How pus appears in acne. Causes and treatment of purulent acne on the face

Reasons for appearance

Possible causes and treatment are closely related, so it is initially necessary to find out why purulent pimples appear on the face and what factors influence their formation.

This phenomenon is observed due to the following deviations:

Hormonal imbalance. Most often, the appearance of acne is observed during puberty, when restructuring begins in the body, which leads to the active work of the sebaceous glands. Also, a hormonal surge occurs during pregnancy and menstruation. If purulent pimples appear on the face, the reasons for their formation may lie in incorrectly selected hormonal drugs or birth control pills.
Insufficient facial skin hygiene . Improper care or lack thereof leads to the proliferation of bacterial organisms on the surface of the epidermis. They not only provoke purulent rashes, but also contribute to the development of various skin diseases.
Cosmetical tools. People with problem skin need to be more careful when choosing cosmetics. Many foundations clog enlarged pores, thereby worsening the condition of the skin, causing inflammation and rashes on the face.
Poor metabolism . Regular consumption of fatty foods and insufficient exercise lead to poor metabolism. This lifestyle not only contributes to excess weight gain, but is also accompanied by the formation of pimples with pus.
Allergy . Reactions to certain foods and environmental factors are often accompanied by irritation and rash.
Diseases of internal organs . The causes of purulent acne may be associated with various pathologies in the functioning of organs. In this case, it is possible to cure inflammation if the underlying problem is eliminated.
Vitamin deficiency . A lack of vitamins has a bad effect on the skin, making it dull. In addition, natural protection against the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms is reduced.
State of stress . Deviations in the functioning of the nervous system lead to a decrease in immunity and the body’s ability to resist bacterial attack. Purulent acne on the face is a consequence of this phenomenon.

Regular cleansing of the skin prevents acne in many cases. There is no need to neglect it, even if another factor is considered the primary source of acne. In particular, do not forget about removing makeup before going to bed.

Preventive actions

It is much easier to take preventive measures against purulent acne than to then deal with them over a long period. Basic recommendations regarding the prevention of skin defects concern the following points: observing the rules of personal hygiene, completely cleansing the face of makeup before going to bed, selecting individual cosmetics in accordance with the characteristics of the epidermis.

Experts in the field of cosmetology and dermatology emphasize the importance of proper nutrition. The diet should be balanced and rational, with a predominance of fresh vegetables and fruits. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of excessively fried, fatty foods, flour products, which lead to blockage of the sebaceous ducts and as a result leads to suppuration in the acne area.

It should be remembered that self-removal of a pimple is acceptable, but only in cases where it is fully formed. In this case, hands must be thoroughly disinfected, and the location of the acne after its removal must be wiped with a vasoconstrictor lotion.

Experts recommend not wiping your face after washing, but blotting it with paper towels to avoid unnecessary trauma to the upper layers of the epidermis. If towels are used in the presence of purulent acne, it is recommended to change them every day due to the fact that bacteria settle on the tissues and infect healthy areas of the skin.

Acne classification

Rashes differ in appearance and location on the skin. In addition, each type has its own causes. There are the following types of acne:

Purulent acne, blackheads and enlarged pores are formed due to poor skin cleansing. They are observed in the T-zone, since this area contains the largest number of sebaceous glands.
Red purulent pimples on the face are hormonal in nature. In this case, they can be found on the forehead and chin.

If comedones are infectious in nature, then such pimples are called papules. They look like small pinkish balls, without a head. In advanced cases, they settle deep under the skin and acquire a scarlet tint. Classified as nodes.

If the red pimples are itchy, then there is a possibility that this phenomenon is the result of an allergic reaction.

White, purulent pimples or pustules (photo below) may appear due to excessive accumulation of sebum. They are formed due to digestive system failures, teenage changes, and poor skin cleansing. Most often they are large in size with a white head. To cure a large purulent pimple, you need a systematic approach, consisting of proper care, nutrition, and health care.

