How to Treat Boils in Children

Jul 9, 2010
Kim Paradise

What are Boils - clevercupcakes

A person of any age can get a boil also called a furuncle. They are large red painful lumps that are filled with pus. Boils should be treated right away.

Boils are a skin infection or abscess caused by bacteria. This bacterium is called staphylococcus aureus. The most common place for a boil to appear on a child is the face, neck, armpits, shoulders and buttocks but can show up other places of the body as well. A person can have just one boil or many can break out at once.

How Boils Occur

Boils are caused by bacteria getting into an oil gland or hair follicle. This will cause a painful bump filled with pus. Children are more susceptible to getting boils because of being exposed to excess dust and dirt entering just the slightest cut or wound. A child will let you know if there is a problem with a lump. Sometimes the boils will spread to other parts of the body. A group of boils close together is called a carbuncle. The larger boils are called abscesses.

Getting Rid of Boils

If reoccurring boils do appear, a doctor’s visit will have to be made. A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to clear it up. The doctor might prescribe an anti-infective cream to put over the boil. If the antibiotics do not completely work, an incision will have to be made to drain the pus. Sometimes a doctor will refer your child to a surgeon at a hospital to have the procedure performed under anesthetic. It is too painful to do while awake. After the doctor removes the pus, it will be covered up with sterile dressing. Some cases the child will have to have antibiotics given through an intravenous drip. Usually this is an outpatient procedure.

Make sure the child does not squeeze, pick or try to break open a boil. The pus is highly contagious. In some cases if the child picks at the boil too much it can push the pus so much that it can come in contact with the bloodstream, which may lead to blood poisoning. If there is a boil on the child, use an antibacterial soap to wash with. An adult can apply an antiseptic cream to the infected area. If the boil breaks open, wash and dry the area well and cover it with a sterile dressing. Change the dressing as needed. Another important note is to change towels and washcloths daily. It is a good idea to change bedding every other day as well. Wash the towels and linens in hot water. If there is any tight clothing worn next to the skin this should be wash in hat water as well. It is better for the child to take a shower as well. There is bacteria that is in dirty bathwater.