Boil during pregnancy: is it dangerous? Risks and precautions to know

Hormonal changes related to pregnancy can promote the appearance of boils, sometimes requiring special attention. What are the risks of a boil during pregnancy? When should you be concerned and what treatments are safe for your baby?

Boil during pregnancy dangerous: let’s take a closer look.

Boil during pregnancy: what is it?

To better understand the risks and precautions to take during pregnancy, it is essential to know what a boil is and why this period can promote its appearance.

What is a boil?

A boil is a deep, localized, and painful skin infection caused by bacteria. This inflammatory lesion begins in a pilosebaceous follicle, the root of a hair, which once infected develops into a red, swollen, and warm sore. Quickly, the infection forms a painful pus-filled nodule that may open spontaneously and release this yellowish fluid.

The classic clinical signs of a boil include:

• a red, swollen, and painful area to the touch (often on the face, neck, buttocks, or thighs),
• the appearance of a central white or yellowish point,
• a sensation of heat and discomfort,
• sometimes a mild fever or swollen lymph nodes near the infected area.

A boil differs from other skin infections such as impetigo, an abscess, or infected eczema due to its depth, nodular appearance, and the systematic presence of pus.

Why does pregnancy promote boils?

Pregnancy is a period of major changes, especially for your skin and immune system, which can make you more vulnerable to skin infections such as boils. Several specific factors are involved:

• Hormonal changes: pregnancy hormones alter sebum production and the quality of your skin, sometimes making it oilier or more fragile.
• Weakened immune system: to tolerate the new cells brought by your baby, your body adjusts its defenses. This slight weakening of the immune system makes it easier for germs to multiply on the skin.
• Increased sweating and friction: pregnancy is often accompanied by hypersudation (heavy sweating), which promotes moisture buildup and bacterial colonization, especially under tight clothing or in skin folds.
• Skin changes: your skin may become more sensitive and prone to small wounds or micro-injuries, ideal entry points for infectious bacteria.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

Boil during pregnancy: is it dangerous? When should you worry?

Although a boil is most often harmless and heals on its own, certain situations require special attention, especially during pregnancy when treatment options must be carefully evaluated.

Boil during pregnancy: warning signs

Even though most boils evolve favorably, certain symptoms should prompt you to consult a healthcare professional quickly:

• a fever higher than 38°C (100.4°F),
• a rapid increase in the size or pain of the lesion,
• the appearance of swollen and tender lymph nodes nearby,
• spreading redness or inflammation around the boil,
• the presence of several grouped boils (risk of carbuncle, a more severe and deeper form that can occur when you handle the boil without disinfecting your hands),
• a general feeling of malaise.

Boil during pregnancy: what are the risks?

A boil during pregnancy can sometimes develop into an abscess that is difficult to drain and may require appropriate antibiotic treatment (such as amoxicillin) or even a medical procedure. However, some antibiotics should be avoided during this period, while others require close monitoring.

It is therefore essential never to self-medicate and to seek advice from a professional before taking any medication, even for a seemingly minor issue. Regular medical follow-up will help choose the safest treatment and avoid complications.

What treatment for a boil in pregnant women?

There are treatments adapted for when a boil appears during pregnancy. Your healthcare professional will know which one to prescribe.

Boil during pregnancy: care and hygiene measures

The first steps to promote the healing of a boil rely on hygiene measures and local care:

• Clean the lesion: gently wash the wound and the skin around the boil daily with water and mild soap to limit bacterial growth and prevent the spread of infectious germs.
• Protect the area: cover the boil with a clean, dry bandage, to be changed daily or whenever it becomes soiled, to reduce the risk of contaminating other skin areas or people around you.
• Avoid touching it: never try to pop the boil yourself! This could spread the pus and worsen the infection.
• Wash your hands: after each treatment or contact with the infected area to avoid transmitting bacteria.

Boil during pregnancy: medications and medical procedures

As you can see, self-medication is strongly discouraged during pregnancy. Even if some medications seem harmless, using them without medical advice can expose both you and your baby to risks.

• Antibiotics: the selection of antibiotic therapy depends on the nature of the infection, its level of severity, and the sensitivity of the responsible pathogens. This choice must be made by your healthcare professional.
• Medical drainage: if the boil becomes very painful, large, or does not heal, a small medical procedure may be necessary to safely drain the pus.

How to prevent boils during pregnancy?

Simple actions and appropriate vigilance can reduce the risk of skin infections and prevent their spread. Here is how to protect your skin in everyday life.

During pregnancy, your skin often becomes more sensitive and your immune system experiences variations that promote the growth of bacteria such as staphylococcus. To limit the appearance of infectious skin lesions, here are some simple hygiene measures to adopt:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching an infected area or after treating a wound or boil.
• Shower daily and carefully dry skin folds (armpits, groin, under the breasts) to limit moisture buildup and the growth of germs.
• Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, razors, or clothing with other household members to prevent the transmission of infectious bacteria.
• Change bath linens regularly and wash them at high temperatures.
• Disinfect and cover wounds or skin lesions: a small cut or scratched pimple can become an entry point for bacteria and develop into a boil.
• Avoid touching lesions to prevent spreading the infection or causing a painful abscess.
• Keep a small hand sanitizer in your bag for situations where access to soap and water is not possible.

In summary, although a boil during pregnancy is most often harmless, it deserves special attention. Hormonal and immune changes can promote its appearance and, in some cases, complicate its progression.

Adopting good hygiene habits, avoiding manipulating the lesion, and consulting quickly in case of warning signs generally help prevent complications. If in doubt, it is always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional to receive treatment that is safe and appropriate for both you and your baby.

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Photo credits: nd3000 | drazenphoto | gpointstudio | drazenphoto

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.