Infant Boil Treatment

Boils are infections that can spread through the body if not treated. Treatment by a medical professional is usually suggested for boils contracted by an infant. Some treatment options do exist in situations where that is not a possibility.

Signs of a Boil

• Boils are usually first noticed as lumps. These lumps are often filled with pus that can rupture on their own. The boil is an infection of a single hair follicle and can often be found on the face, neck, armpit, groin and buttocks.

Treating a Boil

• Wash the boil twice a day and apply antibiotics to the site. A warm compress will help draw the pus from the boil. Apply a warm washcloth to the boil for about 20 minutes, three or four times a day, to help the boil drain on its own.

The Healing Process

• Boils usually heal in about two weeks. Larger boils may leave a scar or mark. Squeezing or lancing the boil can spread the infection to other areas.

Physician's Treatment

• Boils occurring in children should be treated by a physician, according to the website intellihealth.com.

Boil Complications

• Boils that are painful, last longer than two weeks, impede movement or have discoloration to the skin surrounding the boil all warrant a visit to the doctor.

Precautions When Dealing With Boils

• Parents should wash their hands thoroughly with an antibiotic soap after treating a boil. All clothing, bedding, towels or any other item that comes in contact with the site of the boil should be washed in hot water.