A boil on my leg

A furuncle on the leg is a specific skin formation characterized by the release and rejection of pus and necrosis of soft tissues around the inflamed hair follicle, sebaceous gland and adjacent tissues on the lower limb. Such inflammation is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the decay products of which are pus.

Furuncles are usually located on those areas of the skin that are most often subject to friction and mechanical damage (for example, the neck, lower back, back of the hands, buttocks, knees). When the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria gets into a wound or microcrack in the skin (for example, when shaving, or after epilation, if a hair has grown into the skin), the process of furunculosis begins rapidly. Within 2-3 days, a small pimple grows to the size of a pigeon's egg. At first, a small, painful nodule appears, with a hair in the center. Within a few days, an infiltrate (liquid) accumulates in the nodule due to necrotic processes, and a pustule (like a volcanic crater) appears in the center of the furuncle. When the pustule opens after the so-called "ripening" of the furuncle, a pus core comes out of the "crater" together with the dead surrounding tissues, in the place of which an ulcer is formed. Such an ulcer heals over time, but a scar remains on the skin. If the furuncle was of significant size and was located in such a way that it visually spoiled the face or the visible part of the skin, you can contact a cosmetologist or plastic surgeon for subsequent elimination of scar tissue (today this is done non-surgically, using a laser or cryo beam).

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Causes of a boil on the leg

As mentioned above, boils on the leg are localized in areas of increased friction and a large accumulation of hair follicles. One of these areas is the surface of the legs (the area on the shin, under the knee, on the thighs and even on the buttocks). The causes are usually damage to the skin (micro wounds), skin lesions caused by the bacteria Streptococcus aureus, anemia, vitamin deficiency, diabetes type 1 and 2 (with diabetes, furunculosis often becomes chronic), alcoholism and prolonged hypothermia. A boil develops after a blow or bruise to the leg, often at the site of an abrasion or deep scratch. Athletes, whose legs are often exposed to microtrauma and abrasions, are especially susceptible to furunculosis. With constant "scratching" of a wound or abrasion, its systematic infection occurs, which is the cause of furunculosis on the leg. This is the so-called single case of furuncle, when the "boil" occurs a couple of times in life, mainly due to injuries or direct infection. Another thing is if furuncles appear one after another, over a long period of time. This is already a disease called "furunculosis", the nature of which has not been fully studied. However, the main cause of chronic furunculosis is metabolic disorders in the body and diabetes.

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Symptoms of a boil on the leg

When a boil develops on the leg, the skin, rich in hair follicles, begins to itch and itch. Over time, more local pain begins: a boil is formed, at first similar to a large pimple. Diagnosis of a boil on the leg is absolutely simple and well visualized: as the boil develops, the affected area on the skin of the leg begins to "squeal" and twitch. Many note a noticeable pulsation in the leg, which stops as soon as the boil "ripens". Most often, boils appear on the buttocks, inner thighs and between the legs. A boil between the legs causes a lot of painful sensations until it ripens, since constant friction when walking constantly damages its head. In this case, when the boil is located between the legs or (even worse), at the base of the genitals, you should not look for folk methods of treating it, but rather immediately consult a surgeon for a prognosis: conservative or surgical treatment. Remember that a boil near the genitals can cause a malfunction of the reproductive system.

A boil on the leg goes through the following life cycle:

1. Inflammation (a small pimple forms, which has no clear boundaries in the first days. Then the pimple begins to grow and protrude beyond the skin. At the same time, it constantly itches, itches and bothers).
2. Suppuration and necrosis (the so-called “ripening” of the furuncle occurs, followed by the release of the “core” with pus and dead tissue adjacent to the inflamed hair follicle).
3. Healing (formation of a boil “crater”, cleansing of the wound followed by scarring of the area where the boil was).

If more than a week has passed since you noticed the symptoms of a boil, and the pathogenic "pimple" still does not "mature", causing you more and more pain and discomfort, you need to see a surgeon. He will carefully open the boil before it develops into a serious problem. It is worth noting that if you contact a surgeon in a timely manner, recovery occurs quickly and passes practically without consequences for the general condition of the body.

How to treat a boil on the leg?

If the boil on the leg does not require surgical intervention (which only a surgeon can judge!), it is enough to adhere to the following treatment regimen: before each contact with the boil, it is necessary to thoroughly wash your hands with soap or disinfect them with an antiseptic (alcohol-containing is possible), because an infection can be introduced into the boil through any microcrack. Until the boil on the leg has matured, it is necessary to apply an antiseptic ointment to the surface of the boil, previously disinfected with hydrogen peroxide, every day in the morning and evening. You should not independently buy an ointment that contains an antibiotic: if the boil is not in an advanced state, antiseptics will cope with it. After disinfection and application of the ointment, you need to cover the boil with a thick gauze bandage. It is worth reminding that the gauze bandage should be clean and disposable (sterile gauze for bandages is sold in every pharmacy). These manipulations must be carried out until the boil matures. After the core of the boil comes out, it is necessary to disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide, and when the wound dries and begins to heal, you can lubricate the rim of the wound with a solution of brilliant green or iodine.

If the boil on the leg is of significant size, does not mature for a long time (more than a week) and is located in a place where it can cause complications in adjacent tissues and organs (for example, a boil in the groin area), you must immediately contact a surgeon. The doctor will anesthetize the incision of the boil and ease your situation: after the pus is released from the wound, the healing process will not take long. The surgeon will disinfect and apply a sterile bandage. If there is severe pain, especially when the boil is maturing, you can take a painkiller tablet at the rate of once every 5-6 hours (No-shpa, Imet, Analgin, Spazmalgon). You should not take analgesics for more than 2 days, since the pain should subside during this time. A boil on the leg of a child is treated only by a doctor, since most often it is not just an infection, but a consequence of a cold or autoimmune disease. If you often develop boils, you should consult an immunologist, have your blood tested for sugar and biochemistry, and also review your daily routine and diet. And don't forget to avoid hypothermia! Be healthy!