A furuncle (boil) is a skin disease caused by deep purulent inflammation of a hair follicle and a nearby sebaceous gland. If boils spread all over the body, the disease is called furunculosis. It is an unpleasant condition that causes physical as well as cosmetic issues: the rash is painful; it forms abscesses that hurt even more. Moreover, healing furuncles leave scars. Furunculosis may transform into chronic disease. Chronic boils re-occur repeatedly. Dealing with chronic disease means taking care of oneself constantly, following dermatologist’s advice, using preventative measures in order to soften the course of the disease. Treatment of recurrent furunculosis as well as treatment of solitary furuncles will be discussed further in this article.
What causes furuncules?
There may be many furunculosis predisposing factors, e.g. weak immune system, other chronic skin diseases, intestinal problems. Both solitary and multiple purulent inflammation of hair follicle is usually caused by staphylococci, rarely by other microorganisms. Frostbitten, obese, diabetic, exhausted, vitamin deficient, unhygienic people get furunculosis more frequently. The disease may manifest on any part of the body but usually boils appear on skin that is often traumatized or rubs against clothes, e.g. specific areas of face, neck, chest, waist, buttocks and inner thighs. Furunculosis that appears on face, especially in perinasal or genial region, poses serious threat to health. Facial veins do not have valves so the infection might spread to brain. Furunculosis is refractory disease and the treatment takes a long time. Sadly, not all of up-to-date treatment methods are equally effective for all patients.
Furunculosis symptoms:
- Purulent skin rash,
- Swollen regional lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy),
- Affected skin becomes red, swollen, painful to touch,
- Throbbing pain, tingling of affected area,
- Hard red protuberant nodule with yellow top,
- Fever,
- Loss of appetite.
Treatment of furunculosis
If you notice even one boil on your body, it is very important to seek for a dermatologist’s help, especially if boils appear on face. Usually, local treatment is prescribed. A maturing boil and surrounding skin is cleaned with disinfectant twice a day. In some cases, this is sufficient for furuncle to stop growing.
Following natural remedies are worth giving a try; they boost immune system and prevent forming new furuncles:
- Propol is rich in microelements. This product increases body resistance to various diseases, including furunculosis. Infusion is prepared this way: 2-3 propolis pills are put into 250g of vodka; the container is tightly closed and kept for a week in a dry dark place. It is advisable to consume 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
- Celandine cleans toxic waste from body. These herbs may be obtained from a pharmacy. Chop them and use for 30 days (on an empty stomach in the morning by putting some on a knife tip and drinking it with water).
- Fish oil has a lot of vitamin D and fatty acids, which positively influence immune system.
- Beer yeast is very rich in vitamin B and stimulates healing processes.
- Onions. Chop one onion using an electric shredder, cover it with a glass of boiled water and keep for 2 hours. Take 2-3 sips three times a day. Onions must be prepared freshly every day and cannot be kept for the next time.
- Aloes. Take a piece of a leaf and eat it. You may consume it together with water.
- Emotional control. Even though it is the last point on this list, emotional control is as important as other listed measures in order to manage furunculosis. Psycho-emotional condition influences development of the disease. Learn to isolate yourself from others’ problems and negative people.
All these measures boost immune system, are harmless and suit for treating furunculosis as well as preventing it. However, some furunculosis cases require more serious treatment methods to be applied. Dermatologists usually prescribe treatment with antibiotics in combination with vitamins or food supplements. In severe furunculosis, surgery is necessary. A cornerstone in treating furunculosis is recognition and avoidance of risk factors.
