Boils on the chin
introduction
A boil is a deep-seated, usually very painful inflammation of the hair follicle and the surrounding skin tissue. The cause of these inflammatory processes are usually bacteria from the staphylococcus group. More precisely, it is the well-known Staphylococcus aureus, a germ that is also found on healthy skin and is therefore part of the normal skin environment.
In the course of the inflammatory changes, a boil (for example on the chin) develops Sinking of tissue (Necrosis) and then to melt down the dead cells. It arises pus. Over time, the accumulation of pus located under the skin grows so much that the Skin surface by a thief Pus plug is broken. In medical terminology, this process is called "spontaneous opening".
Such a spontaneous opening can result in the development of an unsightly scar (for example on the chin). Boils can generally develop on any part of the body that has hair roots. However, boils are rarely seen in the scalp area. Those skin areas that regularly depilated become. For this reason, men develop boils especially in the face (for example on the chin), chest and back. In women, boils can in most cases be depilated on a regular basis Lower legs observe. A boil on the chin is a rarity for women.
It also can boil for themselves standing alone or in groups arranged arise. A grouped arrangement of several boils within a body region is known as carbuncle. Some of these carbuncles can even interact with one another merge and take on a large-scale character.
Furthermore, it should be noted that boils on most parts of the body rather than harmless can be viewed. On the other hand, in other regions (for example areas of the skin that are above the corner of the mouth-earlobe line) they can cause serious complications, which in the worst case can even lead to death.
Patients who regularly suffer from boils (for example on the chin) or who have extensive carbuncle should in any case consult a dermatologist, i.e. a specialist in dermatology, promptly and initiate a suitable therapy with him.
Causes of a boil on the chin
The main cause of the development of a boil (for example on the chin) is an infection with the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Since this bacterial pathogen is a bacterium that also occurs on healthy skin, it has to find an entry point into deeper layers of the skin.
As a rule, a boil (on the chin) begins to develop as a result of the infection of a hair follicle (synonym: hair follicle). The penetration of the bacterial pathogen triggers inflammatory processes that lead to so-called hair follicle inflammation. During this process certain substances can be excreted by the bacterial pathogens, which lead to a loosening of the cell cohesion. This in turn favors the settlement and spread of the bacteria.
With a boil on the chin, a red pustule with a centrally located pus plug develops over time. As the boil grows, extremely painful areas up to two centimeters can develop. It is believed that the root cause of a boil is self-infection. This assumption is supported by the fact that the responsible Staphylococcus aureus is located both on the skin surface and in the nasopharynx of the healthy person. In addition, other risk factors can promote the development of a boil.
These so-called risk factors include:
- frequent shaving or epilation
- bad skin care
- Diabetes mellitus
- tight-fitting, abrasive clothing
- dry skin
Read more about this under Causes of a boil
Symptoms of a boil on the chin
The main symptoms of a boil (for example on the chin) are noticeable redness, which has a central hair with an adjacent plug of pus. Most patients who suffer from a boil also describe a significant overheating of the affected skin area. Depending on the size and shape of the boil, severe pain can also occur.
diagnosis
In most cases, the diagnosis of a chin boil is a pure one Eye diagnosis. The attending physician can usually conclude that a boil is present when looking at the affected skin area. Nevertheless, before initiating a suitable treatment, an extensive Doctor-patient conversation be performed.
During the conversation should be possible Pre-existing illness and Allergies be disclosed. The presence of familial skin diseases and the frequency with which boils develop on the chin should also be discussed.
The affected body region is then examined by a doctor and, if necessary, a smear is taken.
Therapy for a boil on the chin
Which treatment method is best for a boil depends on its location and the severity of the infection. Uncomplicated boils in a problem-free position, for example on the chin, can in most cases be treated locally. This means that the skin surface of the chin is opened after disinfection and the pus plug is removed. In addition, a boil can be treated with warm compresses after extensive disinfection. In this way the spontaneous opening of the boil is provoked.
