has the following indications: phlegmon, pyoderma, abscess, furunculosis, otitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung abscess, cystitis, pyelonephritis.

The average daily dose of Cephalexin is 1-4 g (maximum - 6 g), it should be taken every 6 hours. The course of therapy is 1-2 weeks. Side effects of this drug are expressed in the form of weakness, tremor, dizziness, dyspepsia, diarrhea, leunopenia. The use of Cephalexin during pregnancy is possible only under the supervision of a doctor.

The combined drug Amoxiclav has two active ingredients: the penicillin antibiotic amoxicillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor of microorganisms - clavulanic acid. It is the one that prevents the destruction of amoxicillin and makes it possible to act on Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, this drug is prescribed for furunculosis, as well as for retropharyngeal abscess, otitis, pneumonia and infectious lesions of the skin, soft tissues, bones and joints. The average daily dose of Amoxiclav is 375 mg (1 tablet) every 8 hours, the tablet should be dissolved in 100 ml of water or chewed before swallowing.

Side effects of this drug are usually expressed by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, urticaria, headache, dizziness, anemia, insomnia, convulsions. Contraindications to its use are individual hypersensitivity, hepatitis or cholestatic jaundice caused by taking antibiotics of the penicillin group. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, Amoxiclav can be prescribed according to strict doctor's instructions. Special instructions: taking this antibiotic requires drinking a large amount of water or other liquid.

Antibiotics for furunculosis in tablets - Fusidin sodium (synonyms - Sodium Fusidate, Fucidin, Fusidin, Ramycin). This is a highly active and low-toxic drug aimed at staphylococcal infections, including those resistant to other antibiotics. Fusidin (in tablets of 0.125 g and 0.25 g) is prescribed for furunculosis, phlegmon, biliary tract infections, burns and infected wounds.

The drug is recommended to be taken with liquid food or milk - 0.5-1 g three times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is 7-10 days. Possible side effects of this drug include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally - skin rash.

trusted-source[ 2 ]

Antibiotics for furunculosis in children

For furunculosis in children, the same antibiotics are prescribed as for adults. So all indications, contraindications, and side effects of antibiotics for furunculosis in children are noted above.

The drug Cephalexin is prescribed to children in the form of powder for the preparation of a suspension, and its dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the age of the child: up to 12 months - 2.5 ml of suspension (3-4 times a day); from 1 year to 3 years - 5 ml (3 times a day); 3-6 years - 7.5 ml; 6-14 years - 10 ml (three times a day). Depending on the severity of the inflammatory process (in the absence of complications), the daily dose is recommended to be given in two doses (every 12 hours). Cephalexin is recommended to be taken for 2-5 days - until obvious clinical improvement.

The drug Fusidin-sodium (in the form of a suspension) is prescribed to children under 1 year at 60-80 mg/kg (during the day), from 1 year to 4 years - 40-60 mg/kg, from 4 to 14 years - 20-40 mg/kg per day. Duration of treatment is up to 10 days.

The dose of the antibiotic Amoxiclav for the treatment of children is also calculated taking into account body weight. This drug is prescribed to children in the form of a suspension. The dosage of the suspension (in vials of 156.25 mg / 5 ml and 312.5 mg / 5 ml, with a 5 ml dosing spoon) is as follows: children under three months of age are prescribed 25 mg / kg per day (in 2 doses, every 12 hours). After three months of age, the daily dose is 20 mg per kilogram (in 3 doses, every 8 hours). Special instructions for treatment with Amoxiclav also apply to children: fluid intake should be increased.

Antibiotics for furunculosis are treated according to the principle of "here and now". But skin infections tend to recur. And therefore it is important to take into account the general state of the immune system. In addition, people with obesity, as well as those who have problems with blood or diabetes, are at risk of developing furunculosis.

trusted-source[ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Antibiotics for furunculosis" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.