Furuncle in the Nose and on the Face: What It Is and Why It Is Dangerous

A furuncle is an acute purulent-necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and surrounding connective tissue. It is caused by pyogenic bacteria, mainly Staphylococcus aureus; in everyday language the same lesion is called a boil. Below — what it looks like, how individual zones of the face and head differ, and at what point a visit to the doctor stops being routine.

What a furuncle is and what it looks like

A furuncle begins as an itchy or painful spot. Then a dense, painful nodule forms, which fills with pus. The advanced stage is characterized by a painful follicular pustule against a background of red erythema with necrosis in the center — the so-called core of the furuncle. After the necrotic tissue is sloughed off, the defect heals by scarring.

A furuncle can appear on any part of the body; it is most often found on the skin of the neck, occiput, face, back, thighs, and genital organs. If furuncles occur at different stages, this is called furunculosis. Purulent-necrotic inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue around a group of hair follicles and sebaceous glands is called a carbuncle; carbuncles are less common and occur mainly in middle-aged men.

Furuncle in the nose and on the nose: signs and causes

The nose is part of the face, and a furuncle on the face requires urgent medical assessment, not observation. The signs are the same as in other areas: a painful induration, redness around it, then pus and necrosis in the center. A photo on the internet does not replace an examination by a doctor.

Causes are considered to be contamination of the skin, including careless shaving of the face in men, increased sweating and sebum secretion, metabolic disorders, reduced immune activity, hypothermia, and unhealthy diet. The probability is higher with long-term diseases affecting the immune system — diabetes, HIV, with eczema, steroid use, obesity or malnutrition, as well as with close contact with a person who has furuncles. Prevention is personal hygiene, prevention of skin microtraumas, and treatment of injured areas.

Furuncle on the lip, cheek, forehead, and chin

All of these are areas of the face, and the rule for them is the same. The area of the upper lip, nose, and cheeks is singled out separately — here, as with complications, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. No single most dangerous area is named — the face as a whole is meant. A furuncle on the lip, on the cheek, on the forehead, on the chin, or under the eye is a reason for an urgent appointment with a doctor, not for waiting.

Furuncle on the head and neck

The neck and occiput are among the common locations. The risk is related to where the purulent process spreads. With a furuncle of the neck, phlegmon of the neck with purulent streaks into the mediastinum and the development of mediastinitis has been described; with a location on the head — phlegmon of the tissues of the head with acute thrombosis of the cerebral sinuses.

Why a furuncle on the face is dangerous: possible complications

Complications depend on the location and how advanced the process is. Lymphangitis and lymphadenitis have been described — the reaction of regional lymph nodes to the migration of bacteria with the flow of lymph; phlegmon; sepsis as the extreme complication, often leading to death. With a furuncle on the face, purulent meningitis and sepsis are specifically indicated.

When to see a doctor

The guidance is divided into routine and urgent. You should see a doctor if:

• the furuncle persists for 2 weeks;
• furuncles appear repeatedly or a group of furuncles has formed — a carbuncle;
• the furuncle is located on the face;
• the skin around it is hot, painful, and swollen, there is fever or chills;
• immunity is weakened, for example due to steroids or diabetes.

The doctor examines the focus and decides whether treatment is needed; in some cases a minor procedure is performed — incision and drainage to remove the pus. You must not open or squeeze a furuncle yourself.

The presence of a furuncle by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. 103/112 — if, against the background of a furuncle on the face or neck, signs of a severe complication appear: sepsis or meningitis.

This material is for reference: it describes signs and guidance for seeking care, and does not replace consultation with a doctor who sees the focus.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer