Inflammation under the skin (phlegmon), what are the causes and symptoms?

When talking about inflammation, what comes to your mind first? Sore throat? Or colitis? In fact, inflammation can occur in any part of the body at any time. Inflammation itself is a form of body defense against a certain damage or infection. Well, the effects of inflammation in one part of the body can spread to other parts of the body under the skin. This inflammation under the skin is called phlegmon.

Phlegmon, inflammation under the skin due to bacterial infection

Phlegmon is a medical term that refers to inflammation that spreads to soft tissues, such as the skin, fat tissue, muscle tissue and tendons or other internal organs. The word phlegmon comes from Greek phlegmone , which means to swell.

Phlegmon occurs when a bacterial infection is not treated properly and has spread from damaged and infected tissue. The inflammation that causes phlegmon is usually not a serious condition, but it spreads very quickly to any part of the body. In some cases phlegmon can be fatal.

Phlegmon is different from an abscess

Phlegmon and abscess are both complications of inflammation localized in one area. Both also result in the formation of pus.

Even so, there are still differences between phlegmon and abscess. The pus lump caused by an abscess can be absorbed or sucked easily through simple medical procedures, but not with pus formed by phlegmon.

The pus in the phlegmon is not easy to absorb and there is a great risk of infection spreading to the surrounding tissue.

What causes phlegmon?

Most cases of phlegmon are caused by bacterial infection Streptococcus group A and Staphylococcus aureus. The types of bacteria that cause phlegmon usually enter the body through various routes such as through contact between infected humans, animal scratches, insect bites, or open wounds that can form inflammation under the skin.

The bacteria that cause phlegmon can also originate in the oral cavity and are at very risk of triggering phlegmon in someone who has had surgery in the mouth area. The same bacteria can enter the body deeper, down to the abdominal cavity and appendix to form phlegmon.

What are the signs and symptoms of phlegmon

Symptoms of phlegmon can vary depending on the location of the inflamed tissue.

Phlegmon can trigger common systemic symptoms of bacterial infection such as:

• Swelling of the lymph glands.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Fatigue
• Body aches.

Meanwhile, based on the specific body part experiencing phlegmon, symptoms can be:

• On the skin - redness, the skin looks swollen, feels hot and painful.
• On the gastrointestinal tract - fever accompanied by nausea, vomiting and pain.
• In the appendix (appendix)- indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting, pain around the stomach.
• On the eyes - visual disturbances, flu-like symptoms, watery eyes accompanied by pain.
• In the oral cavity - pain around the gums that spreads around the ears, swelling around the mouth, and difficulty breathing.
• On the tonsils - sore throat, dry throat, and difficulty speaking
• On the pancreas - increased amylase enzyme and white blood cell levels, as well as fever accompanied by abdominal pain and nausea.

The appearance of phlegmon symptoms can be influenced by the body's resistance. So, someone with a weak immune system will be very at risk for this condition.

How can phlegmon be recognized?

Phlegmon can be recognized by general signs of inflammation, such as redness and swelling. But usually these signs can only be seen if they occur around the skin.

If there is inflammation under the skin, your doctor may ask you about conditions causing phlegmon symptoms such as medical history and medication.

If there is pain and signs of inflammation in certain areas of the body, further tests such as blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, X-rays, to MRI and CT scans may also be needed. This examination is needed to detect and differentiate an abscess or cellulitis from phlegmon.

What is the treatment like?

Because phlegmon is caused by a bacterial infection, it requires treatment with antibiotics as well as surgery to prevent the spread of phlegmon from infected body tissue.

Most of the phlegmon that occurs in skin tissue can be treated with antibiotics as long as the area affected by the phlegmon does not spread. However, surgery may also be done to clean the damaged tissue and prevent the infection from spreading.

Phlegmon can be a serious health problem if it spreads very quickly, as occurs in the oral cavity. In the case of oral phlegmon, antibiotics are administered with a higher type or dose. Surgery must also be done as soon as possible.