What Causes A Red Painful Lump Under The Rib Cage During Pregnancy?

Posted on Tue, 1 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 1 Mar 2016 Answered on

Thu, 12 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : im 27 weeks pregnant to my right side there is a very painful pea size lump. what could this be, only there since today?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably a boil.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific
To recapitulate: Female/25 - 27 weeks pregnant - very painful lump on the right side - pea sized - since today only.

The size and the pain indicate this is a boil, which increases fast and hence causes too much pain. Another remote possibility is an insect bite.

Please give additional information:
Where exactly is the lump?
What color is the skin? Any redness?
I hope there is no history of an insect bite.
If possible, please post clear photographs as they help for on-the-spot diagnosis.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (7 minutes later)

its under my skin, not raised above the skin at all. no redness to area on skin at all, only felt beneath the skin. Its under my ribcage, feels just seperate from where my womb ends and muscle starts

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
same diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Thank for your feedback.
This is most probably a boil or an infected small sebaceous cyst.

This probably is not connected to the uterus as such lumps are not known to occur in relation to the pregnant uterus that can present like this.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar