Tuberculosis of the Skin, Colliquative

Tuberculosis of the skin colliquative (scrofulous) develops when Koch's bacillus enters the skin and mucous membranes. The disease is widespread, but is most common among toddlers and the elderly.

The incubation period of skin tuberculosis ranges from 2-3 days to 5-6 weeks, with an average of 3 weeks. Bacteria can enter the body through broken skin, blood transfusions, medical instruments, poorly washed hands, and more.

The first sign of tubercle is a dense knot under the skin, from pronounced red to yellow or black. Affected areas of skin usually have bright edges. Gradually the knot enlarges and can form a ball the size of a chicken egg. Later, you can find even more nodes and voids next to them. The growth of tubercle can continue for several months. The disease spreads easily mechanically: in dust, saliva, etc., as well as by airborne droplets. Patients should wear cotton clothing and use only individual personal hygiene items. Patients are prescribed a special high-protein diet, as well as antibiotics that kill tubercle. Currently, X-rays of affected areas of the skin and blood tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis. The tubercular process can lead to permanent scarring of the skin. To avoid complications, such as infection of internal organs, it is necessary to follow preventive measures: regular examinations by a doctor and timely treatment of diseases.

Tuberculosis of the skin Colliquative form

One of the most dangerous and insidious types of tuberculosis is tuberculous scrofula - scrofulosis or scrofuloderma - a chronic granulomatous skin infection that forms subcutaneous nodes up to several centimeters in diameter, of dense consistency, not fused with surrounding tissues. They often penetrate through the skin to the outside, forming scars. Tubercleous scrofula can form in people of any age: from children to the elderly. The name comes from the Latin word scrofula, meaning "pig gland". Porcine tuberculous epithelium is extremely dangerous and parasitizes only in the skin. That is, it affects only humans. Tuberculosis bacteria do not like bone marrow because it contains fat-soluble lipids that the pathogen cannot digest. But the cell walls of animals attract infections much more. It causes the destruction of keratin, an important structural component of the skin, and prevents its self-healing. Therefore, this form of tuberculosis, if left untreated, leads to progressive lymphedema of the limb, gradual growth of tuberculosis in thickness and deformation of the skeleton under their influence in the form of unnatural bends, lumps, swelling and deformations with displacement of bones. It was this form of tuberculosis infection that was called “pig ear” in Europe: inflammation of the skin had protrusions up to 20 cm long, often cone-shaped, resembling the shape of a pig’s ear. Tuberculoma cells containing the pathogen are surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. They can give