Main types and properties of ulcers

Ulcers can form on various parts of the face - forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, temples, etc. They are divided into several types, depending on the size and nature of the inflammation:

cysts - they are painful, several foci located closely under the skin gradually turn into one large abscess;
pustules - pus-filled balls surrounded by reddened skin;
nodules - neglected pustules, when the pus could not come out, and inflammation affects the deep layers of the skin;
papules are small rashes.

No matter what the abscess turns out to be, it is not recommended to ignore its appearance. Otherwise, such rashes will eventually appear not only on the face, but also on other parts of the body (back, etc.). In severe cases, the abscess develops into a boil, and surgical intervention will be required to remove it.

It is strictly not recommended to try to open purulent pimples on your own. It is not a fact that the abscess has completely matured; it is quite painful and ineffective; the risk of damaging the skin and causing infection again is too high.

Forced squeezing out of pus often leads to the formation of a new abscess in the same place after 1-2 days, much larger in size than the old one. Why is this happening? Part of the purulent core remained inside the skin, and the inflammation began to progress.

Treatment

There are several methods to combat purulent acne: medication, cosmetic treatment and home therapy. In many cases, special preparation of the skin is necessary before treating the rash. It is steamed by holding your face over a hot bath for some time. As a result, the pores open, cleansing occurs more effectively, and the applied medications penetrate and are absorbed well.

Medication

A large selection of ointments, gels and creams makes it possible to choose the most suitable product. The following products are especially popular. Baziron AS, characteristics:

destroys microbial organisms, preventing them from multiplying and spreading;
applied to previously cleansed skin;
the pustular rash on the face will disappear if you rub the drug twice a day;
contraindications include pregnancy, lactation and age under 12 years;
may cause dryness and flaking.

Skinoren, characteristics:

is prescribed if the ulcers on the face have already spread and are in an advanced state;
Apply the gel to the affected areas using massaging movements;
the rash goes away in about a month;
During the action of the drug, burning and itching may be felt.

Ichthyol ointment , characteristics:

has a powerful antimicrobial effect;
relieves irritation and inflammation;
relieves pain;
stimulates blood circulation, thereby triggering the delivery of oxygen to the affected tissues;
purulent acne located deep under the skin can be treated. Then the medicine is applied overnight to draw out the contents.

Zenerite, characteristics:

treats white pustules on the face;
has a wide spectrum of action, so it easily destroys different types of bacteria;
regenerates damaged areas in a short time, controls sebum production;
allowed during pregnancy and lactation;
There are side effects in the form of redness and irritation.

Vishnevsky ointment, characteristics:

used to solve many problems associated with inflammation;
the principle of action is to warm the affected area, thereby provoking the maturation of the pimple and the removal of its contents;
has a natural composition and a specific smell;
You can apply it for several hours, or make a compress for the whole night.

How to remove a purulent pimple on the face if these products have not yet been purchased, but you need to look flawless? In this case, an aspirin tablet, which is probably present in every first aid kit, will help. It is pounded, a little water is added, then the pulp is spread on the problem area. The active substances included in the drug destroy bacteria.

Cosmetology

In beauty salons there are a number of procedures aimed at combating purulent rashes. Hardware cosmetology and deep cleansing have gained the most popularity.

Let's present the most popular and effective of them:

Laser therapy. With the help of heat, the sebaceous glands and pathogenic microorganisms present are affected. They are destroyed, thereby preventing inflammation and pustular rashes. To achieve maximum results, you must complete the full course.
Phototherapy. Based on the influence of light waves on the layers of the epidermis. Bacteria are destroyed and the production of collagen and elastin is stimulated. Thanks to this procedure, pus does not form under the skin, and acne disappears.
Peeling . It has many advantages, as this method not only treats a purulent rash on the face, but also eliminates pigment spots, scars, the effects of post-acne and other skin defects. The superficial keratinized layer of skin is also removed, making it smooth and soft.
Cleaning . Blackheads are removed. Mechanically remove pus and impurities from the pores. In this case, the specialist uses certain cosmetic tools - a strainer and a spoon. The cleaning itself is accompanied by a number of unpleasant consequences, as the skin is injured. It is carried out no more than twice every six months. It is necessary to use a healing ointment or cream.
Ozone therapy. If purulent pimples appear periodically on the face, ozone treatment will help cope with this problem. The substance envelops the abscess, relieving inflammation and eliminating excess sebum.
Cryotherapy. Large purulent pimples on the face can be removed by exposure to liquid nitrogen. After such a session, they dry out in a short time and go away completely.

