What is swelling on skin areas
Almost every person suffered from swelling on the body. Often their appearance is not associated with any pathological cause, so the symptom gradually goes away on its own. But there are cases when it is difficult to establish the provoking factor and it is very difficult to differentiate the disease.
With edematous syndrome, fluid accumulates in different areas of the skin in natural cavities, which provokes a change in the volume of tissues, their functions and physical properties.
This video will tell you about swelling of the hands and feet:
Reasons for appearance
The exact reasons for the appearance of neoplasms on the skin have not been established. However, experts have several theories about this. Provoking factors are as follows:
- Burdened heredity.
- Individual characteristics of the human body.
- Exposure to ultraviolet, x-ray and radiation.
- Presence of a viral infection.
- Long-term skin trauma.
- Chronic exposure of the skin to chemical carcinogens.
- Insect bites.
- Metastases in the presence of an oncological process in the patient’s body.
- Violation of skin trophism, which causes the formation of chronic ulcers.
- Weakened immunity.
His classifications
For development reasons
Edema is divided according to a variety of criteria. For example, they are divided according to development reasons:
- Hypoproteinemic . The level of albumin in plasma decreases.
- Hydrostatic . There is an increase in pressure in the capillary.
- Membranogenic . The permeability of the capillary network increases because it is damaged.
Edema is divided into 2 main types - general and local. In the latter case, the phenomenon is limited to one or several small areas.
By stage of formation
According to the stage of formation there are:
- predotek (the process of fluid retention in the body begins);
- pronounced swelling, which is easily determined upon examination.
According to the type of edematous fluid
Classification is also carried out according to the type of edematous fluid:
- Slime . It usually consists of organic acids, interstitial tissue colloids, and water. This form of the disease is commonly called myxedema.
- Exudate is a liquid with blood elements, often containing up to 8% protein.
- Transudate . A liquid similar to the previous form, but with a reduced protein content (no more than 2%).
According to the rate of development of the pathological condition
The speed of development of the pathological condition also plays a role:
- chronic (forms up to several weeks);
- acute (appears within a few hours);
- fulminant.
Self-diagnosis of edematous syndrome is described below.
Malignant skin tumors
Basalioma is a malignant skin tumor with local aggressive growth and a very low tendency to distant metastasis. It is the most common form of skin cancer. In 80% of cases it forms in the area of the face and head. It can occur on unchanged skin or become the result of malignant degeneration of a precancerous process. Characterized by a slow course and a high tendency to recur. More often diagnosed in older people.
Initially, a small painless flat or protruding nodule of flesh-colored or pinkish color appears on the surface of the skin. Sometimes a malignant skin tumor looks like a depressed reddish erosion, reminiscent of a scratch. Basal cell epithelioma grows over several years, reaching a size of 1-2 centimeters. As the tumor grows, a weeping area first appears on the surface, and then a small area of decay, covered with a crust.
Under the crust there is an easily bleeding ulcer or erosion, surrounded by a dense narrow ridge of pinkish, brownish or flesh-colored. The roller consists of many small nodules. Subsequently, the ulcer enlarges and deepens. Sometimes partial scarring is detected. With aggressive endophytic growth, the mobility of a malignant skin tumor decreases. Deepening of the ulcer is a sign of infiltrating growth and destruction of the underlying tissue.
There are several types of basal cell carcinomas. Superficial basal cell epithelioma is usually localized in the torso area. It is an atrophic erysematous surface, covered with a crust and surrounded by a thin dense ridge. Flat cicatricial basal cell carcinoma, as a rule, is located in the temporal region and is characterized by the presence of an area of atrophy and scarring with a mildly defined ridge. A nodular malignant tumor of the skin can be multiple and is localized on the scalp, skin of the eyelids and forehead. It appears as small nodules covered with crusts. It quickly ulcerates and destroys the underlying tissue. Scleroderma-like basalioma resembles scleroderma. Prone to relapse.
A malignant skin tumor is diagnosed based on an external examination and histological examination. Treatment is surgical or non-surgical removal. Excision, cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, irradiation, etc. are possible. In case of deep damage to the underlying tissues, a Mohs operation is indicated - excision within visually unchanged tissues, followed by microscopic examination of tumor sections and (if necessary) gradual expansion of the area of tissue removal. After excision of a malignant skin tumor, patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight. Within 10 years, recurrence is observed in 40% of patients.
How to identify a symptom in yourself
It is impossible to determine the process of fluid accumulation independently at the initial stage. Perhaps this is only when it becomes visible. The affected area will rise above the skin and become soft. Typically, touching the area will leave an imprint, although sometimes the swelling will be firm.
As for other symptoms, they depend entirely on the cause of the disease. This can be pain in the heart, cyanosis, shortness of breath, or just general malaise.
Read below about the causes of skin swelling, independent and accompanied by inflammation, redness and itching.
The video below will tell you about edematous syndrome:
Treatment of swelling of the penis
Different diseases are treated differently. Both conservative and surgical techniques are used.
In most cases, it is possible to manage with medications. Because the main group of causes of penis swelling is infection.
