Pustules are small pustules on the face
A pustule is an inflammatory acne element, inside of which there is a cavity filled with purulent contents. Its size can reach 10 mm. The shape can be cone-shaped, flat, hemispherical. A pustule can form as an independent element or from a papule. When pustules appear on the face, the cause must be sought in the inflammatory process occurring in the skin.
You can tell that a pustule has formed by looking at the white head of the pimple*. Its contents are usually white, yellowish, and sometimes greenish. The contents of the pustule may dry out, a crust will form on top of it, the fall of which may lead to the appearance of a hyperpigmentation spot.
If even small pustules appear on the face, it is necessary to take action, as they can turn into indurative acne. With this form of acne, inflammation spreads into the deeper layers of the skin. Resolution of such acneous elements may leave behind atrophic scars.32
How to understand that the problem is in the lymph nodes
Among the symptoms indicating damage to the lymph nodes:
- pain in the area where they are located;
- migraine;
- weakness;
- increased body temperature;
- discomfort under the chin;
- unpleasant pulsation in the lower jaw;
- difficulty chewing food;
- swelling noticeable to the naked eye.
If a purulent process develops, the skin in the area of inflammation becomes red and becomes very hot to the touch. Additionally, symptoms characteristic of the disease that provoked the disorder may appear.
Why did pustules appear on the face?
Pimples with purulent contents form against the background of a decrease in the protective function of the epidermal barrier.56
Internal causes that can cause the appearance of pimples* and pustules on the face are56:
- temperature irritants;
- skin contamination;
- dryness of the epidermis;
- exposure to aggressive chemicals, etc.
Endogenous causes include56:
- overwork;
- poor nutrition;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- chronic intoxication;
- reduced immunity;
- endocrine disorders.
Weakening of the antibacterial protection of the skin may be associated with autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
Possible reasons
The lymphatic system is the basis of immunity . It prevents the spread of pathological microorganisms and blocks the occurrence of many disease processes. In various diseases, lymphocytes begin to actively multiply to slow down inflammation. Then the lymph nodes enlarge.
If structures localized under the jaw and in the neck area “grow,” it is most likely an infection, that is, the disorder is caused by bacteria. But sometimes the condition occurs in the absence of infection.
Among the most common infectious causes:
- Colds, viruses. Their pathogens affect the ENT organs, and general intoxication is observed. In this scenario, sore throats, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, sinusitis, otitis media, etc. occur.
- Tuberculosis. With lymphadenitis, the entire neck swells. In advanced cases, lymphoid tissues located in the abdominal cavity and chest increase. The pathology is treated conservatively and surgically.
- Dental problems. Pulpitis, caries, periodontitis - all these are provoking diseases.
- Toxoplasmosis. People become infected with it from domestic animals (most often from cats). In addition to the growth of nodes, with this diagnosis the following are observed: high body temperature, headaches, an increase in the size of the spleen and liver. But very often the disease is asymptomatic.
- Venereal pathologies. Transmitted sexually. The body reacts very sharply to most of them, so already in the first days the patient notices that the lymph nodes have become enlarged and began to hurt, and severe weakness has appeared.
- Herpes. It manifests itself as an increase in the volume of lymphoid tissue in the neck, under the jaw and in the groin. Requires competent antiviral therapy.
Among the factors of a non-infectious nature that lead to the appearance of an unfavorable symptom:
- Oncology. It does not matter whether cancer of the lymphatic system or any internal organ is diagnosed. But in the first case, cancer cells quickly spread with the lymph flow, which contributes to the formation of metastases.
- Autoimmune pathologies. These are conditions in which the immune system begins to malfunction, causing serious damage to the body. This group includes systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, etc.
- Allergy. It manifests itself differently in all people. The most common symptoms are skin rashes and itching. But lymph can also be involved in the allergic process.
- Traumatic injuries to the head and face. If a strong pathological process occurs, lymphocytes begin to be actively produced.
Pustules on the face: what to do?
Since pustules indicate an inflammatory process, most cosmetic procedures are contraindicated for them. What remains is drug treatment and home care. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Gentle care. If there are an abundance of pustules, it is necessary to take more careful care of the skin so as not to damage them. It is necessary to discard the idea of squeezing out acne elements. This is fraught with the spread of inflammation and aggravation of the clinical picture.
- Exclusion of alcohol-containing products from care. Attempting to dry acne will not be beneficial. The skin will respond with even greater sebum production and hyperkeratinization. And these are already two links in the mechanism of acne formation.
- Nutrition correction. Since the appearance of acne may be associated with the consumption of certain products, for example, dairy. There is evidence that if there is an excess of sugar and fat in the diet, as well as eating on the go, it can provoke an exacerbation of acne.60
- Light makeup. Pustular rashes are very difficult to hide with cosmetics. As a rule, applying a generous amount of foundation creates a mask effect. The face looks unnatural and the skin cannot breathe. As a result, the pores only become more clogged. Makeup for acne is acceptable, but it is better to keep it light. In the evening, it must be carefully removed, for example, with micellar water or milk.
