Various injuries to the skin are called wounds. Most often they are harmless and can be treated at home. But sometimes even minor damage to the skin leads to inflammation. Often suppuration occurs on the arms or legs, especially in the warm season. Various skin lesions can become inflamed due to poor hygiene, reduced immunity, or the presence of chronic diseases. In some cases, self-treatment of purulent wounds on the legs does not help, and it has to be done in a hospital. It is very important to notice the appearance of pus in time and use the drugs necessary to remove it. If this is not done, inflammation can lead to the development of various complications.
What is a purulent wound?
This is damage to the skin, accompanied by the development of pathogenic microorganisms in it. Pus begins to form in the wound, swelling and redness are observed around it. The tissues are painful and often hot to the touch. A dull throbbing pain is felt, often severe. In severe cases, local symptoms are accompanied by general ones: increased body temperature, intoxication of the body, headache.
In what cases should you consult a surgeon?
An abscess on the finger near the nail (the doctor will tell you how to treat and restore the skin) does not go away for a long time, first aid does not give positive results, then you need to visit a surgeon.
Also, you cannot delay seeking high-quality specialized medical care if:
- your health has significantly deteriorated (weakness, lethargy, and fever have appeared);
- a tugging or aching pain appeared in the damaged area;
- the damaged finger is greatly enlarged in size (swollen or a tumor appears on it);
- the skin around the abscess was noticeably red.
Also, professional help from a surgeon will be required when pus begins to actively accumulate under the nail (both in the subcutaneous tissue and under the nail fold).
The specialist will prescribe a series of tests and examinations that will help identify the type, stage and degree of development of the disease.
Diagnostics includes:
- visual examination (drawing up a clinical picture);
- patient interview (existing symptoms are determined);
An abscess on a finger near the nail. Before treating it yourself, you should consult a doctor.
- material is collected for a smear (required to determine medications in the treatment program);
- X-ray examination (the damaged limb is examined to exclude destruction of bone tissue);
- Blood is taken for analysis (general). The number of leukocytes is determined, ESR indicators are recorded - this is required in order to identify the degree of intensity of the inflammatory reaction;
It is also recommended to undergo a diagnostic examination to rule out the presence of diabetes.
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Causes of purulent wounds
The inflammatory process can develop due to infection of the wound. This occurs due to infection entering the wound. This happens very often in the summer, especially if the skin on the legs is damaged. The appearance of a purulent process can also occur after surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to perform operations in the cold season and observe sterility in caring for the patient. Such purulent wounds are called secondary. But there are also primary wounds. They are characterized by breakthrough of the internal abscess without external damage to the skin. It could be an abscess, phlegmon or a regular boil.
Such wounds are treated mainly with surgical opening and antibiotics. The appearance of a purulent process is influenced by the age and state of the patient’s immunity, the presence of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, in which suppuration very often develops. Most often, purulent wounds appear in older people who are overweight and weakened by disease. Treatment at home will be difficult in this case.
Antibiotics and folk remedies in the treatment of a purulent wound on the leg
Signs of the formation of purulent wounds
A purulent wound on the leg means damage to an area of the skin into which bacteria have entered and infection has begun. Most often, inflammation becomes possible due to staphylococci and streptococci. Penetrating into the cut, they begin to form their own microflora, which is what causes suppuration. As a result, dead skin particles accumulate in the wound and bacteria actively multiply.
Purulent inflammations on the leg are characterized by the following symptoms:
- There is swelling and redness of the skin around the wound.
- The site of injury is painful and hot to the touch.
- There is a throbbing pain inside the cut.
- If treatment is not undertaken, intoxication of the body begins to develop. A person develops fever and weakness.
Leaving purulent wounds on the leg without treatment is very dangerous. This can lead to serious consequences for human health, such as abscess and sepsis.
The most severe and unpleasant type of suppuration is a wound on the toes. Under the influence of bacteria, the finger swells, and a blister filled with pus appears on the back side of the lesion. If the abscess continues to grow, it is advisable to consult a doctor for surgical help.
Purulent inflammations under the nail and on the toes require a special approach to treatment. If medical attention is not promptly provided, there may be a risk of finger amputation.
How to treat such inflammation should only be determined by a specialist.
Causes of suppuration
There are several causes of infections:
- lack of personal hygiene;
- weakened human immunity;
- work in unfavorable conditions, in dirt, dust;
- poor nutrition, lack of vitamins;
- disturbance of metabolic processes in the body.
