Purulent acne on the face certainly causes a lot of inconvenience. Such rashes not only spoil the appearance, but are also evidence of active inflammatory processes in the body. To combat such problems, there are many methods, ranging from folk recipes to special medications. Which solution should you choose in order to achieve the best result?
Causes of acne
Before determining how to treat such rashes, it is necessary to find out what causes their appearance. After all, only by eliminating the cause can you say goodbye to its consequences forever. So, purulent acne appears due to:
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
- Hormonal imbalances (for example, adolescence, pregnancy, etc.);
- Frequent stressful situations;
- Using a large number of antibiotics;
- Poor nutrition and non-compliance with healthy lifestyle standards (for example, alcohol, smoking, etc.);
- Carrying out depilation.
All of the above reasons are strictly individual. Many people eat fatty and spicy foods all their lives, do not take care of the nervous system, and at the same time do not suffer at all from the manifestations of inflammatory processes. However, such explanations may well justify the occurrence of rashes on the face and body.
Purulent acne is primarily associated with excessive production of subcutaneous fat. Its excess leads to blockage of the pores, and under unfavorable circumstances, inflammation caused by bacteria living on the skin occurs in them. The swelling, which contains pus, forms unexpectedly quickly and is characterized by gradual maturation and increase in size.
Surgical methods for opening ulcers
The main method of treating ulcers is surgical method. An abscess can be eliminated by opening the capsule containing pus. Sometimes doctors limit themselves to puncture, pump out the pus, and inject an antibiotic into the affected area. The affected area, where there was previously pus, must be washed with a solution of Rivanol or Furacilin.
Skin care after surgery
After the operation, you should not pick at the inflamed area to avoid infection. To change the old dressing, the patient will need a bandage and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate the infection. The wound must be treated until it heals. Before carrying out all operations, it is important not to forget to wash your hands.
In order not to encounter severe forms of boils, prevention of pustular skin diseases is necessary. After all, this is how you can prevent the appearance of complex abscesses.
What should and should not be done?
If you are serious about getting rid of pimples, then forget about the idea of squeezing the pus out of them by hand. Such actions can provoke the entry of a large number of microbes into the open wound and the appearance of significant complications. Quite often, at the site of a pimple from which the pus has been squeezed out, a stain or scar forms, spoiling a person’s appearance. If you don’t believe in such consequences, be sure to look at the photo below.
If necessary, the procedure for opening a purulent pimple on the face is carried out under the supervision of specialists in a cosmetology office.
Also, treatment should not be avoided. There is a small chance that purulent pimples will go away on their own, but the chance that they may become larger is much greater. A specialist dermatologist will help you find the optimal way out of this situation. After a detailed examination, he will identify the causes of inflammation and prescribe the most effective treatment.
Video: “Treatment of boils”
If you don’t pay attention to your appearance and ignore pimples on your skin, there is a small chance that they will disappear on their own, but much more often such pimples become inflamed and fester, after which it becomes much more difficult to treat them. Deep, subcutaneous pimples with purulent contents most often appear on the nose, chin and back, in places where there are many sebaceous glands. Such internal pimples may not make themselves felt for several days, pretending to be harmless red spots, and then, unexpectedly, turn into an inflamed abscess, very painful and unsightly. There are several ways to get rid of a purulent pimple:
- seek help from a cosmetologist;
- wait until the pimple matures and open it with a surgeon or risk doing it yourself;
- draw pus out of a pimple at home, without waiting for pus to appear on the surface of the skin.
How to cure purulent inflammation using traditional methods?
What folk remedies are the most effective in the fight against purulent inflammation on the skin of the face and body? There are quite a few options, in general, they are quite effective and have almost no contraindications. However, their use should be regular and long-term.
Spicy mustard
A fairly popular method that can be used to treat rashes on both the face and body. Mustard is applied to pimples pointwise, with light movements, without any pressure. Manipulations must be carried out three times a day until the inflammation disappears completely. The duration of applying the product to the face should not exceed half an hour, after which it should be washed off.
Wormwood tincture
To prepare this recipe, you will need dried and crushed wormwood leaves. Two tablespoons of the specified raw material are poured with boiling water. After the infusion has been well brewed and settled, it is filtered and used to treat problem areas or as a base for compresses. You can use the tincture 3 – 4 times a day.
