Why is this area considered dangerous?
The nasolabial triangle is the area from the corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose. Venous blood from here can flow not only downwards, but also upwards, through the orbital veins into the cavernous sinus inside the skull, and there are few valves in these veins that prevent reverse flow. If the abscess is squeezed out, the infected blood clot can move along this path and cause sinus thrombosis, meningitis or sepsis. That is why any mechanical impact on the nasal boil is prohibited.
- The veins of the face are connected to the venous sinuses of the skull
- Reverse blood flow is possible due to the small number of valves
- Squeezing pushes out an infected blood clot
- Possible complications - cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, sepsis
- The risk is higher with diabetes and reduced immunity
Causes and risk factors
The infection enters the hair follicle through tiny breaks in the skin. They are created by the habit of picking your nose, removing hairs with tweezers, constantly wiping your nose when you have a runny nose, and injuries. An additional source is the carriage of staphylococcus in the vestibule of the nose, which occurs in many people and usually does not cause harm. Recurrent boils almost always indicate an underlying condition: most often it is unrecognized diabetes mellitus, less often - immunodeficiency or chronic foci of infection.
- Microtraumas of the skin of the nasal vestibule
- Plucking nose hair
- Chronic runny nose and skin irritation
- Carriage of staphylococcus
- Diabetes mellitus
- Decreased immunity and nutritional deficiencies
- Poor hand hygiene
Symptoms
First, point pain and redness appear at the entrance to the nose, a feeling of fullness, which intensifies with chewing, facial expressions and touching. After one or two days, a dense, painful lump forms with redness around it, the tip or wing of the nose, and sometimes half of the face swells. On the third or fourth day, a yellowish dot forms in the center - a purulent core. The temperature may rise, weakness and headache may appear. Reducing pain after spontaneous opening does not cancel a visit to the doctor.
- Sharp pain and tension at the entrance to the nose
- Redness and thick swelling
- Increased pain with facial expressions
- A purulent point in the center after a few days
- Temperature rise
- Enlarged submandibular lymph nodes
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is usually obvious upon examination: the doctor assesses the size of the lesion, the boundaries of the edema and signs of the spread of infection. It is important to check your general condition - temperature, headache and eye symptoms. A general blood test shows the severity of inflammation. Be sure to determine blood glucose levels: recurrent boils may be the first manifestation of diabetes. Culture of the discharge with sensitivity determination helps to select an antibiotic if standard treatment does not work.
- Examination by an otolaryngologist or surgeon
- General blood test
- Blood glucose
- Culture of discharge for microflora and sensitivity
- In case of complications - tomography and examination by an ophthalmologist
Treatment and prevention
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor. At the infiltrate stage, antibiotics and local treatment with antiseptics are used; thermal procedures, compresses and ointments under film are not recommended. When the abscess is mature, the doctor opens it under sterile conditions and ensures drainage, after which the pain quickly decreases. In case of severe facial swelling, fever or concomitant diabetes, treatment is carried out in a hospital. It is important to spare facial muscles: talk less, eat soft food, do not touch your nose with your hands.
- Strictly do not squeeze or pierce yourself.
- Antibiotic as prescribed by a doctor
- Opening the abscess is performed only by a doctor
- Refusal of warming up and compresses
- Gentle regime for facial expressions and soft food
- Monitoring blood sugar with repeated boils
- Hand hygiene and avoiding nose hair plucking
