Boils in babies can be caused by many things, but It is most often caused by a bacterial infection of the skin. Small boils usually can healed alone. However if the boil in the baby is accompanied by complaints lain, better hurry checked intodoctor, because it could be caused by a serious condition.
Boils in babies are characterized by the appearance of lumps on the skin that contain pus. Boils usually appear in areas that are hairy, sweat easily, and often experience friction. The location of the baby's body that is often overgrown with boils is the face, neck, armpits, thighs, groin, and buttocks.
Causes and How to Overcome Boils in Babies
Boils that appear on the baby's skin are most often caused by bacterial infections, such as bacteria Staphylococcus. These bacteria can enter the baby's skin through a cut or cut.
When it enters the body, the bacteria will then be fought by white blood cells. Collections of white blood cells, dead skin cells and tissues, and bacteria that have died will then produce pus and form ulcers in the baby.
The following are some conditions or diseases that can cause a bacterial infection of the baby's skin, which can develop into boils:
1. Hair follicle infection
Bacteria on the skin can cause infection in the hair follicles (base or root of the hair), causing boils in babies. There are three types of hair follicle infections, namely:
- Folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair follicles.
- Furuncles are infections of the hair follicles in the deeper layers of the skin.
- Carbuncle, which is a group of hair follicles infected with pus. The carbuncle is larger and deeper than the furuncle. This condition can cause pain and fever in babies.
Folliculitis can go away on its own without treatment, while furuncles and carbuncles need to be treated with drugs from a doctor.
2. Wounds on baby's skin
In addition to bacterial infections of the hair follicles, boils in babies can also be caused by wounds from rubbing clothes or diapers. When a baby has a wound on his skin, bacteria from dirt or dust will easily enter the skin and cause ulcers.
To prevent this from happening, the baby's diaper needs to be changed more often. Don't forget to change your baby's clothes when he's sweaty or if his clothes look dirty. In addition, proper baby skin care is also important to prevent and help treat wounds in babies that cause ulcers.
3. Impetigo
Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin that is quite common in babies. This contagious disease can cause boils or blisters to appear on the baby's face (around the nose and mouth), neck, arms, and elbow creases.
These boils will usually burst on their own and cause a yellowish crust or scab.
This condition goes away on its own in a few weeks. However, to speed up healing and prevent transmission of bacteria to other babies or children, antibiotics are needed from a doctor.
4. Staphylococcal scalded skin ssyndrome (SSSS)
SSSS is a severe infection of the skin caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. This disease often affects infants and children.
When experiencing SSSS, the baby will have a fever for a few days, then a rash appears all over the body with blisters or boils that break easily. In addition, the baby's skin will also look cracked and the baby will look weak.
Babies affected by SSSS need to be treated by a doctor as soon as possible because this disease has the potential to cause severe complications, such as sepsis and dehydration. Infants or children with SSSS usually require several days of hospitalization.
To speed up the healing process of boils in babies, do the following:
- Compress the boil with a cloth that has been soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes 3-4 times every day.
- Wear clothes that are clean, not too tight, and easy to absorb sweat.
- When the boil has burst on its own, clean the baby's skin with baby soap to remove the pus, then cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- Don't forget to wash your hands before and after touching the baby's skin.
In large boils or have ruptured on their own, antibiotic ointment is usually required. To determine the appropriate type of antibiotic, you need to consult a doctor.
Boils Conditions in Babies That Should Be Watched
Boils in babies are often not caused by a dangerous condition and will go away on their own. Even so, sometimes boils in babies can also be a sign of a serious illness.
The following are some conditions or signs to watch out for if your baby has ulcers:
- Boils that don't go away or get worse for more than two weeks.
- Other symptoms appear, such as fever, weakness, and seizures.
- Babies appear to be in pain when a boil appears, especially when the boil or the skin around the boil is touched.
- Boils grow on the baby's face, especially around the eyes.
- The skin around the boil appears red and warm to the touch.
If a boil in a baby is accompanied by these conditions, immediately consult a dermatologist or pediatrician to get the right treatment.