Go to the doctor immediately if a boil is near the eye.
A large, deep boil is called an abscess ('ab-ses').
Go to the doctor immediately if the boil is near the eye.
Check out how to stop skin infections [1]
Go to the doctor if any of these things happen:
A doctor might:
It is important to take the antibiotics each day until they are finished, even if the boil has got better. The antibiotics need to keep killing the infection in the body after the skin has healed.
Check out more detailed information about boils [2]
Boils are spread by fluid, blood or pus from a boil touching other skin.
If your child is feeling well they can go to kura or school but keep boils covered with plasters or dressings.
See the KidsHealth page on how to treat and when to seek help for boils [2]
See the KidsHealth page on looking after your child's skin and treating skin infections [3]
This page last reviewed 31 October 2023.
Email us [9] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/stop-skin-infections
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/how-treat-boils-children-when-seek-help
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/looking-after-your-childs-skin-treating-skin-infections
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/skin-infections-what-do
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/skin-problems-children
[6] https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/topic_sheets/skin-infections-boils-nov13.pdf
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1671?language=zh-hant
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2201?language=zh-hant
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F182%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant