Pustular skin diseases: how to avoid them?
Our skin not only protects the body from the action of the external environment, it participates in the processes of respiration, metabolism, thermoregulation, etc. Like other organs, the skin often “hurts”. One of the common skin diseases (dermatoses) are pustular skin diseases (pyoderma). Most often they are caused by staphylococci or streptococci. But in some people, a boil that has jumped on the skin is something out of the ordinary, while in others, especially in children, pyoderma occurs quite often.
Why do pus lesions appear on the skin?
What is pyoderma, not everyone knows. But the word “furuncle” or purulent pimple “is familiar to all. In fact, there are quite a few pustular skin lesions and, depending on the microbes that caused the disease, the forms of the disease itself, etc., the name of each of these ailments is different. But let’s see what factors influence the development of pyoderma, what to do if there is a pustular formation on the skin and how to avoid it.
In order for a pustular formation to appear on a smooth area of the skin or around the hair follicle, the role is not only played by the microbe itself. As well as a number of reasons that change the protective function of the skin. In children, pustular skin lesions occur more often, since their skin is more tender, and the lipid mantle (the natural protective skin of the skin) is not yet mature enough. In general, such factors contribute to the occurrence of pyoderma:
Already existing diseases – diabetes, diseases of the digestive system, etc.
External factors that traumatize the skin: abrasions, burrs, cracks, which become the entrance gate for infection
Work in hazardous production, in which the skin is often in contact with machine oils, petroleum products, etc.
Both hypothermia and overheating: from frozen hands without gloves to general freezing in the cold
Long-term medication treatment that suppresses immunity.
What to do if an abscess appeared on the skin?
If a pustular process appeared on the skin: a large furuncle, an incomprehensible spot, covered with a crust, the skin just flushed, inflamed, looks edematous, etc., the most reasonable thing is to consult a dermatologist. Do not squeeze the purulent contents yourself: the specialist should deal with the removal of such formations taking into account a number of factors. On your own, you risk aggravating the condition even more, contributing to the further spread of infection, injuring the skin, etc. Remember that bacterial skin lesions cannot be cured with herbs. Often, pustular skin diseases occur with increasing temperature, worsening of the general condition.
Treatment of pyoderma will depend on the type of the disease: in some cases, the use of local therapy is sufficient – ointments, etc. But sometimes it is necessary to undergo a course of antibiotics in conjunction with local treatment, physiotherapy, etc. If you notice that the pustules on the skin began to appear more often, it is important to consult a general practitioner and an endocrinologist. And in the case of recurring conditions – the immunologist.
Prevention of pyoderma in adults and children
To avoid pustular skin lesions, it is important to maintain personal and general hygiene, not to overheat and not to overcool, to eat fully and regularly, to strengthen the immune system. It is important for children’s skin to pay more attention, to use means for its protection, especially in young children who are prone to diaper rash. It is important when receiving skin injury, even the smallest, to process it. Do not allow the disease to become chronic, as chronic infections can also lead to pustular skin lesions.