Plantain
For local treatment of inflammation, you can use plantain juice. Collect the leaves and stems of the plant, wash and dry them thoroughly. Squeeze out a small amount of juice and apply it to each purulent pimple, being careful not to damage the membrane. Plantain juice is applied several times a day until purulent acne disappears completely.
Aloe compress
Common agave (aloe) is a leader in the fight against acute inflammation of the skin. It can perfectly draw out pus and dry out the pimple. Cut the aloe leaf crosswise and apply the juicy pulp to the inflammation. Secure the aloe leaf with a bandage and leave it overnight. The next morning you will notice that the swelling has decreased in size. The procedure should be repeated within 5 days, however, most likely the inflammation is localized much earlier.
Clay mask
If purulent rashes on the face are widespread, then to combat them you can use a mask consisting of ordinary water (3 tablespoons), sea salt (half a teaspoon) and pharmaceutical blue clay (2 tablespoons). Mix the ingredients and apply to your face for 15-20 minutes. After 2-3 procedures, you will notice a real effect, acne will begin to decrease, and soon it will disappear completely. However, this remedy does not eliminate the true causes of the rash, so acne may appear again after a while.
Calendula for scars
If you do squeeze out pimples on your face or body, and unsightly spots appear in their place, be sure to treat them with calendula tincture with alcohol. Spot application twice a day will give your skin an even, healthy appearance over time.
From the pharmacy shelf
To speed up the maturation of a subcutaneous pimple and the appearance of a white purulent head, most acne sufferers prefer to use simple and inexpensive pharmaceutical preparations with a pulling, antimicrobial and antiseptic effect. These include ichthyol ointment, balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky and Levomekol.
Only proven products should be used to treat skin
Vishnevsky ointment, made on the basis of birch tar, occupies a leading position in the list of medications that can cure subcutaneous acne.
This inexpensive drug is able to draw out pus in just one application due to its high efficiency. It fights pathogenic bacteria that cause acne, reduces inflammation and speeds up the regeneration of damaged skin.
Compresses based on Vishnevsky's ointment will help draw out the pus: after cleansing the skin, apply a thick layer of the drug to the pimples, cover with a gauze cloth on top and secure. The compress should be left on the face overnight, and in the morning, wipe the treated areas with salicylic acid.
If necessary, the procedure can be carried out within 2-3 days. Vishnevsky's liniment can be used not only to eliminate deep subcutaneous inflammation, but also in cases where suppuration has already risen to the upper layers of the epidermis.
Another effective remedy that pulls out acne in the shortest possible time is ichthyol ointment. It has a completely different composition, but acts similarly to the drug described above.
Ichthyol ointment kills pathogenic bacteria
If the acne is not located too deep under the skin, ichthyol ointment can be applied to the inflamed areas for 1-1.5 hours, and for more extensive purulent nodes, the product should be left on the skin in the form of a compress overnight.
Ichthyol ointment with the addition of zinc, which also has anti-inflammatory and drying properties, has an even stronger effect.
Ichthyol ointment and Vishnevsky's liniment remove internal acne very well and quickly, but many are put off by the specific unpleasant smell of these drugs. In this case, another pulling ointment will come to the rescue - Levomekol, the main active ingredient of which is the antibiotic chloramphenicol.
Levomekol has a powerful antibacterial effect, due to which, after 1-2 applications, inflammation is reduced, microbes are destroyed, and pus is released into the surface layers of the epidermis.
It is also best to use the product in the form of compresses, but you should not use this method of treating internal acne too often: bacteria that cause acne can develop resistance to chloramphenicol, and the drug will become useless in eliminating subcutaneous inflammation.
In most cases, these remedies help to draw out the pus in just a few applications, but in particularly severe situations, long-term complex treatment may be necessary, which requires a mandatory consultation with a dermatovenerologist.
Questions and answers
The result depends entirely on how correct the treatment of purulent acne is.
It is not surprising that many questions arise about this topic.
What to do if they appear on a child’s face
- Do not press under any circumstances or treat with products containing alcohol or containing salicylic acid. On delicate skin they can cause severe burns, leaving noticeable marks.
- The child must be examined by a doctor, since purulent pimples can be a sign of a serious bacterial infection (for example, staphylococcal vesiculopustulosis - inflammation of the sweat glands).