Infection may occur after surgery. In this regard, planned operations are never scheduled for the summer period. If the operations are emergency, it is necessary to carefully treat the injury site.
There is a type of secondary purulent wounds on the leg. They refer to boils and abscesses. As a rule, the occurrence of such inflammation is directly affected by human health.
Boils appear in people with reduced immunity and diabetes mellitus. Purulent wounds on the legs develop faster in older patients.
Secondary purulent inflammations are treated only with surgery.
Treatment tactics
Treating a purulent wound on the leg at home is very dangerous. As a rule, after receiving an abrasion or scratch, people rarely go to the doctor. But even a small cut can cause major complications if not treated correctly.
How to cure a purulent wound on the leg? Treatment should combine a combination of drug therapy and lifestyle changes. Much attention should be paid to the patient’s nutrition, since the development of suppuration can be provoked by a lack of essential nutrients in the body.
Treatment of a purulent wound on the leg should be carried out with the aim of:
- Removing purulent masses from the wound.
- Reduce swelling and relieve inflammation.
- Fighting germs.
To treat purulent wounds on the legs, agents are most often used that improve the nutrition of damaged tissues, normalize blood circulation, and restore metabolic processes in the body. For this purpose, the following enzymes are used:
- chymopsin;
- chymotrypsin;
- Terrilitin.
In severe cases, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. At the initial stage of inflammation, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used. After bacterial culture, medications can be replaced. They are prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, and injections.
To treat wounds on the leg with a large accumulation of pus, bandages with Furacilin solution are used, and the affected area is washed with antiseptic agents.
If a tumor with pus on the leg does not open on its own for a long time, it is necessary to urgently contact a specialist.
The surgeon will cut the pus, clean the wound and place a drain in the cavity, which will further facilitate the release of pus. In some cases, a swab soaked in antibiotics is inserted into the wound cavity.
In addition, it is necessary to take a course of vitamins and take measures to improve immunity.
If your toe is festering, you can relieve inflammation with potassium permanganate baths. The solution should be weak, light pink in color. After the procedure, a bandage with ointment is applied to the treated finger. Your doctor will recommend how to treat wounds on your legs. Most often, Levomekol ointment is applied to the damaged area.
Phases of development of the wound process
Features of the treatment of a purulent wound depend on the stage of its healing. Most often, there are two phases of the wound process:
- at the first stage it is necessary to eliminate swelling, remove dead tissue, and also eliminate hemorrhage and inflammation;
- at the second stage, tissue regeneration and scar formation occur. The healing of purulent wounds at this time can be accelerated by the use of special medications. Modern medications help to regenerate tissue faster without the formation of a very noticeable scar.
Why can trophic ulcers occur in diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that requires not only constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and diet, but also preventive courses of treatment for its possible neurovascular complications. This is necessary because in diabetes mellitus, damage to the vascular walls and nerve endings occurs due to metabolic disorders, lack of oxygen in the tissues and an excess of toxic products of carbohydrate metabolism.
Of course, this happens faster and is more pronounced with high blood sugar and ketoacidosis: both are observed, as a rule, when diabetes is detected at a very late stage. This most often occurs in type 2 diabetes.
Also, ketoacidosis and high blood sugar levels occur if patients do not take their disease seriously and do not pay enough attention to controlling their blood sugar levels or do so inconsistently. And then sometimes it is a trophic ulcer that turns out to be the first sign that will force you to suspect the seriousness of the disease and the unacceptability of not controlling your condition.
What else should people with diabetes know? That from the moment the disease is diagnosed, they must take very good care of their feet, since it is the foot in diabetes that is the “weakest link” in relation to the occurrence of trophic ulcers. Sometimes the slightest injury to the skin of the foot is enough for it to turn into a non-healing wound, that is, into a trophic ulcer.
Why is this happening? Because with long-term diabetes, its complications arise - diabetic angiopathy (damage to small vessels) and diabetic neuropathy (damage to small nerve endings). All together leads to tissue deterioration and the formation of the so-called diabetic foot, which is prone to the formation of not only trophic ulcers, but even gangrene, which competent care helps to resist, not least of all.
Purulent wound - treatment
Ointments for quick healing are now available to everyone. Therefore, treatment can also take place at home. But if the inflammation is not dealt with in time, serious complications may arise. Proper treatment of purulent wounds on the legs includes several areas:
- Treatment of the wound - removal of pus, dirt and dead skin.
— Relieving inflammation, swelling and soreness of the skin.
- Fighting bacteria.
