Cause: Acne lesions are filled with dead white blood cells that feed the bacterial infestation. Because most of these bacteria are anaerobic, they produce their own sulfur compounds as they grow. These sulfur-containing compounds can cause a pungent smell of garlic or onions when you pop the acne.
The comedones often occur in groups of three, and the cysts often contain purulent, foul-smelling material that is discharged on the skin surface. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that inevitably leads to scar formation and disfigurement.
If your pimple stinks, it may be an uncommon and severe form of nodulocystic acne called acne conglobata, in which large cysts form beneath the skin. The nodules usually occur in groups of two or three and connect under the skin. The interconnecting abscesses often contain foul-smelling pus and serum.
A cyst typically has two features: the lining, and the contents. The lining of an epidermoid cyst is made up of skin cells, which secrete keratin. Keratin is the material that makes up the hair, and the outer layer of skin. The contents of an epidermoid cyst are soft and “cheese-like,” with an unpleasant smell.
You can tell if acne is hormonal or bacteria by its severity if flare-ups occur during hormonal imbalances, and whether topical treatments resolve the issues, or if systemic medications are needed.
What is an abscess? An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and germs (bacteria). The pus may be yellow or green and may have a bad smell.
If bacteria living on the skin also become stuck in the follicle, this can cause inflammation and infection. White blood cells flow in to fight infection, and, as a result, dead white blood cells, bacteria, and other debris form pockets of pus.
How do I know if I have fungal acne? The most common symptom that you'll notice is itchiness of the bumps. Fungal acne is itchy but never painful, as typical acne can be when a blemish becomes inflamed. Fungal acne can be persistent, worsen with sweating, and flare in hot and humid temperatures.
The sebaceous glands are tiny glands in the skin which produce an oily/waxy substance, called sebum, to moisturise the skin and hair. These glands are found in greatest amounts on the face and scalp. Sebum has no smell, but its bacterial breakdown can produce a bad smell.
Cause: Acne lesions are filled with dead white blood cells that feed the bacterial infestation. Because most of these bacteria are anaerobic, they produce their own sulfur compounds as they grow. These sulfur-containing compounds can cause a pungent smell of garlic or onions when you pop the acne.
It comes from the cells that form the walls of the cysts. Those cells secrete a protein, known as keratin. These cysts are also made of fat, and it's often that substance, or infection, that makes the smell, according to American Family Physician.
In addition to interfering with walking, balance and coordination, Parkinson's causes increased secretion of sebum, which is produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. It's an oily, waxy substance with an odor that can be detected by people with a hyper-sensitive sense of smell -- a nurse in Scotland is among them.
Bacterial acne breakouts tend to be on the face, chest, arms, or other parts of the body. They often vary in size and feature whiteheads or blackheads. Fungal acne is much more uniform. These small, often red bumps form on the chest, back, and upper arms but almost never on the face.
"Skin infections can present with a putrid odor from the byproducts of bacterial growth. Gangrene, which is dying tissue, has one of the most offensive odors and smells like rotting meat."
They may take a swab of the infected skin to test for which bacteria or fungus is the cause of the folliculitis. In rare cases, a doctor may order a skin biopsy to exclude the possibility of other causes.
Most fungal acne will respond well to ketoconazole 2% which is a broad spectrum anti-fungal agent which can be applied topically and is used as a first line defense for fungal acne. For more severe conditions an oral anti-fungal of itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine may be introduced short term.
Fungal acne is often treated with either topical or oral antifungal medications. Two of the most effective oral antifungal medications are Fluconazole and Itraconazole. Topical options include creams and shampoos.
Basically, what happens if you don't pop a whitehead is that it goes away on its own, usually in 3 to 7 days.
You can cause a blood-filled pimple by damaging blood vessels around an existing pimple. This often happens when you pop, squeeze, pick or over-exfoliate a pimple. Blood-filled pimples usually heal on their own if you prevent further damage and keep the area clean.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. 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.
Fast facts about pus
Pus is a natural result of the body fighting infection. Pus can be yellow, green, or brown, and may in some cases have a foul odor. If pus appears after surgery, contact a doctor immediately. Smaller buildups of pus can be self-managed at home.
But infected wounds often have a distinct odor along with other symptoms. Some bacteria can smell sickly sweet, while others can be quite strong, putrid, or ammonia-like. If you notice a strong or foul odor, especially with pus, drainage, or warmth present, alert your doctor as soon as possible.