After popping a pimple, gently cleanse the area, apply an antibacterial spot treatment like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (or even an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin), and cover it with a hydrocolloid patch to prevent infection, promote healing, and stop you from picking it further, which reduces redness and scarring.
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial to prevent further irritation and infection. Gently cleanse the area with a mild cleanser and pat it dry with a clean towel. Applying an occlusive moisturizer or hydrocolloid over the clean blemish will ensure it stays sterile and contribute to faster healing.
Follow the five steps below to stop any pimple from bleeding — hopefully just in time for that big event.
A simple bland ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline works. But if it's more inflamed or pus comes out, you may want to use an OTC antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection. Pro tip: If you need an emergency spot treatment, you can use some OTC hydrocortisone 1% cream to help reduce inflammation.
Keeping it covered is also a good way to speed up healing and prevent infection. I like using hydrocolloid patches to help heal the skin or silicone sheets. While the area is healing, avoid any harsh products to the skin to prevent further irritation.
That white, hard material you see when popping pimples is primarily pus—a mixture of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and debris. Pus is essentially your body's response to infection or irritation caused by clogged pores.
How To Treat a Popped Pimple in 7 Easy Steps
When a pimple is not properly extracted, the underlying infection may remain, leading to the pimple refilling with pus. It is crucial to refrain from squeezing or popping pimples forcefully, as this can worsen the infection and increase the risk of scarring.
Here are some general guidelines for choosing and using topical nonprescription acne products: Begin with benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. If you're not sure which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or both. Either one is effective and usually well tolerated.
“That clear liquid is just the normal water that's in your tissue. If you see that, you're not getting anything,” says Dr. Howe. “And if you see blood, it's proof that the structure of the follicle is ruptured.” Instead of continuing to squeeze, let the pimple heal on its own, use a hot compress and a spot treatment.
On the other hand, bumps caused by STDs, like herpes sores or genital warts, are often accompanied by pain, itching, or changes in appearance, and they tend to appear near the vulva, vagina, and anus.
When you pop a zit, you create an open wound. Bacteria that naturally live on your skin get inside the opening, causing an infection. The area around the pimple may be very sore, red or inflamed. You may also develop a fever.
Previously Popped Pimple
If you squeezed a whitehead, but it wasn't fully removed, it can become inflamed again. It's also possible for another pimple to appear next to it because the area got irritated and exposed to bacteria.
That's because open wounds (including your squashed blemish) heal faster in moist environments, Dr. Zeichner explains. So once you've cleansed and dried the area, spot treat that erupting face volcano with a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly (a.k.a. petrolatum, the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor).
What Can I Do to Treat a Pimple Emergency?
Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars. Because popping isn't the way to go, patience is the key.
Furthermore, as the body sends white blood cells to fight the infection, pus begins to accumulate within the cyst. Therefore, the combination of dead tissue, bacteria, and active infection results in the characteristic Foul Smelling Fluid often reported.
“But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises. When doing this at home, many people choose to pop pimples with a lancet needle or pin.
Overnight Mask: Using an overnight mask containing acne-fighting ingredients like sulfur, tea tree oil, or clay can help reduce the size and redness of pimples while you sleep. These ingredients work to unclog pores and absorb excess oil, leaving your skin looking clearer by morning.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Why do Blackheads Smell? The smell is caused by the oil produced on the skin. Why do Blackheads return so fast? The skin is constantly producing oil, especially on the face.
Chocolate, white rice and oily/fried food, which is high in fat with a high GL, are dietary risk factors for acne severity. Conversely, regular consumption of vegetables and sugar-free milk-free tea are identified as protective factors.