A furuncle, or boil, is a painful, sometimes deep, localized infection of a hair follicle. It is most often caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. Boils are common and somewhat contagious. They can occur on the skin, but most are found on the neck, face, buttocks, and breasts. You are more likely to have a furuncle if there is something causing friction or frequent irritation to the skin, you have diabetes, you use immunosuppressive drugs, your resistance is low, or you live in close contact with many other people.

Symptoms may include:

• A domed nodule that is painful and red
• Nodule may have pus or a white top on the surface
• 1 to 3 cm in diameter
• May appear suddenly, then get bigger over 1-2 days

What your doctor can do:

• Take a culture of the boil to see what type of germ has caused it.
• Incise (cut into) the boil to drain it
• Prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria.

What you can do:
Self Treatment:

•  Apply warm soaks or other moist heat 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes. This may make it drain. See your doctor if this does not work
• Finish all antibiotics as directed. Even if the boil has receded you complete the antibiotic regimen.
• Use a soap containing hexochlorophene to wash hands.
• Wash your hands well before and after touching the boil.
• Use clean towels to prevent spreading to others
• Avoid the use of non-prescription topical ointments
• Avoid bursting the boil. This may make it spread.
• Follow medical advice to control any chronic diseases.

What you can expect:

• With treatment, the boil should heal within 7-10 days.
• Scarring may occur
• Boils may recur.
• Possible complications include spread of infection to the bloodstream or other areas of the body.

Contact your doctor if new boils appear, if your child has fever, or if your child has side effects from the treatment.

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620