What are Boils in children?
Has your child ever noticed small red and tender bumps on his or her skin? Have you ever noticed the severe discomfort upon touching these minor bumps? These are swollen painful skin hard bumps called Boils or Furuncles. The boil is a condition in which a hair follicle or oil gland becomes infected. These start as red fleshy indurated lesions which continue to increase in size and cause pain as they fill up with pus which is either yellow or white in color. If the boils in children begin to increase in size, they may need medical attention since they rarely disappear individually.
Why Children Get Boils?
It is a folliculitis or infection of hair follicles when children get boils due to bacterial infection. The microorganism that is most associated with it is known to be: Staphylococcus aureus. These may include infections that might originate from
- Skin injuries such as minor cuts.
- Scratches
- Insect bites
- These lesions enable the bacteria to invade the skin and cause infection of the hair follicles.
Symptoms of Boils in children:
At first, your child may have no symptoms except a small, red tender bump on the skin. Boils in children can lead to severe discomfort. undefined
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- Intense pain
- Enlargement of the size of the bump.
- Formation of white-yellow pus in the center.
- Fever
- At times more than one boil may arise in the same area which is referred to as “carbuncles.
Does my child have a risk of getting Boils?
Boils in children are common and anyone can get them.
- Poor hygiene habits.
- Scratches or cuts.
- Weakened immune system.
- Through contact with objects belonging to an infected person.
- Diabetes
- Warm, humid climates.
- Friction from tight clothing.
- Skin conditions like eczema.
How Can I Manage Boils at Home?
Although boils in children could be irritating, they can be controlled at home if you notice the signs early, and provide the appropriate care.
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- Put a warm, wet cloth on the boil several times a day to help the boil open. This can assist it to drain and alleviate pain.
- Do not attempt to pop or squeeze the boils in children because this may lead to a severe infection.
- Some relief can be achieved from over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers.
- Clothe your child in loose and comfortable fabrics that allow ventilation.
- Clean the area with mild soap and water to prevent infections.
- Wash your hands with soap regularly to avoid infection.
- Offer a healthy diet to stimulate immunity and respond to infection.
Therefore, when planning to apply an antibiotic ointment, the healthcare provider should examine a boil timely and carefully.
when to seek immediate medical attention for boils in children
boils in children are easily managed at home. There are certain instances where hospitalization is necessary. Surgical procedures can also be recommended by your doctor if they feel necessary. Look for the following:
- In case the size of the boil begins to enlarge.
- Excruciating pain despite home care.
- Boils accompanied by fever.
- If multiple boils appear
- The same situation can apply if your child suffers from any other conditions such as diabetes or eczema.
While Boils in children are common and may be a reason to worry for parents, they can take proper care of the child to avoid further complications and assist the child heal faster.