— Acceleration of wound healing and stimulation of tissue scarring.
— General treatment aimed at increasing immunity and combating intoxication. It consists of taking immunomodulatory and vitamin preparations.
In severe cases, treatment of purulent wounds on the legs may require surgical intervention: opening and cleansing the source of inflammation, and sometimes amputation.
Treatment of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus
Treatment of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus is carried out taking into account the stage of the wound process and only under the supervision of a physician. Patients are prescribed bed or semi-bed rest, a balanced diet enriched with vitamins, minerals and protein, and constant monitoring of blood sugar levels under the supervision of the attending endocrinologist. If it is not possible to correct blood sugar levels on an outpatient basis (or in irresponsible patients), it is better to do this in an endocrinology hospital.
Let us remind you once again: in case of diabetes mellitus, treatment of any foot injuries should be carried out after consultation in a specialized diabetic foot department or in a podiatry office organized specifically for patients with diabetes mellitus. You cannot undergo treatment at your own risk!
How to properly treat a wound?
Proper care of the affected area of skin is very important for faster healing and prevention of complications. In mild cases, you can do this yourself. Treatment of purulent wounds is carried out 1-2 times a day and includes:
— Thorough disinfection of hands and tools used for this is most often done with alcohol.
— Removing the old bandage. Moreover, this must be done extremely carefully, and when the bandage dries, it must be soaked with Chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.
- Carefully remove pus from inside the wound, treat its edges with an antiseptic in the direction from it to the edges and dry with a sterile swab. Sometimes it is recommended to lubricate the edges of the wound with brilliant green or iodine.
— Applying a medicinal product or a napkin moistened with it. If the wound is very deep, tampons or drainage are inserted into it for better drainage of pus.
- Cover the wound with several layers of sterile gauze and secure it with an adhesive plaster or bandage. It is necessary to ensure that there is air access to the wound, otherwise an anaerobic infection may develop.
If the patient’s condition is serious, open purulent wounds are treated 3-4 times a day, each time leaving them in the air for 20-30 minutes.
Abscess on the leg: what is it and what are its causes?
A pimple on the leg with redness around it - what could it be? There are several options and reasons why such ulcers appear. Let's look at them separately.
Furuncle
A furuncle on the leg, or boil, is a purulent formation that forms in the area of the hair follicle. The cause of its appearance, as noted earlier, is a staphylococcal or streptococcal infection. Its penetration into the underlying layers of the skin can be facilitated by numerous factors, ranging from wounds and scratches to dangerous diseases - AIDS, diabetes and others.
How do purulent acne appear on the legs? The boil does not form immediately, but some time after the penetration of the bacterial infection. First, redness appears in the affected area, possibly a slight burning sensation and itching. Then the inflamed area begins to hurt and “tug” from the inside. This is precisely the first signal that pus begins to accumulate in the hair follicle.
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After 2-3 days, a rod is formed in the affected area - a capsule filled with pus. After its appearance, the site of inflammation must be treated with an antiseptic (Chlorhexidine or Miramistin) and covered with a sterile gauze bandage.
Depending on the situation, you can speed up the release of pus using folk remedies. But if this was not possible, you must immediately make an appointment with a surgeon.
Abscess
An abscess on the leg in most cases is a complication of an untreated boil. This is a very painful and more dangerous disease, which is also caused by pathogenic microflora. Read more about abscesses at the link https://skinadvice.ru/abstsess.html
On a note. It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “boil” and “abscess”. Abscesses on the legs, which are boils, have a core and clearly defined boundaries. At the same time, elevated body temperature is not always observed. If it rises, then its values do not exceed 38 degrees. An abscess of the lower leg or other part of the leg is a diffuse purulent inflammation that does not have clear boundaries. The affected area also varies. With furunculosis, inflammation develops in the hair follicle, sebaceous and sweat glands. But with an abscess, the pathological process affects the soft tissues of the lower limb.
Carbuncle
Pus on the leg that has accumulated in the form of grouped boils is called a carbuncle. It has the same symptoms as boils, but is more difficult for patients to tolerate. It is usually treated surgically, but special ointments or folk remedies can be used to speed up the maturation of ulcers.