- Refusal of traditional methods of treatment. Do not try to prepare masks or creams yourself. Firstly, the use of multi-component compositions prepared by yourself can provoke irritation, itching, redness, and an allergic reaction. Secondly, you will waste time and may make the problem worse.
You can get rid of pustular rashes only by using medications prescribed by a dermatologist.
Dental causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes on the chin
Since very often in their work dentists are faced with huge lymph nodes in patients, let us dwell in more detail on the diseases that cause this symptom:
- Periodontitis. It can occur in acute or chronic form. Leads to tooth loosening and severe pain. If you do not receive qualified dental care in time, there will be a need to remove the affected unit.
- Stomatitis. Causes painful ulcers to appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is the result of injuries, low immunity, vitamin deficiency. In advanced cases, the entire oral cavity becomes covered with wounds. Then active production of lymphocytes is observed.
- Pulpitis. Inflammatory lesion of pulp tissues. A very insidious disease. Through the pulp, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the lymph nodes and other tissues. It is important to clean the canals and seal them as soon as possible.
- Advanced caries. Despite the fact that many people do not take caries seriously, it is a rather insidious infectious process. If the deep tissues of the tooth are damaged, the lymph nodes come to the aid of the body - they try to neutralize pathological agents by producing lymphocytes. This can be understood by their increased size.
- Periodontal disease. Causes hypertrophy of periodontal tissues, leading to local hypoxia. Periodontal disease does not cause pain, so most often the patient learns about it by chance during a medical examination for some other condition. With periodontal disease, the gums become lighter, the interdental papillae atrophy, and the dental necks become exposed. If treatment is not started in time, the teeth will begin to loosen and fall out.
- Periodontitis. A disease that develops due to metabolic disorders, neurosomatic abnormalities, poor oral hygiene, and deficiency of vitamins and minerals. It manifests itself as bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth.
- Gingivitis. Inflammatory reaction in the gums. Appears against the background of gastrointestinal pathologies, allergies, infections. The patient experiences bleeding gums even with minor mechanical stress. A burning sensation in the mouth bothers me. Ulcerative-necrotic areas may form.
These are not all dental conditions in which the lymph nodes under the chin become inflamed. In medical practice there are many more such diagnoses. This once again proves that the patient himself will not be able to understand why his submandibular area is swollen.
Treatment of pustules on the face
There are systemic and topical medications designed to combat ulcers on the face; treatment should be selected by a dermatologist. When making a diagnosis and prescribing therapy, the doctor relies on the clinical picture. As a rule, when pustules appear, combination treatment including systemic antibacterial drugs is required.
For mild to moderate acne, a dermatologist may prescribe medications with azelaic acid, for example, Azelik®5,9 gel. It normalizes keratinization processes, reduces the level of free fatty acids, and exhibits antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis5. Azelik® gel reduces the metabolism of neutrophils and their synthesis of free radical forms of oxygen5.
*acne
How are lymph nodes treated?
The treatment tactics chosen by the doctor directly depend on the characteristics of the clinical symptoms and the diagnosis. If it's all about a bacterial infection, you can't do without antibiotics. For viruses, antiviral drugs and immunostimulants are indicated. In the case of an autoimmune disorder, the focus is on reducing the activity of specific culprit markers. If cancer is confirmed, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunomodulators are necessary.
If the lymph nodes are enlarged due to a certain dental disease, its step-by-step treatment is carried out. Almost immediately after this, the problem of increased lymphocyte production disappears by itself.
It is extremely important that the patient does not warm the lymph node or apply any compresses unless the doctor has prescribed it. Such actions can aggravate the situation and lead to the development of health-threatening complications.
Prevention
Preventing acne on the chin is possible through various measures.
- A special diet based on seasonal fruits and vegetables in combination with fermented milk products;
- Refusal of sweets, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, minimizing the consumption of nuts and eggs, spicy, fatty foods;
- Drink 2 liters of liquid per day - pure water, green tea without sugar, fruit drinks and natural juices;
- Attentive attitude to care, 2 times a week resort to scrubs (in the absence of inflammation) and masks with an antibacterial effect;
- If you are prone to rashes, disinfect your mobile phone with antiseptics, touch your face only with clean hands, use a separate towel;
- Regular intake of multivitamin complexes;
- Applying protective ointments when going outside on frosty days and hot sunny days.
Localization
Internal acne can form on any part of the body. In some cases, based on the location of the comedones, it is possible to determine what caused it.
