How to treat suppurative skin infections

Skin infection with suppuration indicates that the disease is quite serious and has many causes. The most common ones are folliculitis, furuncle, acute cellulitis, etc. In addition, acute lymphangitis is also relatively common. Patients with such symptoms should be treated in time and take anti-inflammatory measures in time. External application of Chinese medicine, closure methods, etc. can be used for treatment. In more serious cases, incision and drainage can be used for treatment to clean the wound.

How to treat suppurative skin infections

1. Local general treatment

① Immobilize and elevate the affected limb;

② Local hot compress or ultraviolet irradiation and other physical therapy;

③ Apply Chinese medicine externally;

④ Blockade therapy;

⑤Radiotherapy;

⑥ If the local area has become purulent and ulcerated, the dressing should be changed appropriately.

2. Use effective antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat and detoxification as appropriate

The above drugs were used until body temperature and blood count returned to normal for 3 days and then stopped. Penicillin and aminoglycosides can be used as options. In severe cases, second- and third-generation cephalosporins can be given. When mixed anaerobic infection is suspected, anti-anaerobic drugs such as metronidazole can be added. If necessary, adjust the use of sensitive drugs according to the results of bacterial sensitivity tests.

3. Incision and drainage

When an abscess is formed, incision and drainage should be performed promptly. During incision and drainage, the following matters should be noted:

① Incision and drainage should be performed after the infection is localized to prevent the spread of infection.

② For deep abscesses, puncture should be performed before surgery to determine the location and depth of the abscess.

③ The incision site should be at the lowest point of the lesion to facilitate drainage, and the incision direction should be parallel to the large blood vessels and nerve trunks deep inside. Start with a small incision, use your fingers to find the exact extent of the abscess, then expand it as needed, and make a cross-incision for drainage if necessary.

④ The drainage material should not be packed too tightly (unless the wound is bleeding continuously) to avoid hindering drainage. It should be properly fixed and its number and location should be accurately recorded.

⑤ When the carbuncle is incised and drained, the two ends of the incision should extend slightly beyond the edge of the inflammation and reach the deep fascia.

4. Thorough debridement and removal of necrotic tissue

For some serious special infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal necrosis, extensive and thorough debridement should be performed, the skin should be incised and the free flap should be fully infiltrated to remove the necrotic tissue of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia as much as possible, and skin grafting should be performed after the infection is controlled and the wound is clean.