Antibiotics for purulent wounds
In severe cases, antibacterial drugs are used to prevent the development of general blood infection and more quickly clear the wound from infection. If their use is required at the first stage, when the pathogen is still unknown, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. They can be used in the form of tablets, injections and topical solutions or ointments. Only a doctor should prescribe an antibacterial drug after taking an analysis for the causative agent of the infection. After all, the inflammatory process can be caused not only by common staphylococci or streptococci, but also by Xibella, Proteus, E. coli and even Shigella and Salmonella. Most often, sulfonamide antibiotics are used for purulent wounds; an emulsion of streptocide and sulfidine is applied externally. The most well-known antibacterial drug is penicillin.
Main difficulties
Why not prescribe them to all patients, then you won’t even have to go to the hospital to prescribe treatment? The fact is that in addition to the indications, each of the drugs has a number of contraindications. Some patients will find it difficult to endure and drink the entire course of the prescribed medication. This is primarily due to the fact that it affects the liver and kidneys, and the organs of the digestive tract. Of course, when it comes to saving a life, you don’t have to choose. In this case, the doctor usually administers the drug using a dropper.
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External remedies for relieving inflammation
At the first stage of development of the purulent process, it is recommended to use water-soluble products and ointments; it is better if they contain antibiotics. The most commonly used are Levomekol, Levosin and others.
Treatment of purulent wounds on the legs can be complicated by the fact that inflammation is caused by many microorganisms, often even a fungus is involved. Therefore, it is advisable to use complex products, for example, Iruksol. Antiseptic solutions are often used to treat wounds. The most famous of them - “Furacilin”, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate sometimes turn out to be ineffective due to the appearance of microorganisms resistant to their action. New drugs are now being produced: “Dioxidin”, “Iodopirone”, “Sodium Hydrochloride” and others.
What does a trophic ulcer look like in diabetes mellitus?
Trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus most often occur on the nail phalanges of the toes. Sometimes - on the heels. And, as a rule, the occurrence of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus is facilitated by corns, microtraumas when wearing uncomfortable shoes or as a result of an unsuccessful pedicure, foot burns, abrasions, etc. As a result, even such small lesions do not heal within a few weeks, but become larger and deeper, turning into a trophic ulcer.
Features and differences of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus are as follows:
- If the ulcer is small, there may be very severe pain that gets worse at night. Although a polar state is also possible: with a trophic ulcer with severe diabetic polyneuropathy, there may be no pain even with large and deep trophic ulcers. Both are hallmarks of diabetic trophic ulcers.
- A trophic ulcer in diabetic angiopathy and polyneuropathy does not heal on its own.
- Trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus can deepen and turn into gangrene, requiring amputation. Therefore, prevention and treatment of trophic ulcers in diabetes mellitus is extremely important and should be carried out immediately after identifying a trophic ulcer and diabetes mellitus as such.
It is important to remember that trophic ulcers can appear in a patient both with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and with varicose veins. Therefore, additional studies should always be carried out (blood test for sugar, general urine test, Doppler examination of the vessels of the legs, etc.) to detect the true cause of the trophic ulcer and prescribe effective treatment.
Folk remedies
The healing of purulent wounds during the regeneration stage can be accelerated with various herbs and other home remedies. They are used both to treat the affected surface and to strengthen the immune system. Most often, non-serious purulent wounds occur. Treatment at home is possible if the focus of inflammation is small and there is no general intoxication. Often folk remedies are also used in medical institutions, due to the fact that many bacteria have developed resistance to drugs, and they are also safer. But their use is permissible only in mild cases, with a small affected area. How can you treat a wound?
— The alcohol tincture of Sophora japonica or calendula is most often used.
- Treat the wound with fresh juice of aloe, plantain leaves or burdock.
— For lotions, you can use gruel from grated carrots, radishes, beets or cut onions.
— It is recommended to wash wounds with infusion of periwinkle, calamus roots, eucalyptus leaves or calendula decoction.
— You can prepare an ointment for healing purulent wounds: mix powder from the herb sedum with Vaseline or honey with lard and xeroform. A mixture of goat fat, salt and grated onions works well to cleanse the wound of pus.
To improve tissue regeneration during the wound healing process, fish oil and sea buckthorn oil are used.
Causes
Violation of the integrity of the skin, accompanied by inflammatory symptoms and the formation of purulent exudate, is usually called a purulent wound. Any injury with damage to the skin is an entry point for the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms, which are present everywhere.
The penetration of pyogenic bacteria complicates the course of the pathological process, complicating treatment and increasing the recovery period.