Most often they appear on the face, but can also be localized on other parts of the body:
- rashes on the forehead and chin occur as a result of changes in hormone levels in the body and problems with the functioning of the endocrine glands;
- a subcutaneous pimple near the nose can occur due to poor cleansing of the skin or as a consequence of a cold;
- comedones on the nose can be a consequence of a cold, or indicate problems with the liver or vascular system;
- rashes in the ear appear as a result of a pathological process in the nasopharynx, which is bacteriological in nature
Comedones under the eyes can form due to malfunctions of the adrenal glands and kidneys. Large subcutaneous formations may appear in those areas of the body where large sweat glands are located.
The best medicines
On pharmacy shelves you can find many products that allow you to eliminate a rash on your chin at home. Getting rid of internal acne is quite difficult, but with the right medications it is quite possible. The most effective:
- Zinerit is an effective drug from the group of antibiotics. It has a pronounced antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Available in powder form for preparing a suspension. The resulting composition is used for spot treatment of lesions for 4-8 weeks. This time is enough to completely eliminate the defect.
- Baziron AS is a drug that produces a therapeutic effect due to the content of benzoyl peroxide. The substance has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and drying properties, helps to get rid of acne, blackheads and comedones for 4 weeks. The medicine is available in the form of a gel for spot treatment of lesions. With prolonged use, it can provoke dry skin, itching, a feeling of tightness, and sometimes an allergic reaction.
- Levomekol is an antibiotic-based ointment with anti-inflammatory properties. Effectively eliminates even small purulent rashes. When applied to a spot, it stimulates the outflow of pus and the capsule breaking out. Used for 10-14 days. Sometimes it provokes allergic reactions, so it is recommended to consult a specialist before starting use.
- Vishnevsky ointment is a powerful remedy against large pimples with signs of suppuration. Used for spot application, it helps relieve acute signs of inflammation within 5-7 days and prevent further spread of the infection and its entry into the blood.
- Curiosin is a gel for external use based on zinc hyaluronate. When used in the affected area, it has an antiseptic effect, stimulates the processes of regeneration and tissue renewal, helps quickly eliminate the rash and prevents recurrence.
Types of acne
Acne is divided according to age into acne of newborns or preschool children, teenage, youthful and later acne. The degree of severity is determined as follows: the face is visually divided in half by a vertical line and the number of all lesions is counted. If there are less than ten of them, then this is the first - mild - stage of the disease. The second degree is characterized by 10-30 acne, the third - 31-40 acne. The latter is considered an extremely severe stage, with more than forty pimples located on one half of the face.
Classification by shape:
- inductive;
- comedonal acne;
- spherical;
- mechanical;
- lightning;
- ordinary.
Juvenile acne usually goes away on its own after all hormonal imbalances in the body have ended. Lightning acne appears and festeres in one day. They are cleaned, but a deep scar or ulcer remains. Mechanical acne occurs due to damage to the skin. Microcysts are called spherical pimples. They can only be removed surgically; such acne cannot be pierced. Comedones are blackheads that usually do not become inflamed. Indurative ones form swelling of adjacent areas of the epithelium; after disappearance, scars remain on the skin.
Preventive measures
No one is immune from the problem described. But there are ways to minimize the risk of its occurrence. Among them:
- receiving qualified medical care for any ailments;
- annual laboratory tests;
- timely treatment of emerging dental diseases;
- sanitation of the oral cavity every six months;
- following medical prescriptions.
Take care of your health, and the risk of enlarged lymph nodes will be minimized.
Differential diagnosis
It is necessary to differentiate acne:
- With cold herpes. The reason for its development is infection with a virus. Infection with it has a characteristic clinical picture. The disease begins with a general malaise and only then a rash appears on the chin, which clusters around some wound or abrasion.
- With sebaceous gland adenoma. Its development begins in early childhood even before signs of inflammation of the skin of the chin appear.
- With keratosis pilaris. When it forms, there is a keratosis plug in the center of inflammation, but acne does not have one.
- With molluscum contagiosum. It has a depression in the center. The papule itself has a translucent structure.
- With steroid acne. They appear only when taking glucocorticoids. When the drug is discontinued, the skin rashes disappear.
- With flat warts. They have the shape of a papule, which does not differ from the color of the skin. Externally, a wart looks like a thin plaque.
If internal pathologies are suspected, the patient is sent for an extensive diagnostic examination.
Dermatologist
This is the name of a doctor whose task is to relieve patients of various skin problems. What should you do if something like this bothers you? The best treatment is to make an appointment with a dermatologist. The fact is that you can endlessly search for advice on how to get rid of internal acne, but only a doctor is able to correctly assess the condition of the skin, conduct the necessary tests, and easily navigate the variety of medications and folk remedies.
It is important to consult a doctor if the cause of acne is unknown.
A cosmetologist is another specialist who brings the skin to a normal state. If the dermatologist does not find any problems in his area, he may recommend contacting a cosmetologist. You will be offered skin cleansing and other similar procedures.
Let's talk further about what kind of treatment for internal acne on the face can be carried out, including at home.