Folk remedies

Sometimes the rash occurs so unexpectedly that there is no opportunity to visit the pharmacy, or the use of pharmaceutical drugs causes a negative reaction on sensitive skin. Therefore, many are interested in how to treat purulent acne on the face at home using only natural ingredients.

Let's present a few effective recipes:

Decoctions. This product contains herbs that have antimicrobial, soothing and healing properties. The most commonly used are St. John's wort and chamomile. These plants are mixed in equal proportions and filled with hot water. Then boil for about half an hour. There are several ways to get rid of purulent acne on the face with the resulting decoction. You can wipe your skin at least twice a day, or freeze the liquid into cubes and use it in the morning. This use has an additional tonic effect.
Aloe . This plant is very effective in combating single rashes. If a purulent pimple appears on your nose, then you should apply a cut piece of aloe to it and fix it overnight. In the morning, the remains of the blackhead are removed with a cotton pad. The pulp of the leaves is also used to prepare lotions necessary to eliminate more extensive lesions. Fill it with a small amount of water, let it stand for an hour, then bring to a boil. The resulting infusion is used to treat rashes.
Plantain . The most affordable and useful remedy in the summer. In order to get healing juice, you need to find a large, healthy plant with juicy, fleshy leaves. After squeezing well, wipe your face as often as possible. It has antiseptic effects and improves blood circulation.
Oatmeal mask. Oatmeal is mixed with egg and lemon juice. Add a small amount of boiled water and let it brew until the cereal softens and swells. This mixture is applied to problem areas for 20 minutes, then washed off and a nourishing cream is used. This method has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the sebaceous glands and dries out rashes well.
Oils. Regularly treating the face with oils not only relieves inflammation and redness, but also charges the epidermis with vitamins and helps renew its cellular structure. This method of dealing with purulent acne is only suitable for those with dry skin. Oils can be different, for example olive, peach or apricot.

Squeezing out pus: how to do it correctly

If you decide to squeeze out a pimple with your own hands, try to prepare and do it correctly, preventing the infection from spreading and contaminating the skin.

You can squeeze only fully mature pimples that have a white head without redness of the dermis around it, and do not hurt when pressed lightly! The face is pre-cleansed and steamed by washing with hot water or holding over steam for 3-5 minutes.

Then proceed to the procedure itself:

treat hands and several cotton pads with a disinfectant solution (alcohol, chlorhexidine, peroxide);
cotton pads are carefully wrapped around the fingers;
put your fingers as close to the head of the pimple as possible;
With a light movement they try to grab the skin and squeeze out all the pus out in one go.

There is no need to press on the same pimple repeatedly! Try to do this the first time, and then disinfect the wound and apply a cold compress or a piece of ice to it.

After this, you can apply a thin layer of any ointment for open wounds (lekomekol, etc.). If you do this procedure in the evening, in the morning only a pale pink mark will remain at the site of the pimple, which will disappear after 1-2 days.

Prevention

As already noted, treating purulent acne is not an easy process, so it is easier to prevent their occurrence. Proper hygiene, care, balanced nutrition and health care are the basis of clear skin. Some preventive measures will help achieve the desired result:

it is necessary to carefully care for your facial skin;
do not forget to wash off decorative cosmetics at night;
if a purulent pimple appears, do not squeeze it out under any circumstances, but apply the medicine;
consume enough vitamins with food every day, or drink vitamin complexes;
limit your consumption of fatty and sweet foods, add more fruits (low in sugar) and vegetables to your diet;
use high-quality cosmetics, preferably with natural ingredients;
if the skin is prone to oiliness and pustular pimples appear periodically, it is necessary to use special products to prevent their formation and normalize the activity of the sebaceous glands;
use medications correctly, especially hormonal ones. A doctor's supervision is necessary in this matter.

