Reasons for appearance
Wen usually does not pose a major health threat. More often, people suffer more from the aesthetic component of this problem - especially if the tumor appears on the face or head. But it is not recommended to leave this pathology unattended. In some cases, the tumor can become inflamed and burst, and sometimes lead to unpleasant complications, so it is advisable to treat the wen as early as possible.
Why do these formations arise? The exact answer to this question has not yet been clarified. The main reasons for their appearance include:
- genetic predisposition;
- skin injuries;
- diseases that cause disruptions in fat metabolism;
- deficiency of protein or vitamins in the body;
- diabetes;
- radiation exposure;
- smoking;
- thyroid diseases;
- immune system disorders;
- long course of hormonal drugs.
If several of the listed problems are present in the body, the course of the disease may worsen. This will lead to rapid progression and growth of the pathology, up to very large sizes.
Laser lipoma removal
Unfortunately, laser removal of tumors has its own contraindications. This method is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, diabetes, the presence of infectious skin disorders in the area of intended exposure, or immunodeficiency states. Deep-lying, large or branched neoplasms, as well as those whose structure includes vessels and nerves, are not removed using a laser.
In general, the operation is similar to the previous methods. The surgical field is anesthetized, the skin over the tumor is cut with a laser beam, and small vessels are cauterized at the same time. Then the capsule with its contents is removed using a clamp and cut off with a laser. At the end, the wound is sutured and a sterile bandage is applied. The entire procedure takes 15-40 minutes, and during the rehabilitation period you only need to follow the rules of asepsis to avoid inflammation of the wound.
Signs and dangers
This pathology is quite easy to distinguish from other diseases. The wen is soft to the touch, you can easily roll it with your fingers and this does not cause pain. Sometimes such a tumor can affect the connective tissues - in this case, it will have a denser structure. The density of this neoplasm depends on what part of the body and how deep it is located. The deeper the wen is, the denser the consistency it will have.
How dangerous is this pathology? As has already been clarified, a wen is a benign tumor that consists of adipose tissue. There are several varieties of this pathology, some of which can develop into a malignant tumor - liposarcoma.
The greatest danger to human life is posed by a type of wen called myelolipoma. If this disease develops, the fatty tissues inside the tumor begin to combine with blood vessels, which often leads to malfunctions of many internal organs. That is why, when the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to visit a doctor.
Possible consequences
Lipoma is a benign tumor, but large, old tumors sometimes become malignant liposarcoma. Particularly dangerous is myelolipoma, which affects blood vessels with adipose tissue, which disrupts the functionality of various organs.
If the wen is opened inside the body, then a severe threat arises. Leaking purulent contents in contact with tissue structures are dangerous due to the following complications:
- Increased temperature .
- Development of the inflammatory process.
- Formation of bleeding ulcers.
- death .
- Cutting off the affected area of the body.
Which doctor treats this pathology?
Since a wen is not an ordinary skin rash, the patient’s first priority will be to visit an oncologist. Only this doctor will be able to determine the type of disease, prescribe all the necessary examinations and draw up the correct course of treatment. If no pathological changes are found, the oncologist usually refers the patient to a surgeon.
If the formation is extremely small in size and there are no signs of inflammation, a visit to a cosmetologist or dermatologist is usually sufficient. These specialists can assess the patient’s condition and prescribe medications to help resolve the formation. In more complex cases, the issue of mechanical cleaning or electrocoagulation may be considered.
It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor in cases where the tumor begins to grow rapidly, acquire a red-purple hue, and cause severe pain when touched. In addition, the reason for a visit to the doctor will be the situation when a wen appears in an area where lymph nodes are concentrated - under the jaw, in the armpits, on the inside of the elbow or knee, in the groin area.
Review of the best pharmacy ointments and creams for lipomas
- Vishnevsky ointment consists of birch tar, xeroform, castor oil. The medicine has important properties: it kills microorganisms, sanitizes the source of infection, and accelerates the healing of the wound surface. Can draw out pathological contents at an earlier stage of the condition. Disadvantages of Liniment: unpleasant odor. Used in surgery and dermatology. Liniment is not indicated in case of individual intolerance to the components. The drug is applied twice a day to the pathological area of the body in a thin layer. A bandage is applied on top. The first results are observed within a week. The size should decrease. Course: 3-4 weeks.
