Nasal furuncle

A Nasal furuncle Not only does it interfere with the aesthetics of the face, it can also be extremely painful, depending on its size and maturity. Appropriate and timely treatment usually leads to quick and uncomplicated healing.

What is a nasal furuncle?

A Nasal furuncle usually arises from an inflammation of the hair follicles at the tip of the nose or the nasal entrance. Hair follicles are parts of the hair roots and are also called hair follicles. If such a hair follicle becomes infected, it is called folliculitis.

The nasal bridge, bridge of the nose and upper lip can also be affected by a nasal follicle. A central plug of pus is surrounded by a red, painful, and hard swelling that can be several centimeters in size.

causes

A purulent inflammation of the hair follicles is mostly triggered by staphylococci, but other bacteria or even fungi can also act as pathogens.

By minimally damaging the skin, the pathogens can penetrate deeper tissues, where they cause inflammation. Scratching or squeezing can exacerbate minor inflammation and spread to surrounding tissue. If the tissue in the center of the inflammation festers and liquefies, a Nasal furuncle.

If several adjacent hair follicles become inflamed, this is called carbuncle. People with immune deficiencies such as diabetes mellitus, an immune deficiency, HIV infection or other chronic infections are at an increased risk of boils.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

A nasal furuncle is an inflamed lump in the area of ​​the nose. The growth can appear in the nose or on the nose, depending on the underlying cause. Typically, a boil does not cause any major discomfort. However, those affected feel slight pain and a feeling of pressure in the affected area.

The boil and the surrounding area are hot to the touch and very reddened. A nasal furuncle can reach a size of a few millimeters to two centimeters. The growth grows in the course of the disease and fills with pus. After a few days, the boil will eventually open and the fluid will drain away.

If the wound is then not adequately cared for, a boil can form again. There is also a risk of serious infection. Accompanying the local complaints, symptoms of fever such as increased body temperature and fatigue set in with a nasal furuncle.

The sick feel exhausted and are less productive. With small growths there are no accompanying symptoms. The boil then often regresses without perforation. Only in isolated cases does the growth cause serious complications such as superinfection or sepsis.

Diagnosis & course

A Nasal furuncle is easy to recognize by the reddened, swollen and painful region of the nose. The affected area is also extremely sensitive to pressure and tense.

The pain worsens when speaking or chewing. It all starts with a small red pustule with a hair in the middle. The pustule can grow into a boil. Fever and a general feeling of illness can accompany the illness. The doctor may perform an endoscopy, which means that he examines the inside of the nose with an endoscope.

Serious, sometimes life-threatening complications can arise if the inflammation spreads along the veins towards the eyes and ultimately to the brain. This can cause a blood clot to form in the cerebral veins. The pressure inside the brain increases, which can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, impaired consciousness and seizures. In the worst case, a thrombosis in the cerebral veins leads to a stroke.An ultrasound scan may be performed to rule out thrombosis.

Furthermore, the spread of the pus pathogen to the brain can lead to meningitis or phlebitis. Another possible complication is blood poisoning if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. The lymph vessels can also become inflamed and swell painfully.

Complications

A nasal furuncle is an irritation of the nasal mucous membranes, which can lead to redness and inflammation. Of course, various complications are possible with a nasal furuncle, which may even need to be assessed by an appropriate doctor. If a boil in the nose is not taken care of by a doctor, serious complications are inevitable.

In most cases, there is a lot of itching, so constant scratching can even cause an open wound. If an open wound has already developed, there is an acute risk of inflammation. Extreme caution should be exercised with this complication, as pus can form under certain circumstances. If pus fluid can be seen in the open wound, then a visit to the doctor should not be postponed.

If there is no treatment, in the worst case scenario blood poisoning can occur. Such blood poisoning is associated with considerable complications, so that in the worst case scenario it can even lead to death. The complications mentioned above can be avoided at an early stage with appropriate medication. It is therefore advisable to see a doctor in good time.

When should you go to the doctor?

Normally, a doctor is not required for a nasal furuncle. The skin change is perceived as unpleasant, but heals itself within a few days. If there are no further complications, no visit to the doctor is necessary. Reddening of the skin and slight swelling are part of the natural course of the disease. If the boil opens independently within a few days and then heals quickly, there is no worrying condition. If the symptoms increase or severely restrict the person affected, medical advice should be sought.

A doctor should also be consulted in the event of increased body temperature, fatigue, tiredness or a sensitivity disorder. If light touches are perceived as unpleasant or if the symptoms arise in a resting position, this indicates a health impairment that needs to be diagnosed and treated. A doctor should be presented with an unusual taste in the mouth, persistent formation of pus, or breathing disorders. In severe cases, without medical care, the person concerned is threatened with blood poisoning and thus a potential threat to his or her life.

