The commonest cause/source of all these boils for babies is from HANDS OF ADULTS that carry babies. Especially in Nigeria, we do not wash our hands routinely and yet everyone will just carry babies with their unwashed hands full of staph!!! The bacteria in your hands will not hurt you but for a baby whose immunity is just maturing, it can cause all these soft tissue and skin infection. I used to tell my mums when going home, only mum and one other assistant who washes her hands frequently should be allowed to carry and touch babies!!! Every other person coming to visit should be requested to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer BEFORE touching babies before they transfer germs to the new baby. Since that may not be culturally correct, better to keep baby in cot zipped so they can just see than for every one carrying baby and introducing germs.

Summary of prevention: PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN BEFORE AND AFTER DOING ANYTHING FOR BABIES.

AVOID PEOPLE CARRYING BABIES WITH UNWASHED HANDS. IF YOU USE CRECHE, PLEASE ASK THEM TO FOLLOW THIS PRINCIPLE IN BETWEEN CARE OF THE BABIES.

USE GENTLE ANTISEPTICS LIKE SAVON IN BATH WATER.

AVOID USING ANTIBIOTICS THAT ARE NOT INDICATED OR PRESCRIBED BY THE DOCTOR

USE ANTIBIOTICS AS PRESCRIBED AND FOR THE DURATION RECOMMENDED.