Symptoms of paratonsillar abscess. Treatment with folk remedies

When we get sick with angina, but there is always a chance of complications. Even if it is a common tonsillitis that disturbs us after hypothermia or excessive eating of ice cream. One of the most common concomitant pathologies is the paratonsillar abscess. Symptoms of paratonlesillar abscess are neck edema, high fever and foreign body sensation. All of them are found in normal angina, so it is difficult to recognize an additional disease immediately. Patients to the last try to be treated at home, but after raising the temperature to 40 degrees, after all, they seek help from a doctor.

The essence of pathology

Abscess in medicine is called inflammation of soft tissues, accompanied by the formation of pus. In fact, it is a cluster of purulent detritus under the skin, mucous membranes or inside fascial cases. If the process is spread over large areas, it is already classified as phlegmon. It provokes the appearance of this pathology by the multiplication of bacteria or fungi.

Despite the fact that the symptoms of the paratonsillar abscess are fairly easily tolerated by a person, this is a disease that can result in a fatal outcome. The infected fluid melts the tissues with which it touches, and can enter the brain, leak over the neck and even into the chest cavity. This will cause the spread of infection throughout the body, shock and rapid death.

Historical sketch

To fully understand the seriousness of this pathology, you can use examples from history. It's better to start from ancient times. In the twelfth century BC, the Shah of Khorezm, Ala ad-Din Tekesh, died from this pathology. To blame this man for ignorance and neglect of symptoms is difficult, since it was during his reign that the state reached its greatest cultural and political heyday.

There is a version that it was from the paratonsillar abscess that the famous leader of the Seminole Indians died, Osceola. It happened in 1838, when the Spaniards conquered South America. Again, the medicine of these peoples was at a high level, many Europeans did not even hear of many medicines. Therefore, talk about negligence is not necessary.

Writer and philosopher from France, Michel Montaigne, Pope Adrian the fourth and Scottish professor of religious studies Ian McLaren and some other celebrities died from a simple, at first glance, illness.

Kinds

Since the symptoms of the paratonsillar abscess are always typical, it is classified among otolaryngologists exclusively in terms of location. There are four forms of the disease.

1. Upper. It is the most common form of purulent process. This is due to the anatomical features of the tonsils. The upper surface of the organ undergoes a severe bacterial load, since it takes the first blow upon contamination of the inflammatory agent. Zabolevanie begins with the appearance of a delicate yellowish coating on the palatine arch.
2. Back form, when the focus is located between the palatine arch and the amygdala. This is the easiest option for diagnosis, since the site of inflammation is clearly visible. The disease causes considerable discomfort to the patient, prevents talking, swallowing and opening the mouth. In difficult cases, there may be breathing disorders.
3. Lower form. Abscess captures only the lower part of the amygdala. The cause of this complication, as a rule, are diseases of the teeth and gums.
4. Outer shape. It is extremely rare. In some literature, we can find the name of the lateral parathonsillar abscess. It is with this localization the highest probability of spreading the infection to neighboring areas.

The disease begins acutely, chronic cases are casuistic and are found only in socially disadvantaged citizens who do not seek medical help immediately.

Etiology

Symptoms of the paratonsillar abscess appear when the amygdala in neighboring tissues develops a purulent inflammation caused by the multiplication and vital activity of bacteria. Staphylococci and streptococci are most often used as an infectious agent, but these can be fungi, opportunistic bacteria, and sometimes even viruses.

Paratonzillar abscess is not an independent disease. As a rule, this is the result of incorrect or artisanal treatment of angina. Patients believe that the inflammation in the throat is too simple and simple diagnosis, so that with such trifles bother the doctor. But in fact, do not neglect your own health, and it is better to ask for help at the beginning, than to correct the consequences of your inept actions.

The second cause of abscesses of this localization is chronic tonsillitis. The body is constantly developing a slow infectious process, which poisons a person, makes his immunity weak. All this leads to complications even the most banal cold.

Sometimes paratonzillitis occurs after removal of lymphoid tissue from the palatine arch. This may be the result of a substandard operation, when a part of the tonsils still remained and they were restored to their former size. Or else when the doctor with instruments damaged the tender mucous larynx.

The fourth place in the rating of causes, causing an abscess, is caries. This is also a constant focus of infection, which must be sanitized, so as not to weaken the defenses of the body and not to provoke bacteria "on the offensive."

Symptoms

How does the paratonsillar abscess develop? Symptoms do not appear immediately, but only three to four days after the invasion of the pathogen into the tonsils. Most brightly the clinic begins to manifest itself from the fifth day of the disease.

The first symptom is pain. At first it causes mild discomfort, but in the process of increasing edema and accumulation of pus, it becomes increasingly difficult to tolerate it. Pain sensations are localized on the same side as the abscess, but can spread to the ear, upper jaw, neck, maxillary sinuses.

