When a pimple pops under the skin (a blind pimple), squeezing it often forces oil, bacteria, and dead skin deeper, rupturing the follicle wall, causing more inflammation, pain, and a higher risk of deep infection (nodules or cysts), scarring, and long-lasting dark spots (hyperpigmentation) instead of healing cleanly. It's best to use warm compresses and topical treatments like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to encourage natural healing, avoiding picking to prevent serious complications, notes Water's Edge Dermatology and Healthline.
“If you popped it, you want to clean the area with mild soap and water and leave the area alone,” advises June. “If you didn't pop it and you're having a lot of pain or swelling, try using a warm compress and try not to cause further irritation.”
But they can cause infection if they get under your skin. When you pop, squeeze or pick at a zit, you create a break in your skin. This opening allows bacteria to get inside, leading to infection.
“A blind pimple may start as a small bump that you can feel under the skin, and it might even be tender to touch. Redness and swelling develop around the pimple, and it may eventually come to a head and erupt or drain,” explains Dr. Camp. “Other times, it flattens without draining.” Adds Dr.
Apply a warm, damp washcloth to try to bring a pimple to a head. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily. This will help the deep pimple move closer to your skin's surface so it can heal.
Nodular acne pimples appear as red bumps on the surface of your skin, with a firm lump deeper beneath the skin. Nodular acne is a type of inflammatory acne that occurs when hair follicles in your skin are blocked by excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells and bacteria.
Apply a warm compress
Applying a warm compress can help treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help relieve pain.
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.
A gentle yet effective skincare routine can improve all stages of nodular acne. Treating blind pimples requires patience and care. Apply a warm compress to the area: Soak a clean cloth in warm water, then press it gently to the nodule for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat three or four times a day to help the bump resolve.
If a spot feels tender without an obvious cause, it warrants a check. Bleeding or crusting: A bump or mole that crusts or bleeds repeatedly could signal basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Sores that won't heal: Lesions that linger or reopen after healing may indicate basal cell carcinoma.
Pimples refill after popping because you often don't remove all the pus and debris, pushing some deeper, while the inflammation continues, and the pore wall itself can be damaged, allowing oil (sebum) and dead cells to collect again, leading to recurrence in the same spot. Popping also creates an opening for bacteria, causing more inflammation and new pimples nearby.
When you use your fingers, you risk pushing the infection deeper, leading to more inflammation, scarring, and even rupturing beneath the skin. Dermatologists use specialized tools because they apply even pressure, making extractions safer and more effective. If you do use a tool, be gentle!
Popping pimples in the triangle of death on your face can be dangerous. It increases the risk of a severe infection that may reach your brain or bloodstream. Popping pimples generally worsens acne, so avoid touching your face and consult a dermatologist.
Blind pimples are deeper under the skin than other types of pimples, so they won't usually form a visible blackhead, whitehead or bump. They aren't always visibly noticeable, but you can usually feel a lump and the area may cause discomfort.
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.
No—trying to pop a blind pimple can push bacteria deeper into the skin, worsen inflammation, and increase your risk of scarring. Instead, use spot treatments, warm compresses, and products designed to reduce inflammation and draw out impurities.
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.
Blind pimples usually go away in about a week or two with the proper treatments. But they can linger under your skin for a few months, causing pain and irritation. In severe cases, the oil and dead skin cells can block the pores deep under your skin, which traps bacteria and causes an infection.
Symptoms typically appear 6–8 months after HPV exposure, starting as small red pimples. Over time, they form cauliflower-like clusters. If untreated, genital warts can cause infections and lead to cervical cancer. The most effective prevention method is HPV vaccination.
Carbohydrates like sugar and fats are quickly absorbed by the bloodstream, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels and an overproduction of sebum, resulting in oily pores. Too many animal-based foods like meat and dairy might boost our bodies' hormone production, also stimulating our skin's oil glands.
Apply Ice to the Pimple:
Wrap some ice in a cloth and press it against the inflamed area for 3 to 4 minutes at a time. If the ice melts too quickly, throw a few cubes in a plastic sandwich bag before wrapping in cloth. Repeat several times throughout the day to soothe the skin and reduce swelling.
Pimples often resolve within a relatively short time, while skin cancer signs tend to linger and may worsen. If a mole or skin spot bleeds, oozes, itches, or hurts, see a doctor to get it checked. These symptoms can be indicative of skin cancer, especially melanoma, and should not be ignored.
Foods that cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, such as white bread and fries, may worsen acne.