READ ALSO: Boils in intimate places: causes and treatment
Photo: if a child has a rash in his mouth, he should be taken to the doctor immediately
It is especially dangerous when the rash is in the ear, throat or nasal mucosa.
If the disease is not treated, the skin condition will only worsen.
Aloe and Vishnevsky ointment are considered the safest means of emergency treatment, since they cannot harm the integument.
However, if the baby has a fever, no appetite and other alarming symptoms are observed, then you should immediately run to the pediatrician.
It is important to follow the rules of hygiene:
- Wash your child’s face with warm water in the morning and before bed;
- regularly do wet cleaning in the room, ventilate;
- ensure that the air temperature in the room does not exceed 22 °C and the humidity does not exceed 80%;
- A mother who is breastfeeding a baby should watch her diet.
Is it possible to squeeze out
When a purulent pimple appears, you immediately want to squeeze it out in order to get rid of the problem as quickly as possible.
But this only leads to a worsening of the condition and a significant delay in recovery.
It is strictly forbidden to open ulcers on your own at home, especially with folliculitis.
Rash actions lead to re-inflammation and secondary infection.
After all, not only are the tissues severely injured, but also the pus may not leak out, but get inside.
Photo: Doctors do not recommend squeezing pimples yourself
The situation is very dangerous, as it can lead to serious consequences, including blood poisoning.
Fortunately, this is rare, but at the site of inflammation there will definitely be a scar or scar. Only a doctor - a dermatologist, surgeon or certified cosmetologist - can extract pus correctly and safely.
However, there are times when you can still squeeze out a pimple.
When it is not red, it does not hurt, and its white head is almost dry and is on the surface of the skin. This means that it has matured, so there is no longer inflammation.
- You should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and treat your skin with an antiseptic or any alcohol solution.
- Then gently pry the pimple from below with your fingernail. Usually this is enough for its contents to come out.
- The wound must be re-disinfected.
Folliculitis and boil
Due to changes in skin pH, excessive sweating, and excessive moisture, folliculitis occurs - inflammation of the hair follicles. It is easy to injure follicles during hair removal when hairs are pulled out inaccurately or in the wrong direction. Then boils appear in the bikini area, under the arms or on the legs.
- They appear as large white or yellow pustules with a red base and a black dot in the center.
- The skin around them is swollen, and body temperature may rise.
Boils reach impressive sizes - up to 10 cm in diameter. But such formations require treatment by an experienced surgeon. They are often opened, drainage is installed to drain the exudate, and systemic antibacterial therapy is required.
Symptoms of purulent wounds
Local and general symptoms of pathology are distinguished. Local symptoms include tissue defects with the presence of purulent exudate, as well as classic signs of inflammation: pain, local fever, local hyperemia, swelling of surrounding tissues and dysfunction. Pain from a purulent wound can be pressing or bursting. When outflow is difficult (due to the formation of a crust, the formation of streaks, the spread of a purulent process), the accumulation of pus and increased pressure in the inflamed area, the pain becomes very intense, twitching and often deprives patients of sleep. The skin around the wound is hot. In the initial stages, during the formation of pus, redness of the skin is observed. If the wound persists for a long time, the redness may give way to a purple or purplish-bluish coloration of the skin.
Two types of edema can be distinguished at the site of the lesion. The edges of the wound are warm and inflammatory. Coincides with the zone of hyperemia, caused by impaired blood flow. Distal to the wound – cold reactive. There is no hyperemia in this area, and swelling of the soft tissues is caused by impaired lymph outflow due to compression of the lymph nodes in the area of inflammation. Dysfunction of the affected area is associated with swelling and pain; the severity of the disorder depends on the size and location of the purulent wound, as well as on the volume and phase of inflammation.
The main symptom of a purulent wound is pus - a liquid containing bacteria, tissue detritus, globulins, albumins, enzymes of leukocyte and microbial origin, fats, cholesterol, DNA admixtures and dead leukocytes. The color and consistency of pus depend on the type of pathogen. Staphylococcus is characterized by thick yellow or white pus, for streptococcus - liquid greenish or yellowish, for E. coli - liquid brown-yellow, for anaerobic microbes - brown, foul-smelling, for pseudomonas infection - yellowish, shimmering blue-green on the bandage (the pus acquires this shade upon contact with oxygen in the external environment). The amount of pus can vary significantly. Areas of necrotic tissue and granulation may be found underneath the pus.
Toxins enter the patient’s body from the wound, which causes the appearance of symptoms of general intoxication. Characterized by fever, loss of appetite, sweating, weakness, chills, headache. Blood tests reveal an acceleration of ESR and leukocytosis with a shift to the left. A urine test reveals protein. In severe cases, there may be an increase in the level of urea, creatinine and bilirubin in the blood, anemia, leukopenia, dysproteinemia and hypoproteinemia. Clinically, with severe intoxication, severe weakness and disturbances of consciousness, up to coma, can be observed.
Depending on the predominant process, the following stages of the purulent process are distinguished: formation of a purulent focus, cleansing and regeneration, healing. All purulent wounds heal by secondary intention.
Preventive measures
To prevent purulent acne from occurring again, you must adhere to the following rules:
- it is necessary to carefully monitor personal hygiene;
- no need to squeeze them out;
- You should remove makeup before going to bed;
- it is necessary to cleanse the skin with special products;
- It is important to eat right, take walks in the fresh air and drink enough water.
Clean skin
- this is one of the criteria of beauty, because it is here that the consequences of various diseases manifest themselves. You can eat a product that is absolutely not suitable for your body, and this will affect your appearance. Sometimes purulent pimples appear, which indicate some kind of disturbance in the functioning of your body.
First of all, it is worth noting that squeezing such pimples
absolutely not, because everything can end with either a slight inflammation or blood poisoning. Many people neglect this rule, and then wonder why acne is not suitable, and its number only increases. Let's talk about why purulent pimples appear in certain places on the body and how to deal with them.
Causes of purulent acne
1. Active work of the sebaceous glands
. We all have different skin types, because some suffer from increased sweating and oily shine, while others cannot choose the right moisturizer to get rid of dryness and a constant feeling of tightness. If there is always an oily film on the surface of your skin, then there is a high probability that you will encounter a problem such as purulent acne. Due to the fact that the sebaceous glands are actively working, pores may become clogged, and this leads to the formation of large purulent pimples.
2. Abuse of antibiotics and hormonal drugs
. The use of strong medications can lead to various types of disorders. If you are taking antibiotics, take additional medications so that your body can resist bacteria.
3. Failure to comply with hygiene rules
. This sounds quite strange to a modern person, but many people really don’t understand that a hard washcloth and thick foam are an excellent prevention of purulent acne on various parts of the body. It is necessary to regularly remove dust, dirt and fat from the surface of the skin so as not to overload the cells and promote their rapid recovery. Be sure to make sure that the washcloth is perfectly clean; to do this, dry it thoroughly each time after use and treat it with antiseptic agents.
4. Hormonal changes due to the female cycle or pregnancy
. Due to changes in the body, some layers may occur in the functioning of various systems. Some chemical compounds change, so there is a chance that unsightly purulent pimples will appear on the body. Many women note that immediately after childbirth, the skin becomes smooth and beautiful again. If a woman is pregnant, then her organs are rebuilt, so many are faced with such a problem as purulent acne not only on the face, but also on the chest, back and shoulders.
5. Illiterate use of decorative cosmetics
. This applies to women who like to wear too much makeup and forget to wash it off before bed. Often the cause of purulent acne is foundation or too oily body lotions. Learn to use cosmetics wisely, and don't skimp on the products you put on yourself. Save self-tanning, tinted body lotions and rich creams for special occasions, and choose something lighter for every day.
Causes of purulent acne on various parts of the body
Purulent in the pubic area
: - Puberty. - Colds of the genital organs. - Venereal diseases.
Pimples on legs
: — Damage to the hair follicle during hair removal — Viral diseases — Vascular diseases, varicose veins — Ingrowth of new hairs
Purulent acne on the chest
: - Serious diseases of internal organs - Hypothermia - Allergic reaction - Malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract - Using clothes made of synthetic fabrics in your wardrobe, which can cause irritation in some people. — Stress — Eating unhealthy foods — Diseases of the reproductive system.
