Boils are skin abscesses that are typically caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus and they can affect people of any age, however it often seems that
the incidence of boils in children is far more prevalent than in adults. Boils may be more prevalent in children because kids are usually exposed to more dust and dirt than adults and the bacteria can easily enter children’s skin through any open wounds or incisions.
A single stray boil is usually not a serious matter unless they occur recurrently. Recurrent boils are a more serious concern that might require the use of antibiotics in order to kill the underlying bacteria that is causing them. The easiest way to detect the exact cause of boils in children is through a bacterial culture performed by a physician. Something many parents are not aware of is that children who suffer from repeated boils may be carrying the underlying germs inside their bodies. The spore of the bacteria inside a child’s body can be related to genetic transference from their parents, and children suffering from recurrent boils may actually carry the bacteria on their skin surface or inside their intestines. When that bacterium finds an opening on the surface of the skin is how the infection spreads and becomes a true boil.
Boils on children can also be aggravated by a poor immune system. A weak immune system cannot resist the repeated attacks of bacteria and an immune-challenged child can get infected with boils many times in succession. Most doctors will prescribe antibiotics for children affected by recurrent boils; however the antibiotics alone will not cure the infection permanently and must be utilized along with a strict program of cautious cleanliness. Sitting in a hot bath tub full of germs is not a recommended treatment for boils in children and a hot shower should be used instead. Many physicians will also prescribe washing the skin with chlorhexidine soap for a period of about two weeks.
Be sure any child with boils uses separate towels than anyone else in the family to prevent the spread of germs. In fact, every member of the family should use separate towels at all times for the most through prevention protection. Parents should also caution their children not to squeeze or attempt to pop boils with their finger nails. Kid’s fingernails are notoriously dirty and squeezing boils can aggravate the condition and make it worse. In severe cases, an attempt to break open a boil will cause pus to come in contact with the main blood stream of the child’s body and can lead to a more serious case of actual blood poisoning. Parents should teach their children not to touch their faces at all until they have washed their hands with an antiseptic soap and any child that is a victim of recurrent boils should always wash with antibacterial soap on a regular basis.
Boils.com