Skin abscesses in children: Diagnosis and treatment

Skin abscesses in children are a common presentation in general practice, but management is not always as straightforward as it first appears. Decisions around whether a lesion is truly an abscess, how to classify its severity, and when to escalate treatment can all influence outcomes.

In this video, Dr Vincenzo Piccolo focuses on the distinctions that matter in clinic, particularly how to differentiate simple from complicated abscesses, and when to think beyond a routine presentation.

With Staphylococcus aureus still the leading cause and community MRSA an ongoing consideration, management often extends beyond prescribing antibiotics alone.

The procedural aspect is equally important. Incision and drainage remains the cornerstone of treatment, but technique can affect failure and recurrence rates. For patients with recurrent disease, decolonisation strategies and broader risk factors also come into play.

Watch the video below for a clear, case-based walkthrough of how to approach these presentations in practice.

Watch the presentation

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About Dr Vincenzo Piccolo

Dr Vincenzo Piccolo is a dermatologist in private practice as well as responsible for the Paediatric Dermatology Service, Dermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy. At the university, Dr Piccolo teaches the advanced course Management and Treatment of Skin Cancer and is also in the Paediatrics Residency School. He is the author of 92 scientific publications in international journals. 

 

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