The drugs are used externally and systemically.
They are used externally in the form of solutions, creams, and ointments. The doctor may prescribe baths with antiseptics. In case of fungal inflammation, creams with antifungals are used.
In case of viral origin of the disease, local agents with acyclovir are used in addition to systemic drugs. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed. Which ones exactly depend on the pathogen isolated.
You should not self-medicate. Because it is impossible to guess what infection caused the swelling of the penis.
This can only be determined through laboratory tests. Therefore, antibiotics, treatment regimens and drug dosages are selected exclusively by the doctor.
Diseases and disorders
Edema in many cardiovascular diseases is one of the important indicators of the presence of a problem. So, if it is localized in the lower extremities, on the lower back, then this indicates heart failure. If swelling of the skin begins to flow into the subcutaneous tissue and begins to accumulate in the peritoneum or pleural cavity, then this is a clear sign of an advanced form of the disease.
General swelling
The formation of edema (and sometimes its location in certain areas of the body) can indicate other diseases:
- Cirrhosis of the liver. The symptom is accompanied by severe ascites and affects the abdominal wall, lower back, and legs.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Nephritis and other renal pathologies. Water retention occurs throughout the body, but more on the face and under the eyes. The skin in such places is pale and soft.
- Hormonal disorders. The symptom often accompanies dysfunction of organs and glands that produce hormones.
- Neurosis, a weakened autonomic system. Organ dysfunction occurs and substances are produced that promote the accumulation of salts and moisture in the body.
- Exhaustion. The hypoproteinemic form of edema accompanies fasting, prolonged alcohol intoxication, and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Pulmonary failure. Fluid accumulation occurs in the lower part of the body, in the legs.
- Swelling of the skin due to allergies is very dangerous, since it is usually concentrated in the area of the neck and face. Growth in the volume of the larynx can lead to a blockage of oxygen.
For all the diseases listed above, general edema is often diagnosed.
Local swelling
Local accompanies the following pathologies:
- Thrombophlebitis. The swollen limb is very painful, the skin area is dense, and in the area of thrombosis it has a brown tint and is inflamed.
- Lymphedema. If the disease is in its initial form, then only the feet and legs are affected, but later the fluid accumulates over the entire area up to the thigh. The advanced course is determined by dense tissue; fibrous growths begin on the skin of the legs.
- Varicose veins It can be asymmetrical. It usually appears after prolonged stress on the limbs, or during prolonged standing.
- Postthrombophlebitic syndrome. Edema accompanies blockage of the vessel constantly and has different sizes. After some time, it is accompanied by trophic disorders, pigmentation, and varicose veins.
- Brain diseases, especially encephalitis, are accompanied by fluid accumulation, numbness in the area and sometimes even paralysis.
- In case of joint diseases, swelling forms around the joint.
- Obliterating atherosclerosis. The symptom appears due to the need to constantly lower the legs down to reduce pain.
- Phlebolymphedema is a combination of varicose veins and lymphedema. Fluid accumulation is bilateral.
- Disruption of lymphatic drainage. A swelling appears in the area of the lymph nodes, it is compacted and pale.
- Inflammatory process. Palpation is painful, the skin is red due to the influx of a large volume of blood to the area. This is often observed with erysipelas, burns, boils, etc.
- Problems with blood pressure.
It is also possible to distinguish an idiopathic form of edema, when it is not possible to accurately determine the root cause. Young women are very susceptible to this, especially those whose work involves the need to constantly stand.
Read below about the treatment of edematous syndrome.
Streptoderma and swelling of the penis
Sometimes inflammation of the penis is caused not by genital infections, but by opportunistic flora. These are bacteria that live in small numbers on the penis or nearby organs (such as the rectum). Normally they are harmless. But due to certain circumstances, the population of bacteria increases, and they become the cause of inflammatory diseases.
With streptoderma, the skin becomes inflamed as a result of infection with streptococcus. Pathology can occur in different forms. Most often, a red spot and swelling appear on the skin. Pain syndrome occurs. The inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged. Purulent deposits are possible.
The pathology can be complicated by folliculitis. It requires treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones, macrolides and other drugs are used.
For diagnosis, bacteriological culture can be performed. It allows you to identify the pathogen and select the best drug for treatment.
Treatment and prevention
There is no specific prevention of tumors on the body. Preventive measures should include the removal of warts and moles at the initial stage of their development, especially if you observe a large number of them on your body. Persons who have a genetic predisposition to cancer should be more attentive to the treatment of benign skin tumors, as well as to prevention. To do this, you should avoid insolation, carefully select a workplace, and also avoid contact with carcinogenic substances. Experts also recommend excluding from your diet those foods that can cause the tumor to degenerate into a malignant form.
Treatment for a benign skin tumor on the face or other parts of the body will involve removing the affected area. Laser removal has the least relapses, since in this case the wound surface is cauterized and further dissemination of tumor cells is not allowed. Cryodestruction and electrocoagulation can also be used for these purposes. A specialist may prescribe a radio wave removal method depending on the type of tumor on the skin.
