Most abscesses need to be drained. But, in some cases, you can treat them with antibiotics. This can also help an abscess drain on its own. Sometimes this basic treatment is enough for an abscess to resolve.
When bacteria get into a cut, the body's immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. It's these white blood cells that can collect and make pus. If pus collects and can't drain out, the area forms a painful abscess.
A small skin abscess may drain naturally, or simply shrink, dry up and disappear without any treatment. However, larger abscesses may need to be treated with antibiotics to clear the infection, and the pus may need to be drained.
Know when to get serious about pus
An untreated infected wound can lead to a more serious infection. The infection can spread to your bloodstream and deeper tissue. A slow-healing open wound increases your risk for other types of infections.
The wound may become swollen and tender and secrete fluid. This is your body's method of cleaning the area by flushing out impurities. The liquid may be pinkish or reddish, which is an indication that blood, nutrients and oxygen are getting to the wound. This stage usually lasts about 2-5 days or so.
Any access drainage should stop within a couple of days. Pain from the wound will gradually go away. The abscess should heal completely within two weeks.
Most abscesses need to be drained. But, in some cases, you can treat them with antibiotics. This can also help an abscess drain on its own. Sometimes this basic treatment is enough for an abscess to resolve.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests soaking a washcloth in warm water and applying it to the area for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. This will help break down the pus from within.
Place warm compresses on the pimple: Gently place a clean, warm, wet washcloth on the area for about 10 minutes, several times a day. But make sure the washcloth isn't too hot. The warm washcloth helps pus dissolve or rise to the surface. Use topical treatments: Benzoyl peroxide products kill bacteria.
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.
With pustules, your body may be able to slowly absorb and break down the pus without treatment. The pustule may also drain naturally, eventually shrinking and drying up.
Treatment generally entails keeping the area clean, and applying warm compresses to encourage pus to drain from the core. A person should never try to squeeze or burst a boil, as this can cause the infection to spread to other areas of the body.
Salt water rinse.
A salt water rinse can help wash away germs and pus from an abscess. Salt water can also soothe discomfort.
After the initial discharge of a bit of pus and blood, your wound should be clear. If the discharge continues through the wound healing process and begins to smell bad or have discoloration, it's probably a sign of infection.
Infections in a wound can all but halt the healing process. The body fights the infection, instead of healing the wound. If a wound gets infected, you may notice redness, swelling and pain around the site, as well as puss or foul-smelling fluid.
It may have a foul odor but that is not always the case. It may have no scent at all. But pus is a natural part of the healing process for wounds. Pus is a sign that a wound is infected but it is also a sign that your body is trying to fight the infection and heal the injury.
rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 to 10 minutes. soak a gauze pad or cloth in saline solution or tap water, or use an alcohol-free wipe, and gently dab or wipe the skin with it – don't use antiseptic as this may damage the skin.
Debride the wound by removing dead or infected tissue in the wound. Rinse the wound with salt water (saline solution) Drain the pocket of pus (abscess), if present. Pack the wound with saline-soaked dressings and cover it with a bandage.
Some small skin abscesses may drain naturally and get better without the need for treatment. Applying heat in the form of a warm compress, such as a warm flannel, may help reduce any swelling and speed up healing.
Pus is the result of the body's natural immune system automatically responding to an infection, usually caused by bacteria or fungi. Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are produced in the marrow of bones. They attack the organisms that cause infection.
Color: Wound drainage that is part of the healing process is usually clear or has a pale hue. Slightly colored drainage or discharge that changes color may be a sign of an infection.