- Composition of Ichthyol: paraffin, ichthyol, glycerin. The listed substances have an antiseptic, antimicrobial, and bactericidal effect. After applying the drug, slight irritation of the nerve fibers and improved tissue trophism are observed. For treatment, compresses are used or applied to the pathological surface, rubbed until completely dry. Can be used 3-4 times a day.
- Lipomix is a universal remedy for getting rid of subcutaneous growths. The components of the drug evenly penetrate into the wen, causing the destruction of protein compounds and the breakdown of growths. Plus of the medicine: destruction of the capsule. Clogged sebaceous glands open up. Before applying the cream, you need to wash your skin with soap and dry thoroughly. Then apply a small layer to the formation. You need to lubricate the affected area 2 times a day. The effect is observed after a month of constant use.
- Heparin ointment is a popular medicine for bruises and wen, it has an antimicrobial effect. Dilates blood vessels, reduces inflammation. An antithrombotic agent can be tried to combat the disease. Should be applied 2-3 times per day.
- Vitaon balm consists of plant components. When applied to the skin, it reduces inflammation, increases reparative functions, and kills microbes. For inflammation of the wen, the ointment is applied to a tampon, gauze and applied to the lesion. Removes small seals.
- Levomekol consists of chloramphenicol and methyluracil. Two active substances provide antiseptic, antimicrobial, wound healing effects. Levomekol is applied to a gauze pad, then the bandage is fixed on the problem area. Apply 2 times a day. The minimal risk of developing consequences and high efficiency make the drug number one in the fight against purulent infections.
- Asterisk balm is used to treat viral diseases. When applied to the surface of the skin, a slight burning sensation is felt.
- To combat wen they use iodine and celandine. The danger of use lies in the possibility of burns.
Can a wen burst?
Under certain circumstances, such a tumor can begin to quickly increase in size, acquire a bright red hue and cause acute painful sensations upon contact. This phenomenon indicates the onset of negative inflammatory processes. In the absence of adequate therapeutic measures, the pain will intensify, and there will also be a danger of rupture of the wen with the subsequent threat of infection in the cavity of the formation. Why does the wen burst and what to do in this case?
The wen may burst in the following cases:
- frequent wearing of tight clothing, which constantly puts pressure on the tumor;
- injury - blow or fall;
- long-term mechanical impact.
If the wen itself does not pose a serious threat to health, then a burst wen is quite a dangerous phenomenon. It is strictly not recommended to try to open it yourself. But if it has burst, it will be necessary to take a number of measures to avoid serious consequences.
Prevention after a burst wen
After the lipomas have opened and burst on their own, it would be useful to contact a medical facility. A surgeon (ideally an oncologist) will examine the formation and, if necessary, take the discharge for analysis.
The patient may need surgical cleansing of the cavity with an additional, wider opening of the breakthrough area. It is performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia with novocaine or lidocaine.
The patient’s well-being after the operation is not affected, he immediately goes home. Complications in the form of suppuration and edema are practically not observed. Scars are rare. Complete healing occurs in approximately 5 days. When removing large opened and burst lipomas in difficult anatomical areas (neck, armpits), hospitalization is required. After the operation, antibiotics are prescribed, dressings are performed, and histology of the material is performed.
Methods for removing burst lipomas:
- laser;
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- radio wave;
- surgical excision;
- puncture-aspiration method.
What to do if the wen bursts
In the event that the wen nevertheless bursts, or the person squeezes it out on his own, a substance with a pasty consistency may begin to be released from this place on the body. What to do in such a situation? You will need to take cotton wool or a sterile napkin and carefully remove the secreted liquid. Then the wound will need to be treated with a disinfectant.
