Furuncle on the leg

The furuncle on the leg is a specific skin formation characterized by the excretion and rejection of pus and necrosis of soft tissues near the inflamed hair follicle, sebaceous gland and adjacent tissues on the lower limb. This inflammation caused by bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus, decomposition products of which is pus.

Furuncles, as a rule, are located on those areas of the skin that are most often subjected to friction and undergo mechanical damage (for example, neck, lower back, back of hands, buttocks, knees). When a bacterium of Staphylococcus aureus enters the wound or a microcrack of the skin (for example, when shaving, or after epilation, if the hair has grown into the skin), the process of furunculosis is rapidly beginning. Within 2-3 days a small prick grows to the size of a pigeon egg. At the beginning, a small knot, disturbing with its pain, appears, with hair in the center. For a few days in the nodule because of necrotic processes, an infiltrate (liquid) accumulates, and in the center of the furuncle there is a pustule (like a volcano crater). When the pustule is opened after the so-called "ripening" of the boil, a pus of the pus comes out along with the dead surrounding tissues, in the place of which an ulcer is formed. Such an ulcer eventually tightens, but there is a scar on the skin. If the furuncle was large and located in such a way that it spoiled the face or visible part of the skin visually, you can consult a beautician or a plastic surgeon for the subsequent elimination of scar tissue (today this is done non-surgically, by laser or cryo ray exposure).

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of boils on the leg

As already mentioned above, furuncles on the leg are localized in places of increased friction and a large accumulation of hair follicles. One of these places is the surface of the legs (the area on the lower leg, under the knee, on the hips and even on the buttocks). The causes are usually damage to the skin (micro wound), skin lesions of bacteria with streptococcus aureus, anemia, lack of vitamins, type 1 and 2 diabetes (with diabetes, furunculosis often turns into a chronic process), alcoholism and prolonged hypothermia. A furuncle develops after a stroke or a bruise of the foot, often in the place of abrasions or deep scratches. Especially often, furunculosis affects athletes, whose feet are often exposed to micro-trauma and abrasions. With the constant "combing" of a wound or abrasion, it is systematically infected, which is the cause of furunculosis on the leg. This is the so-called single case of a furuncle, when the "chirac" occurs a couple of times in life, mainly due to injuries or direct infection. Another thing is if boils appear one after another, for a long time. This is a disease called "furunculosis", the nature of which has not been fully studied. Nevertheless, the main cause of chronic furunculosis is a metabolic disorder in the body and diabetes mellitus.

[4], [5], [6]

Symptoms of a boil on the leg

With the development of a furuncle on the leg, the skin, rich in hair follicles, begins to itch and itch. With time, more local pain begins: a furuncle is formed, at first like a large pimple. Diagnosis of the boil on the leg is absolutely simple and well visualized: as the furuncle develops, the affected area on the skin of the foot begins to "sip" and twitch. Many note a noticeable pulsation in the leg, which stops, as soon as the furuncle "matured." More often furuncles appear on the buttocks, the inner surface of the hips and between the legs. A furuncle between the legs delivers a mass of painful sensations until the moment of its maturation, as constant friction during walking permanently damages its head. In this case, when the furuncle is located between the legs or (worse) at the base of the genitals, do not look for alternative ways of treating it, but it's best to immediately go to the surgeon for a prognosis: conservative or surgical treatment. Remember that a chiaran near the genitals can cause a malfunction in the reproductive system.

The furuncle on the leg goes through this life cycle: 

1. Inflammation (there is a small pimple that does not have clear boundaries in the first days, then the pimple starts to grow and spread out beyond the skin, and it constantly itchs, itches and worries). 
2. Suppuration and necrosis (there is a so-called "ripening" furuncle with the subsequent exit of "rod" with pus and necrotic tissues adjacent to the inflamed hair follicle). 
3. Healing (formation of the "crater" furuncle, cleaning the wound with the subsequent scarring of the place where the boil was).

If more than a week has elapsed since you noticed the symptoms of the boil, and the sickly "pimple" does not "ripen", causing you more and more pain and discomfort - it is necessary to consult a surgeon. He gently opens the boil until it grows into a serious problem. It should be noted that with timely access to the surgeon, recovery comes quickly and passes almost 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 the surgeon can judge!), It is sufficient 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) remedy, because through any microcracks in foci of the boil can be infected. While the furuncle on the leg is not ripe, it is necessary to apply an antiseptic ointment on the surface of a furuncle pre-disinfected with hydrogen peroxide every morning and evening. Do not buy yourself an ointment that contains an antibiotic: if the boil is not in a failed state, antiseptics will cope with it. After disinfection and application of the ointment, the furuncle should be closed with a dense gauze bandage. Do not remind that the gauze dressing should be clean and disposable (sterile gauze for bandages is sold in each pharmacy). These manipulations must be carried out before the furuncle ripens. After the outlet of the boil, it is necessary to disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide, and when the wound dries and begins to tighten - you can lubricate the rim of the wound with a solution of greenery or iodine.

In the case when the furuncle on the leg is of considerable size, does not mature for a long time (more than a week) and is located in a place where it can cause complications in neighboring tissues and organs (for example, furuncle in the inguinal region) - it is necessary to immediately go to the surgeon. The doctor will anesthetize the incision of the furuncle and will ease your situation: after the release of pus from the wound, the healing process will not take long. The surgeon will disinfect and impose a sterile bandage. In the presence of severe pain, especially at the time of ripening of the boil, you can take an anesthetic pill every 5-6 hours (No-shpa, Imet, Analgin, Spazmalgon). Do not take analgesics for more than 2 days, because during this time the pain should subside. The furuncle on the leg of the child is treated only by the doctor, since most often is not just a infection, but a consequence of a cold or autoimmune disease. If you often get boils - you should consult an immunologist, a blood test for sugar and biochemistry, and also review your daily routine and nutrition. And do not forget to avoid hypothermia! Be healthy!