A typical symptom of the paratonsillar abscess is laryngeal edema and the presence of bulging mucosa on the side of the lesion. The fabrics in this place are red, strongly stretched, hot. Because of this, the "lump" is broken swallowing, breathing, and eventually develops a defeat of the chewing musculature - trismus. It becomes difficult for the patient to open his mouth.

Due to the circulation of the infection in the body, the submaxillary, occipital and cervical lymph nodes increase in a person. Sometimes it is even noticeable to the naked eye. The patient with difficulty turns his head, bends his neck, does not sleep well. Purulent processes produce an unpleasant odor from the mouth, and the spread of inflammation to the fiber of the neck can cause the hoarseness of the voice. Of the general symptoms, there is a sharp increase in temperature, weakness, and sleep disturbance.

Paratonzillar abscess in children

Not only in adults, a parathonsillar abscess can be observed as a complication. Symptoms in children often do not correspond to the severity of intoxication, since their immune system is imperfect and does not always adequately respond to infection.

The pain in the throat can not be removed by any rinses and compresses, the child is not able even to swallow saliva, not that to take medicine or eat. In infants, swelling of the throat causes problems with breathing until it stops. The second alarming sign for parents should be a change in their voice. He becomes hoarse and gurgling, as if their child holds hot potatoes in his mouth.

Some children have spasms of the muscles of the face and neck, trism, irradiation of pain in the ear or the back of the head. With an objective examination, reddening is observed not only on the side of the lesion, but all over the throat.

Diagnostics

How to put the diagnosis of "paratonlesillar abscess"? Symptoms of it are bright enough that it could be done on the basis of one clinical picture. The doctor collects an anamnesis, then asks the patient to open his mouth wide and examines the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and larynx. A spatula necessarily touches the place of edema, removes films from the tonsils.

Then he sends the patient to the laboratory diagnosis:

- clinical blood test;
- clinical analysis of urine;
- bacterial examination of the pharynx;
- Sputum culture on diphtheria bacillus.

If necessary, the patient should do an x-ray or a tomography of the neck to visualize the area of the pathological process.

Treatment

If you were diagnosed with a "paratonsillar abscess," treatment at home is absolutely contraindicated. If the patient so does not want to go to the hospital, then he must stay in the day hospital under the supervision of the staff. Treatment of an abscess can be conservative, surgical or complex.

Can I get rid of the paratonlesillar abscess with pills? Treatment with antibiotics is effective only at the onset of the disease, when the bacteria have not yet reached the critical mass and spread throughout the body. But even in neglected cases, doctors must prescribe antibacterial agents for preventing sepsis and reducing the effects of intoxication.

Locally prescribed rinses with antiseptics ("Chlorophyllipt", "Furacilin", warm hypertensive solutions) and ointments that relieve pain and inflammation.

Folk remedies

Is it possible to treat parathonsillar abscess without surgery? Traditional medicine responds with a categorical refusal. Therapy at home, exclusively by handicraft methods can become dangerous for life and health. But the other hand, grandmother's recipes will be just in time as an auxiliary tool against swelling and sore throat.

What is required to calm the parathonsillar abscess? Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of honey and bee products. This primarily applies to propolis, which combines the properties of antiseptic and stimulant immunity. For rinses, tincture of their spruce cones with the addition of pine essential oils is well suited.

Opening of abscess

You can not diagnose the paratonsillar abscess from the photo. Symptoms, of course, are very colorful, but doctors like to "look with their hands," therefore, it is recommended that when the symptoms of this ailment run, consult a surgeon.

The doctor examines the patient, makes a verdict and sends for the dissection of the abscess. The whole process takes place in a polyclinic and takes 20 minutes to complete. Anesthetizing the inflamed area, the surgeon makes several incisions and collects the pus which appears in the tray. Then inserts a drain (tubing or rubber strip) to improve the outflow of fluid. Sometimes, together with the opening of the abscess , tonsils are removed.

Complications

What can end the parathonsillar abscess? Symptoms and treatment of it do not cause ordinary people additional questions, since everything is logical and understandable. But if you evade therapy, the pathological process can expand and lead to serious consequences:

1. Phlegmon of the neck. Pus melts fatty tissue and flows under the skin of the neck, inflammation builds up, may even cause ulcers and necrosis.
2. Mediastinitis. If the patient does not go to the hospital while waiting for the phlegmon, the pus moves on and gets into the chest, involving the mediastinal organs, pleura, lungs and heart in the inflammatory process.
3. Sepsis. Infection of the whole organism due to the spread of bacteria with blood flow.

It is important to remember these dangers and to treat the purulent inflammatory processes in time, wherever they are.

Prevention

Better to warn than to heal. The common truth is always true. Therefore, doctors recommend to their patients to maintain immunity at a high level, to be tempered and on time to seek help.

An important role is also played by the elimination of chronic foci of infection, such as inflamed tonsils or adenoids and carious teeth. It is necessary to visit the dentist and therapist regularly to monitor this process.