To discourage pimples from becoming infected, continue to gently wash your face daily and avoid irritating or popping any blemishes. They may require different treatment than regular pimples or acne. Pimples develop when pores on the skin become clogged with too much oil, dead skin oils, or bacteria. Acne tends to occur most often during puberty when the sebaceous glands typically produce more sebum but can develop at any time.
Potential complications
Facial issues aren’t constrained to pimples or infections related to this condition. There are a range of other problems that can cause facial skin irritation. These issues could include:
- An allergic reaction
- A boil
- Eczema
- Rosacea
If a skin lesion doesn’t start to heal on its own, or it itches or spreads, consult a dermatologist or other medical professional.
Symptoms of infected pimple
Unlike a standard pimple, infected pimples can run deep into the skin and create a bigger, more painful bump. Infected pimples symptoms may include:
- Larger and redder in color due to inflammation
- Take longer to heal than a regular pimple
- May be painful or sensitive to touch
- May be filled with pus
A pimple infected with S.aureous may be a boil. Boils are contagious, and although the infections are usually minor, a person might experience the following symptoms:
- Red, painful lumps, typically on the neck, face, or buttocks
- A high temperature
- Fatigue
- Generally feeling unwell
Treatment
Once a pimple has become infected, it’s not like treating regular acne. For example, salicylic acid can help prevent mild acne and is often recommended as one of the ingredients to use during a breakout. But it’s not going to be as helpful once a pimple is infected because salicylic acid doesn’t kill bacteria.
For infected pimples, it’s important to keep the affected area clean. This can be done with a mild cleanser. It also is helpful to wipe the area with hydrogen peroxide.
If you want to try some treatments at home, one option is to hold a warm compress over the infected pimple. This may help it along in the natural process of draining. Make sure the compress is warm, but not too hot, and is covered in something clean.
There are multiple ways to get rid of infected pimples. They include:
- Spot treatment
- Acne-clearing LED device
- Cold compress
- Warm compress
- Hydrocolloid patch
- Visit a dermatologist
- Prevent infected pimples from future breakouts
Tips for prevention
To discourage pimples from becoming infected, continue to gently wash your face daily and avoid irritating or popping any blemishes. Pay attention to which skin products may make your skin break out. Some people don’t react positively to certain ingredients or add dyes and fragrances to their makeup, cleansers, or shampoos.
When to see a doctor
Infected pimples can often be treated using OTC medication and home remedies, but severe infections may require antibiotics. The infection may take several weeks to disappear. If a person has a pimple that’s unusually large and painful, it could be a boil or skin abscess caused by an infection. If a person suspects this is the cause, they should consult their doctor to find the most appropriate treatment.
