Is this your symptom?
- Painful red lump in the skin
- Hair follicle infection caused by the Staph bacteria
- Most boils need to be seen by a doctor
Symptoms of a Boil
- Bright red lump (swelling) in the skin.
- Painful, even when not being touched.
- Most often ½ to 1 inch across (1 to 2 cm).
- After about a week, the center of the boil becomes filled with pus. The center becomes soft and mushy.
- The skin over the boil then develops a large pimple. This is known as "coming to a head."
Causes of Boils
- A boil is an infection of a hair follicle (skin pore).
- Boils are caused by the Staph bacteria.
- Friction from tight clothing is a risk factor. Common sites are the groin, armpit, buttock, thigh or waist.
- Shaving is also a risk factor. Common sites are the face, legs, armpits or pubic area.
Prevention of Boils
- Washing hands is key to preventing Staph skin infections. Try to wash hands often. Use a liquid antibacterial soap or alcohol hand sanitizer. Showering daily is best, because baths still leave many Staph bacteria on the skin.
- Avoid nose picking. 30% of people have Staph bacteria in their nose.
- When shaving anywhere on the body, never try to shave too close. Reason: it causes small cuts that allow Staph bacteria to enter the skin.
Prevention - Bleach Baths for Boils that Come Back.
- Some doctors suggest bleach baths to prevent boils from coming back. Talk with your doctor about this treatment.
- Use ½ cup (120 mL) of regular bleach per 1 full bathtub of water.
- Soak for 10 minutes twice weekly.
- This mix of bleach and water is like a swimming pool.
When to Call for Boil
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
|
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
|
Self Care at Home
|
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Widespread red rash
- Fever
- Boil on the face
- Weak immune system. Examples are sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Spreading redness around the boil
- There are 2 or more boils
- Size is larger than 2 inches (5 cm) across
- Center of the boil is soft or pus-colored. Exception: a common pimple.
- Boil is draining pus
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Boil suspected (red lump larger than ½ inch or 12 mm across). Reason: confirm that it is a boil. Note: see home care advice for boil treatment.
- Using antibiotic ointment more than 3 days for small red lump, but not improved
- Boils keep coming back
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Boil diagnosed by a doctor
- Possible boil not yet seen by a doctor: painful red lump larger than 1/2 inch (12 mm) across
- Possible early boil or minor skin infection: tender red lump smaller than 1/2 inch (12 mm) across. Note: see home care advice for small red lump.
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
