Facebook Pixel
Q: 

Boils during pregnant and really freaking out!

By May 23, 2010 - 10:15pm
 
Rate This

I seem to get boils while pregnant and they are always near or on the "lady parts" area. Nobody seems especially worried about this, but I am still freaking out. I went to the dr. to try and have it cultured but he just said it was fine and they tend to heal up entirely on their own...but then I get a new one later. I've only had two larges ones and the rest look more like pimples...or they will just form small nodules under the skin with no pain, redness, or swelling. I have one like that on the labia right now. It's flesh colored, not painful, and had a small whitehead which I accidentally popped. It was a very small amount and I used antiseptic just in case. My care provider said that since they heal very quickly and since the drainage I do have is actually more amber in color than pus-like... it means my immune system is doing a good job of handling things. Should I worry about my baby in all of this? I'm due to deliver at any given moment and I'm terrified of passing staph to him. But when nobody else seems concerned... what can I do? Would cleaning myself with antiseptic daily do the trick?

Add a Comment6 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had never had a boil in my life until late in my one and only pregnancy. I ended up with more than 20 boils on my body at the time of delivery. I had 11 boils on my left armpit, several on my right armpit, around my vagina, the area where underwear creases along that area. They all dried up within a week after the delivery of my healthy child. I have continued to get the odd boil over the last 14 years. Nothing works other than turmeric. Topical water/ turmeric paste and warm water “shots” of turmeric taken internally. I wish I had an explication for this.

November 18, 2018 - 9:56am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello, Anon.

If you have recurring boils, and/or have several boils in the same place (called a carbuncle - cluster of boils) tell your doctor. Recurring boils may point to MRSA infection or an increase in other types of staph bacteria in the body and should be looked into.

Helena

November 18, 2018 - 7:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have a boil under my arm and near to my vagina and on my bottom light spotting what's happening

February 5, 2016 - 8:23am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Are you pregnant? If so, how far along are you?
If you are pregnant, then you must contact your obstetrician about the spotting. It may be nothing, but you must report it.

Because your vagina is inside your body, I am assuming you have notice a boil in your perineal area.

Most boils are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and inside the nose. Boils sometimes develop at sites where the skin has been broken by a small injury or an insect bite, which gives the bacteria easy entry.

Anonymous, since you have boils in three areas of your body, particularly in your perineal area and buttocks, I suggest you contact your physician and have these looked at.

Regards,
Maryann

February 5, 2016 - 9:37am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

im 17 weeks pregnant and I have a boil on my stomach I always got them around my buttocks area before I'm worried can I pass something to the baby?

November 19, 2012 - 6:31am

Hi Writer

We've had a couple of questions on this before: https://www.empowher.com/condition/search/boils-during-pregnancy

As far as delivery, I don't think you have to worry because whether it is vaginal or C-section, they will clean the area with antibacterial liquid they clean the baby right away as well, so that should not be a huge issue.

In the meantime, I have known doctors to suggest Phisohex or Phisoderm or similar wash for this kind of problem, but check with your doctor and see if that is an option for you. There may be a reason it is not a good idea. If the doc isn't worried about it, you can relax a bit, too. The doc has likely delivered more babies than you have, and has probably seen this many times before. Some people treat boils with tea tree oil. You could ask about that as well-I'm not sure whether it is okay to use on your genitals, but it does have natural antibiotic type properties.

It sounds like you are doing everything right. You have good hygiene and warm soaks can also help on a specific boil to soften it a bit. Thank you for writing, congratulations and good luck. Please let us know how you do.

May 24, 2010 - 9:13am
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.

Boils

Get Email Updates

Boils Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!