Factors predisposing to the formation of a festering wound:
- violation of sterile conditions during dressing;
- failure to comply with personal hygiene rules leads to the proliferation of microbes on the skin;
- decrease in the body's defenses;
- getting sand or earth into an open wound;
- contact of the damaged surface with dirty clothing;
- endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
- being in polluted, dusty places;
- hormonal changes (menopause in women);
- involutive (age-related) processes in elderly people.
Complications from purulent wounds
If treatment is not started on time or the affected area is treated incorrectly, complications may develop, or the purulent process becomes chronic. Why are purulent wounds dangerous?
— Lymphangitis or lymphadenitis, that is, inflammation of the lymph nodes, may develop.
— Sometimes thrombophlebitis appears, especially with purulent wounds on the legs.
- Pus can spread and cause periostatitis, osteomelitis, abscess or cellulitis.
- In the most severe cases, sepsis develops, which can be fatal.
Symptoms
Common signs of a boil are:
Depending on the location of the purulent process, the boil has some distinctive features in the clinical picture of the disease:
1. On the face. Boils in this area immediately become noticeable and cause great discomfort to patients.
Located in the nose, ear, lips or eye, they cause severe pain when trying to laugh, eat, talk, or wash. In addition, the venous vessels on the face are very close to the surface of the skin and any injury to the boil can lead to the spread of microbes through the blood vessels and the occurrence of thrombosis or sepsis.
2. On the body. Boils often occur on the butt, thigh, or armpit. In the first case, painful sensations occur in patients while sitting and wearing tight trousers, and in the second - when moving the arm and touching the armpit. Patients may be concerned about general weakness, fever, nausea and dizziness.
A boil on the leg or groin is manifested by pain in these areas, itching and twitching sensations, the discomfort usually increases during active movements, walking, squatting or bending.
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Boils on the body are dangerous due to complications such as regional lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes) or lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels).
3. On the genitals. Boils in intimate places in women and men occur against the background of the proliferation of bacterial flora in the ducts of the glands responsible for moisturizing the reproductive organs (Bartholin's, Cooper's). Infection can also occur during shaving or depilation of hair in the perineum.
Boils on the labia and penis cause severe pain during urination, sexual intercourse, taking hygiene procedures and even wearing underwear. Complications of this process can include inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, urethritis, colpitis, vaginitis, prostatitis).
Treatment of an abscess
How to heal a wound if there is no pus coming out? Therapeutic actions depend on the stage of suppuration. In the initial manifestations, when the swelling is just beginning to appear, it is recommended to apply a compress, which can have a resolving effect on the beginning purulent process.
If time is lost and the abscess has already formed, the medicinal composition will help speed up the maturation and natural evacuation of purulent exudate.
For the medicinal base of the compress you will need: 2 ml of Analgin, 2 ml of Diphenhydramine, 5 ml of Dioxidine, 5 ml of Dexamethasone. All components are mixed, a gauze napkin must be placed in the medicinal composition and distributed on the abscess.
Using a spatula or spatula, apply a thin layer of ointment that draws out pus from a closed wound (Vishnevsky’s liniment) onto a gauze napkin soaked in the medicine, fixing it with cling film on top. Bandage the compress on top and leave for several hours.
How to treat a wound after opening an abscess? While pus or clear liquid continues to flow from the wound, it is recommended to apply an ointment that draws out pus (Ichthyol ointment) during dressings. When the wound is completely clean, you can use antibacterial ointments (Levomekol), which promote healing of the purulent wound.
Treating an abscess at home
If treatment is carried out at home, the speed of recovery depends on proper treatment of the abscess. Successful therapy consists of following the treatment steps, creating antiseptic conditions during dressing so that a secondary infection does not occur.
How to properly treat a purulent wound yourself at home? Processing and dressing algorithm:
- Wash and wipe your hands with a disinfectant solution. Alcohol wipes and antiseptic hand gels are used as an antiseptic.
- Remove dressing material. It is forbidden to tear off the bandage so as not to injure the affected area. The bandage is cut with scissors, a gauze cloth can be moistened with an antiseptic solution and wait a little, then carefully remove the old bandage.
- Wipe the area around the inflammation with a cotton pad soaked in antiseptic. Movements during processing should be directed from the periphery to the cut.
- Apply liberally to the damaged surface with hydrogen peroxide or an aqueous solution of chlorhexedine.
- Accumulated pus and necrotic tissue should be carefully removed using cotton pads.
- Dry the affected surface with blotting movements using sterile gauze wipes.
- Prepare an antibacterial solution, moisten a napkin in it and apply it to the abrasion, cover with clean napkins on top and secure with an adhesive plaster or bandage.