Purulent pimples on the buttocks
: - Excessively dry skin that needs regular moisturizing. — A sedentary lifestyle, which impairs blood circulation. — Heat rash — An allergic reaction to new household chemicals, food or cosmetics. - Hypothermia of the body.
Purulent on the abdomen
: — Allergies — Chickenpox — Syphilis — Colds
Pimples on the neck
: - Frequent use of hormonal drugs - Use of steroids - Use of contraceptives.
Purulent acne on the face
: — Illiterate use of cosmetics — Digestive disorders — Allergic reactions.
Methods to combat purulent acne
In fact, there are quite a large number of different methods that you can use to get rid of purulent acne. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the advice of a dermatologist and cosmetologist, because these specialists can accurately determine your problem and prescribe a course of treatment. Never squeeze pimples, even if you have antiseptics. Of course, you need to start with proper nutrition and hygiene, and only then buy expensive ointments and visit professional cosmetologists and dermatologists.
1. Chemical peeling
. In order to penetrate deeply under the skin, it is necessary to use drugs that are strong enough to act. Salicylic and phenolic acids best help solve this problem. They penetrate deep under the skin and effectively act on the source of inflammation.
2. Ointments
. Sometimes dermatologists prescribe special ointments to their patients that draw the infection to the surface of the skin and kill germs. Visit a specialist and, based on his recommendation, purchase an effective ointment that you can use at home. Ointments are great for daily use and rarely cause allergies.
3. Ultrasound treatment
. With the help of high-frequency vibrations, the pus from the pimple comes to the surface, which is necessary. Ultrasound also effectively kills germs, so there is no need to worry if you decide to prefer this method.
Clean, smooth skin is one of the factors of beauty and healthy appearance of a person. The appearance of any defects, especially on the face, causes a lot of inconvenience. One of the most unpleasant defects is pustular acne. They remain on the skin for quite a long time, are unpleasant in appearance, painful, and, in addition, can leave behind scars. Pustules on the face can be single or multiple. In some cases, they quickly mature and disappear, while in others they remain on the skin for a long time, reach large sizes and are very painful. Purulent pimples can have different shapes and outlines. To quickly get rid of this defect and prevent the appearance of new pustules, the cause of its occurrence should be determined and eliminated.
Most often, the rash of pustules on the face occurs suddenly and sharply. Initially, a small red bump appears on the skin, which can be painful and itchy. Then the abscess begins to grow in size, and a bubble appears in the center filled with white or yellowish contents. In the future, the abscess may further increase, and the pain will also increase, disappearing only after opening the pimple and removing its contents. After this, a wound remains on the skin, which subsequently heals; sometimes a trace may remain at the site of the former abscess in the form of a scar or scar.
Small pustules on the face
Small pustular rashes on the face can occur for various reasons. Such a rash often occurs due to various diseases, allergic reactions, improper or inadequate skin care, violation of hygiene rules, dietary errors and other disorders. In such cases, small pustules on the face appear suddenly, en masse, often accompanied by a change in the appearance and structure of the surrounding skin.
Prevention
To prevent purulent acne from appearing again, it is important to adhere to the rules of prevention.
- Maintain hygiene. Take a shower at least once a day, wash your face with warm water and a special gel or foam in the morning and evening. Use toner without alcohol.
- It is safer to wipe your face with disposable paper towels, as bacteria accumulate on the linen.
- Wear underwear made from natural fabrics that does not interfere with air exchange.
- Do not squeeze out small pimples and blackheads.
- Try to touch your face with dirty hands less often.
- Select skin care products that do not contain lanolin, silicone, artificial fragrances and other comedogenic components.
- Remove decorative cosmetics before going to bed.
- Eliminate fried, fatty foods, fast food, cow's milk, sugar, chocolate and flour from your diet.
- Eat lean meat, cereals, vegetables and fruits, fermented milk, and drink enough purified water.
Where do small pimples on hands come from? Find out here.
What to do if there are a lot of pimples on your forehead? Read on.
A healthy lifestyle will help restore your skin's beautiful appearance and attractiveness much faster.
- If you additionally exclude the influence of alcohol and smoking, the body will fight off the infection as soon as possible, and the tissues will recover faster.
- A good mood and good sleep have a beneficial effect on the results of treatment for purulent acne.
But when rashes appear constantly, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination, because this may indicate the presence of serious diseases of the internal organs.