In addition, the healing of a boil through the regular application of disinfecting ointments (e.g. ointments with the active ingredient polyvidone iodine) can help to positively influence the healing process. When using disinfecting ointments, great emphasis should be placed on hygiene. Wearing suitable protective gloves and then disinfecting your hands is extremely important.
Read more about the topic: Ointment for a boil
Patients with large boils or carbuncles should also be treated with a systemic antibiotic if necessary. In view of the germ that causes a boil on the chin, penicillin is the first choice antibiotic.
If the boil cannot be treated with conservative methods or if it is very painful, surgical opening is an option. Even after such an operation, an antibiotic must be taken for several days.
Read more on the subject at: Operation of a boil
In the case of a boil on the face in general and on the chin in particular, it is also extremely important that the affected area is moved as little as possible. In special cases it can therefore be important to keep absolute bed rest.
Especially with a boil on the chin, the affected patient should speak as little as possible and only eat soft foods. Boils on the chin are not considered particularly dangerous. Much more worrying is the development of a boil above the upper lip.
Read more on this topic below: Treatment of a boil
Treatment with home remedies
Unfortunately, home remedies do not help against boils and should not be used. In particular, boils on the face and boils on the chin should not be manipulated. It is important not to carry out any measures on your own, otherwise complications threaten.
Thromboses can form, which are particularly dangerous in the facial area. These are blood clots that can clog blood vessels and lead to poorer supply of downstream areas.
Because of these dangers, one should refrain from treatment with home remedies. Home remedies for chin boils can even delay healing. If you suspect a boil on your chin, please see your doctor.
Homeopathic treatment for a boil
The usefulness of homeopathic remedies has not been proven and therefore no recommendations can be made for them. Even among non-medical practitioners working in homeopathy there is no consensus on which remedies should be used for a boil on the chin. There are different instructions for use and also different dosage information, so that no general statements can be made. Since a boil on the chin can lead to complications such as thrombosis, a visit to a doctor is highly recommended. This small abscess will not heal with homeopathic remedies.
For the sake of clarity, however, some homeopathic remedies are listed here that can be given as a supplement: Hepar sulphuris calcareum 30C and Pyrogenium 9C when the boil appears on the chin for the first time; Siegesbeckia orientalis C5 and Tarentula cubensis C5, if the boil has been there recently.
Treatment with creams
Boils on the chin usually appear not treated with creams. The use of Pull ointment is often recommended, but experts are divided as to whether the ointment actually helps. The widespread misconception that draft ointment would allow the abscess to mature has not been conclusively proven. Therefore, the use of pull ointment is now very cautious. Disinfectant sprays and Envelopes Creams are preferable and are used in the treatment of chin boils.
The risks of a boil
Boils that develop in the area of the trunk or the extremities are usually completely uncomplicated and can be dealt with very quickly with suitable treatment measures. A boil on the face does not necessarily have to involve risks. It is generally assumed that a boil, for example in the chin area, is completely harmless.
The situation is different with those boils that arise above the corner of the mouth-earlobe line. With these boils, there is a risk that the causative germs will spread through the bloodstream to the brain. A so-called "sinus venosus thrombosis" can then occur within the brain. This term describes a clinical picture in which a blood clot closes important venous cerebral sinuses. Problematically, this clinical picture remains without symptoms for a long time in 1/3 of the cases, even if it is triggered by a boil above the chin.
In the remaining patients, general symptoms appear first that do not necessarily indicate the presence of a sinus venosus thrombosis caused by a boil, such as Fever. The symptoms only become clearer in later stages. This disease, caused by a boil above the chin, is a potentially life-threatening complication.
What is the prognosis?
With targeted treatment, the prognosis of a boil (for example on the chin) is very good.
How dangerous is a boil on the chin?
Only a doctor can do an examination to determine whether a boil is in a "dangerous" place or not. Boils on the face are therefore trickybecause small blood clots that can block the veins of the face. Such closures are very dangerous because they can obstruct the blood supply to the brain. Therefore, an absolute applies to boils in the facial area Prohibition of manipulation. Boils on the chin also count among the boils of the face and should not be pushed on independently. If they are opened by a doctor or treated professionally, however, they do not pose a great danger.