It is recommended to use Levomekol ointment - it should be applied to a piece of bandage or gauze, and then applied directly to the wound, and then secured with a bandage or adhesive plaster. This medicine has almost no contraindications or side effects. Only in rare cases does individual intolerance occur or an allergic reaction may occur.
What to do if this ointment is not in your home medicine cabinet? You can use an ordinary bandage, placing it on the wound - this will prevent infection from entering the blood. After this procedure, you must definitely contact a doctor, who will examine the site of the wen breakthrough and prescribe appropriate treatment. Sometimes surgery may be necessary to clean out the wound or remove any remaining wen tissue. The doctor also necessarily sends the removed tissue to the laboratory for analysis - this is required in order to exclude the malignant nature of the tumor. Often, after removal of such a tumor, relapses almost never occur.
Sometimes a wen is confused with such a rather serious disease as atheroma. This pathology appears under the skin when the sebaceous glands are clogged. Atheroma can burst even with minimal physical impact on it. In this case, greenish-yellow pus is released from the site of the breakthrough, which has a sharply unpleasant odor. The treatment of a burst atheroma should only be determined by a doctor, since this pathology poses a much higher health hazard than a simple wen.
What to do if it opens up and pus flows out
If the lipoma ruptures on its own, pus of a creamy consistency with a characteristic putrid odor begins to flow out. Unlike a boil, this formation does not have a root (rod).
It is necessary to immediately take measures to reduce the likelihood of inflammation of surrounding tissues. Caring for a opened lesion is not much different from treating purulent wounds.
Algorithm for processing a burst formation:
- Wash the hands.
- Remove the discharge with a sterile bandage soaked in alcohol.
- Treat with any antiseptic.
- Place a bandage with ointment into the cavity.
- Cover with a bandage.
Medications
One of the old, but still used means of treating a burst wound is balsamic liniment. Thanks to the xeroform, Vishnevsky ointment promotes the outflow of pus.
What is a wen or lipoma?
Fats or lipomas (in medical literature) are tumor formations that contain fat cells and are benign growths in the subcutaneous fat layer.
Multiple small lipomas usually appear on the face, with the periorbital region being a favorite location. The most dangerous are lipomas in the abdominal cavity, growing on internal organs. Wen can reach 15 cm in diameter, so patients may confuse them with malignant tumors or inflamed lymph nodes.
Signs of lipoma growth:
- sagging wen;
- swelling in the lipoma area, blood stagnation and tissue redness;
- heaviness and discomfort in the area of the lipoma;
- disruption of the functioning of surrounding tissues or organs.
With such symptoms, urgent medical intervention and treatment of lipoma is indicated. If the lipoma is not very large or painful, doctors may recommend drug treatment for the tumor. In case of complications and uncontrolled growth of the formation, surgical removal of the wen is indicated.
Prognosis for treatment of lipomas with pharmaceutical drugs
The prognosis of drug therapy is favorable. Pathological formations resolve within a few months after the start of the course, without affecting the patient’s normal lifestyle.
In severe cases, ointments may not bring the desired effect. In case of inflammation, purulent wen, immediate surgical intervention is necessary.
An important condition for a successful course is timely detection of the problem and going to the hospital to choose treatment tactics.
The article has been reviewed by the site editors
Diagnostics
If a tumor that resembles a lipoma is detected, the patient must consult a surgeon. The doctor will examine the tumor and, if necessary, perform a biopsy. The biopsy tissue is sent for histological examination.
In difficult to diagnose cases, when lipomas are located in internal organs, cavities, muscles or joints, the patient is prescribed the following types of instrumental studies:
- radiography;
- Ultrasound;
- CT;
- MRI.
In what cases is surgical removal of wen indicated:
- growth of lipoma on the leg;
- tumor injury;
- physical discomfort;
- with growth and pain of the wen;
- tumor size is too large;
- aesthetic flaw on the face;
- disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
Fats that reach 15 cm or more are removed in a hospital under general anesthesia. There are several methods for removing lipoma, the choice depends on the preferences, contraindications and indications for use, and the financial capabilities of the patient.