Carbuncles or boils while pregnant

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Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Thank you for reaching out to our community with your issue.

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.

If several boils appear in a group, this is a more serious type of infection called a carbuncle.

Most boils are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This germ enters the body through tiny nicks or cuts in the skin or can travel down the hair to the follicle.

Anonymous, I can appreciate your concern about taking the prescribed antibiotics.
However, a physician will prescribe an antibiotic when the infection is severe.

According to drugs.com, it is not safe to take Co-amoxiclav or Cefuroxime if you are pregnant.

Have you tried using warm compresses?

Apply warm compresses and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within 10 days of its appearance.
You can make a warm compress by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture.

When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone and clean with rubbing alcohol.

Apply a topical antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
Anonymous, check with your obstetrician first.
Bacitracin and Neosporin are considered safe to use during pregnancy, after the first trimester, according to webMD.

Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals.

Good hygiene is one way to reduce the incidence of boils.

Do not pop the boil with a needle. This could make the infection worse.

Regards,
Maryann