Treatment & Therapy

Lots Nasal furuncle heal on their own after a few days and do not require any treatment. More stubborn nasal furuncles are treated with antibiotics that fight the bacterial pathogens.

The active ingredient is administered as an ointment, in tablet form or, in severe cases, as an infusion. At the same time, the nose and upper lip must be kept as calm as possible. The patient should therefore speak as little as possible or not at all and should not chew, which is why only pulpy foods may be eaten for a certain period of time.

Cooling alcohol-based compresses will reduce the swelling. In addition, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered. If necessary, the hair at the nasal entrance is shortened. Alternative treatment methods are germ-inhibiting herbal or zinc-containing ointments, as well as homeopathic remedies to strengthen the immune system and stimulate the self-healing powers. The nasal furuncle should never be touched or even scratched and squeezed out, as otherwise the bacteria can spread in the tissue.

If the nasal furuncle is very large or if complications arise, hospitalization is required. Surgical intervention may be necessary. The nasal furuncle is cut open so that the pus can drain away. Blood-thinning medications prevent blood clots from forming. To prevent the pathogens from reaching the brain, the facial vein at the inner corner of the eye can be temporarily blocked.

Outlook & forecast

A nasal furuncle heals quickly with timely treatment. Large boils sometimes leave a small, indented scar. Rarely does the inflammation spread and cause complications. Especially with a weak immune system, there is a risk of a major infection and subsequent symptoms such as inflammation of the lymph nodes or inflammation of the lymphatic tract. Sepsis can also develop as a result of a nasal fury.

Boils on the face can cause eye sockets or meningitis. In principle, however, the prognosis is that the boil will heal quickly. The patient is usually symptom-free after a few weeks, provided that he takes the prescribed medication and properly cared for the boil. Then the boil opens and the contents come out. Then the inflammation subsides and the symptoms subside.

Squeezing or squeezing the boil increases the risk of infection and scarring. A nasal furuncle that does not heal well often develops into furuncolosis, chronic boils, which permanently damage the skin and nerves and can cause scars. The quality of life is only temporarily restricted by a nasal furuncle. A boil that heals normally has no long-term effects on wellbeing.

prevention

First measure to prevent Nasal furuncles is a pronounced hygiene. Especially those who are prone to pimples should change bed linen and towels regularly. If you suffer from diabetes, you should always ensure that your blood sugar level is well adjusted to prevent nasal furrows. After shaving your face, it is advisable to disinfect it with, for example, aftershave or facial toner.

Aftercare

Once the nasal furuncle has healed, follow-up measures become important. These are to be agreed with the attending physician so as not to provoke a new outbreak of the disease or cause other complaints. First of all, it is important to successfully complete the healing process and strengthen the weakened immune system. A vitamin-rich diet is helpful, as is the support of the intestinal flora after antibiotic therapy.

In the area of ​​the healed boil, ointments can help avoid or reduce unsightly scarring. Follow-up care also includes rethinking hygiene in the face and nose area and changing it if necessary in order to prevent nasal fuzziness in the future. Ideally, patients should avoid touching their faces unnecessarily, especially if their hands are not freshly washed.

Because through such behavior, pathogens get to the nose and can cause a new boil. It is especially important for men to adjust their hygiene after shaving. Aftershaves with alcohol disinfect the skin and prevent infections. In the case of a nasal furuncle that is full of complications, follow-up care also includes attending an appointment with the doctor and ruling out infections in the brain.

Tests of the blood values ​​a few weeks after the nasal furuncle has healed can be useful for this purpose. As soon as the first signs of a new boil appear, patients see a doctor immediately.

You can do that yourself

In the case of nasal furuncles, regular rinsing of the nose with chamomile can alleviate the symptoms. In addition, inhalation with chamomile flowers or nettle is recommended. Depending on the severity and intensity of the symptoms present, both measures can be taken several times a day. At the same time, they prevent nasal secretions from becoming encrusted and encourage breathing. A vessel with freshly chopped onions and garlic can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the person concerned. A few deep breaths of the vegetables have a healing effect.

Cleaning the nose should be carried out carefully and regularly. In doing so, you should refrain from applying strong pressure when snorting out, so that no further damage to the vessels or nasal walls occurs. At the same time, pulling up the nasal secretion should be avoided. Staying in a dusty environment or in air enriched with pollutants is not recommended. They promote the delivery of tiny particles into the nose, which can lead to a deterioration in the state of health.

In order to prevent the mucous membranes from drying out, it is necessary to consume sufficient fluids. Compresses that are placed on the bridge of the nose are also helpful. The compresses can be soaked in healing clay, chamomile or nettle tea and applied several times a day for several minutes. A few drops of tea tree oil can be added to support the effect.