Boil is a skin infection caused by hair follicles, which results in localized accumulation of pus and dead tissue. They can gather and form their interconnected networks called carbuncles. Causes of boils are bacterial migration of hair follicles that could extend to cellulites and abscess formation. This infection is very common during summers and can affect any part of body. Boils during pregnancy are very tough to handle as they affect the skin directly.
Skin boils in pregnancy make the unborn child susceptible to infection due to genetic transfer of spores of bacterium staphylococcus aureus. Staph boils require immediate treatment, quarantine of patient or her items of personal use like garments, towels, razors, soap etc to avoid further spread of germs. Utmost cleanliness and hygienic environment is required by the patient to get rid of boils at the earliest for safe delivery of child. As bacterial boils are infectious, other people are advised not to touch patient's wound or cut and her personal belongings.
There are some myths attached to boils and pregnancy such as baby is born with deformity or there are chances of miscarriage. Doctors firmly reject these myths, but repeated attacks of boils while pregnancy can cause genetic transfer of bacteria from mother to child. So patients are normally prescribed penicillin medicines after studying bacterial culture through pus. Extreme care is taken to keep the unborn child safe from side effects of antibiotic for germs. Severe cases of boils are treated with surgical means.
There are some pregnancy facts which the mother should be made aware by her physician while treating for boils. Patients are suggested to apply heating pad or bathe the boil in warm water mixed with Epsom salt. Heat helps in formation of tip of the boil, which helps in flowing out pus. There are chances that patient might get an infection while undergoing treatment for boils and pregnancy together. Patient suffering from fever or veins noticeable near boils require immediate medical attention.
You should immediately consult your doctor if boils occur during pregnancy. Take proper medicine and antibiotics and eat fresh and healthy food along with it. Dressing of wounds and pus should be done properly at frequent intervals. Laboratory checkup of blood and wound pus should be done for better treatment and to prevent further problems.
There is a minimum risk that infection might get transferred to baby so prevention should be done at level best to cure boils as early as possible.