Boil on the penis

A boil on the penis or, in simple terms, boil - is an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle and connective tissue, provoked by golden or white staphylococcus. It appears as a red, painful nodule, sometimes with pus. Rarely transmitted sexually. It is common in adolescence, but can also occur in any period of a man’s life.

[1]

Causes of the boil on the penis

The formation of a boil is possible as a complication of superficial or developed staphyloderma, and on perfectly healthy penis skin. The main reasons for the formation of boils can be called, in addition to pathogenicity and virulence of the strain of staphylococcus, also external and internal predisposing causes. External causes include minor microtraumas of the skin that contribute to the penetration of the infection, for example, shaving the penis and the adjacent inguinal region, friction of underwear. These reasons contribute to the secondary penetration of staphylococci and transformation into the pathogenic form of saprophyte, mechanical damage to the skin of the penis during eczema, scabies, neurodermatosis create favorable conditions for the further development of the boil on the penis.

Internal causes include low immunity, general exhaustion, metabolic diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hypovitaminosis, diseases of the nervous system, alcoholism, systematic overcooling of the body, non-compliance with basic personal hygiene and genital hygiene. Low immunobiological reactivity of the body - is the main cause of boils on the penis. The peak of the disease falls on the period of early spring and late autumn, when the body has not yet adapted to the climatic changes of the season.

Symptoms of the boil on the penis

The boil has three life cycles:

1. development of infiltrates;
2. suppuration and necrosis;
3. healing.

Let us consider in more detail each of these cycles. Initially, the hair follicle is surrounded by a bright red infiltration with blurred outlines and firm to the touch, its appearance is accompanied by tingling and slight itching. Then the infiltrate changes into a dense tumor, increases in size, provokes pain symptoms.

After about three days, the second cycle begins - the boil increases to 1.5 cm in diameter, and a purulent-necrotic core is formed in the center. The boil on the penis has the appearance of a cone-shaped tumor. At the same time, an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C is possible, the appearance of  symptoms of poisoning  - headache, fatigue. Pain increases, becomes sharper. After a day or two, the pustules are opened mechanically or artificially, with the direct participation of a person and purulent masses reject along the necrotic stem, possibly with admixture of blood, then the greenish necrotic plug is rejected.

After the release of pus and necrotic core, the painful sensations disappear, the swelling of the tissues decreases, and a scar of a red-blue hue forms in the furrow crater on the site of the furuncle for the next two or three days; With a nonrecurrent process duration, the boil's life cycle lasts up to ten days.

When compressed during the process of infiltration is formed without the formation of necrosis and pus. In people with weak immunity, depleted diseases, as well as the wrong treatment, the boil on the penis is transformed into an abscess, forming a phlegmonous boil. Quite often there are cases of metastasis of boils in the liver and kidneys. Such consequences are possible due to improper treatment.

Boils are localized on any part of the skin where there are hair follicles. In our case, we are considering a boil on the penis.

A boil on the penis, in close proximity to the lymph nodes, can provoke the development of acute stem lymphangitis or lymphadenitis. Attempting to squeeze the boil, cut when shaving the genitals complicate the life cycles of the boil.

Furunculosis is characterized by multiple recurrent boils. In rare, exceptional cases, there are cases of furunculosis on the penis.

Forms

Experts classify these types of boils:

• single boil on the penis, which does not appear often - once every six months;
• single boils that recur both systematically and regularly;
• furunculosis, systematic rash of a large number of boils.

[2],

Diagnostics of the boil on the penis

Diagnosis of the boil on the penis is not difficult.

Initially, symptoms should be differentiated from hydradenitis, anthrax and trichophytosis.

[3], [4]

Treatment of the boil on the penis

Treatment of the boil on the penis is prescribed depending on the degree of development of the process and is therapeutic - medication, with the use of physiotherapy, or surgery - when opening the inflamed lesions with further extraction of pus is required.

It is not uncommon for men to detect the purulent formations on the penis "diagnose" the furuncle of the penis and then "prescribe treatment" by alternative methods. Disregarding the fact that the formation of pustules may be triggered by a venereal disease. Timely recourse to a specialist, greatly increases the likelihood of rapid recovery. Timely therapeutic treatment, drug treatment with antibiotics, pulling, anti-inflammatory ointments, significantly exclude the likelihood of surgical intervention. At the initial cycle of development of the boil on the penis, as a rule, it is advisable to assign local treatment. Pus formations are treated with ichthyol, antibacterial agents.

With prolonged inflammation prescribed antibacterial drugs. And only in case of severe intoxication, surgical intervention is necessary. In the period of infiltration, ultraviolet radiation in small doses will significantly accelerate the treatment process. At the time of suppuration and necrosis, it is possible that the infiltrate circumference is pierced with a solution of antibiotics and Novocain.

For the purpose of purification, the boils that have been opened are usually washed with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Dressings of hypertonic sodium chloride solution also cleanse the cavity of the boil from purulent masses. After the cavities have been cleaned and the necrotic plug has been torn off, applying dressings with Vishnevsky's ointment will speed up the healing process of the furuncle on the penis.

Squeezing the boil is absolutely contraindicated, it can trigger a generalization of the infection and the likelihood of an abscess and other life-threatening complications. The necrotic core withdraws itself, or it is removed mechanically, in the case of its absolute separation from the crater of the furuncle. In the circumference of the furuncle skin is recommended to be treated with green paint or alcohol.

The use of ichthyol has local anesthesia, due to its bactericidal properties - has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Ichthyol is applied to the furuncle in a thick layer, covering the top with a cotton pad. The dried-up ointment is washed off with warm water, leaving no residue. The dressing must be changed twice - three times daily. When the boil on the penis has opened, the application of ichthyol is stopped, allowing the pus and necrotic rod of the boil to be rejected.

Surgical treatment of boils on the penis is rarely resorted to in cases of abscesses and is in the incision under local anesthesia. The recovery period is the same as in the treatment of the opened furuncle.

The cause of the resulting complications may be undertreated boil on the penis, so in order to prevent such cases, it is necessary to conduct a course of treatment until the boil is completely resorbed.

Effective in the treatment of boils is the use of UHF,  ultraviolet irradiation, Solux. Various compresses, warming poultices and other procedures with the use of water are contraindicated in view of the possible spread of infection, the emergence of new boils.

In order to prevent probable hypovitaminosis, due to the development of purulent infection, the use of antibiotics, in order to optimize the metabolic process and increase the immunity of the whole organism, it is advisable to use vitamins C, B1, B2, PP. Consumption of spices, alcohol, fatty and spicy dishes is contraindicated, high-calorie foods with lots of vitamins are shown.

All possible complications of boils are treated exclusively in the hospital.

Prevention

Prevention of boil on the penis, because of its simplicity - is available to every man. First of all, compliance with the elementary rules of personal hygiene, hygiene of the penis, daily change of underwear, timely medical care for cuts, wounds possible during shaving of the genital area are of great importance. Of course, protection from overcooling is very important. A balanced diet with a variety of vegetables and fruits helps to strengthen the body's immunity.

[5], [6], [7], [8]