Boils (Abscesses)

What is a boil?

A boil is a tender, red lump in the skin. It is painful even when not being touched. Boils are usually 1/2 to 1 inch across.

What is the cause?

Boils are caused by a bacterial infection of a hair root or skin pore. The bacteria that cause boils are called Staphylococcus (also called staph bacteria).

How long does it last?

Without treatment, the body will fight and wall off the infection. After about a week, the center of the boil becomes soft and mushy (filled with pus). The skin over the boil then develops a pimple or becomes thin and pale. The boil is now ready for draining. Without lancing, it will drain by itself in 3 or 4 days. Until it drains, a boil can be extremely painful.

How can I take care of my child?

• Antibiotics

  Antibiotics may or not be prescribed by your healthcare provider. Usually they are not helpful for boils that are already established. Draining the boil is the only way to cure a boil.

• Moist Compresses

  Until the boil comes to a head or becomes soft, apply warm compresses 3 times a day for 20 minutes. When the boil is ready for drainage, contact your child's healthcare provider.

• Lancing or draining the boil

  Don’t open a boil on your own because it needs to be done correctly. Also, it is a painful procedure and the pus is very contagious.

  Once opened, the boil will drain pus for 2 or 3 days and then heal. Since the pus is contagious, the boil must be covered by a large 4 x 4 inch gauze bandage and tape. Change this bandage and wash the area with an antiseptic soap 2 times a day.

• Prevention of more boils

  Boils can come back. The staph bacteria on the skin can be decreased by showering and washing the hair daily with an antibacterial soap. Showers are preferred because during a bath bacteria are just moved to other parts of the skin.

  Bleach Baths: For recurrent boils, some HCPs recommend brief baths in a dilute bleach solution. Mix 1/2 cup (120 mL) of regular bleach into 1 full bathtub of water. Most tubs are 40 gallons (160 liters). This concentration of bleach is similar to a chlorinated swimming pool. Soak for 10 minutes twice weekly. Discuss with your child’s healthcare provider.

• Contagiousness

  The pus in boils is contagious. Make sure that other people in your family do not use your child's towel or washcloth. Wash any clothes, towels, or sheets that are contaminated with drainage from the boils with Lysol. Any bandages with pus on them should be carefully thrown away.

• Common mistakes in the treatment of boils

  Sometimes friends or relatives may advise you to squeeze a boil until you get the core out. The pus in a boil will come out easily if the opening is large enough. Squeezing is not only very painful but also carries the risk that bacteria will be forced into the bloodstream. Squeezing can also cause other boils in the same area. Squeezing boils on the face is especially dangerous.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call during office hours if:

• The skin around the boil turns red or red streaks appear.
• The boil has come to a head and needs to be opened.
• You have other concerns or questions.