Despite the fact that many people suffer from purulent rashes, the approach to their treatment should be individual. A variety of therapeutic methods makes it possible to choose the most suitable and effective for each specific case.

Severity

The severity of acne is divided into several degrees:

Limited areas of the face are affected. Comedones appear most often. Pustules and papules occur in single quantities.
The rash affects a much larger area of the face and also appears on the body. The nature of the rashes is the same as in the first stage, that is, mainly comedones, pustules and papules appear rarely.
In the third degree, comedones, pustules and papules are formed in large numbers. Pimples are pronounced and can cause itching. Traces of post-acne are observed: the presence of scars and cicatrices.
The fourth degree is the most dangerous. Purulent pimples, the diameter of which is more than 0.5 cm, form not only on the face, but also on the body, affecting a fairly large area of the skin. If the formations are located close to each other, they can be connected using fistulous tracts. Treatment of purulent acne of this severity can be successful, but the formations leave behind deep atrophic scars.

Reviews

Irina 30 years old:

To get rid of purulent acne I used different methods. The aloe mask helped the best. It is more effective than many creams and ointments. This plant can pull out even the deepest pimple.

Alena, 24 years old: Since adolescence, purulent acne has constantly bothered me, the situation especially worsened before menstruation. I used different means, but the results did not last long. Baziron AS came to the rescue, I have been using it for several years, it is easy to apply, does not dry out the skin, and eliminates the problem in a short time.

Hormonal imbalance in newborns

Even very tiny babies can develop acne due to a disruption in the natural balance of hormones. It is not uncommon for a child to be born with skin covered in rashes. They can also occur in babies two or three days old, but most often children aged 1-2 months suffer from hormonal rashes. The most common cause of such manifestations is a hormonal crisis caused by excess estrogen (the female sex hormone). Produced in a woman's ovaries and pituitary gland, it enters the baby's blood through the placenta.

If this happens, the appearance of your baby's skin becomes similar to the acne-covered skin of a teenager. And if it is dry, it may experience slight flaking. As a rule, such symptoms reach their maximum intensity around the age of three weeks, then they decline and after 1-1.5 months the baby’s skin is completely cleared of acne on its own. If this has not happened by the age of 3 months, you should consult a doctor to prescribe a healing ointment.

Such a rash does not indicate an allergic reaction or infection; it is influenced by the hormonal processes occurring in the baby’s body, so it does not require specific therapy.

Due to the absence of comedones (clogged pores) in pimples, they rarely fester. Most often, treatment of hormonal rashes in infancy is based on careful adherence to skin care rules: daily water procedures using boiled water. When breastfeeding a child naturally, the mother does not need to change her usual diet.

You should not resort to self-medication, especially using ointments containing hormones, antibiotics and alcohol-containing products. If an incomprehensible rash, and even more so ulcers, appears on the face, back or entire body of a newborn, it is better to consult a specialist. Such signs can indicate not only a hormonal imbalance, but also much more serious problems with the baby’s health.

Additional Methods

To speed up the process of treating a rash on the face, it is advisable to visit beauty salons in parallel with drug therapy. This will be needed to get rid of unaesthetic pigmentation in a timely manner. To even out the tone and structure of your skin, you will be offered various professional products. But if there are noticeable spots on the skin, masks and creams alone will not do. You will have to use the services of hardware cosmetology, in particular, laser resurfacing.

During facial skin treatment, it is advisable to refrain from using cosmetics. If this is not possible, then make it a rule to remove all makeup from your face at night and give your skin rest. When purchasing new cosmetics, pay attention to their hypoallergenicity and ability to clog pores.

Decoctions and infusions are suitable for daily care of inflamed skin.