What Is a Pustule? Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

What Is a Pustule?

A pustule is a small bump on the surface of the skin that is filled with pus. It usually looks like a white or yellowish center surrounded by a ring of red, inflamed skin.

People often lump pustules together with ordinary pimples, but pustules tend to be larger. They are especially common in teenagers and young adults, when hormonal changes make breakouts more likely.

Where Do Pustules Appear?

Pustules can form on many parts of the body, most often the face, neck, chest, and back. They sometimes appear in clusters rather than one at a time.

If you notice these bumps on your skin and are not sure what they are, one of our dermatologists can examine the area, explain what is going on, and recommend treatment to keep it from getting worse.

What Causes Pustules?

Pustules are a sign of inflammation, and they can be triggered by other skin conditions, infections, or environmental irritants. Common causes include the following.

Acne

Pustules are one of the most familiar types of acne blemish, which is why you may hear the term pustular acne. Acne develops when pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. The blockage leads to inflammation, and that inflammation can produce pus-filled bumps.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is known for red patches covered with silvery scale. Flare-ups can be set off by stress, injury to the skin, or certain medications, and in some cases pustules develop alongside the red patches during a flare.

Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that causes redness across the face. Some people with rosacea also develop pimple-like bumps, including pustules.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral illness seen most often in children. As the infection runs its course, the spots it causes can turn into pustules.

IgA Pemphigus

IgA pemphigus is a rare condition involving the immune system. Pustules can be one of its early warning signs, which is one reason unexplained or widespread pustules deserve a professional look.

Pustule Symptoms

Pustules and pimples can look alike, but a few visible features help tell a pustule apart. Pustules typically:

• Look red and inflamed around the edges
• Have a white head filled with white or yellow pus
• Release pus if the surface breaks
• Sometimes show a small brownish dot in the center of the white head
• Appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back
• Feel tender when touched
• Are larger than a typical pimple

Most pustules are not dangerous. It is time to see a dermatologist, though, if your pustules are persistent, painful, or widespread, if you have a fever, or if the bumps come with any of these signs:

• Pain or discomfort
• Spreading redness
• Swelling
• Warmth in the surrounding skin

How to Prevent Pustules

Keeping breakout-prone skin clean is the most practical way to prevent pustules. The face, chest, and back are the areas most likely to develop acne, so wash them gently with a mild soap twice a day.

It also helps to steer clear of oily skin products, since heavy oils can clog pores and set the stage for new breakouts.

Caring for Pustules at Home

Mild pustules can often be managed with simple daily habits:

• Wash gently. Clean the affected area with a mild soap twice a day.
• Use an over-the-counter topical. A benzoyl peroxide gel applied after washing can help with acne-related pustules.
• Go easy on makeup. Skip cosmetics that contain harsh ingredients that could irritate your skin.
• Leave them alone. Touching, picking, or popping pustules can lead to infection and scarring.

Some people also try natural products such as clay masks to absorb excess oil or aloe vera gel to calm inflammation. Be cautious with remedies you find online. Many promise quick results without evidence, and some can irritate the skin or make things worse. If you are unsure what is safe for your skin, ask a dermatologist before trying something new.

Medical Treatment for Pustules

Many pustules clear on their own. When they keep coming back, are uncomfortable, or bother you because of how they look, a dermatologist can recommend treatment to help them heal faster.

Topical Treatments

Creams and gels can be used as spot treatments, along with gentle cleansers and body washes to keep the skin clean. Helpful ingredients include salicylic acid, which exfoliates, retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, and benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria on the surface of the skin.

Oral Medications

For more stubborn acne, prescription oral medications such as isotretinoin can be very effective. Isotretinoin must only be taken under a physician's close supervision because it can cause serious birth defects.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy pairs a light-activated solution with a light treatment. The goal is to shrink the oil glands so less oil collects in the pores.

Natural and Alternative Options

Products such as tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera are sometimes used to soothe, moisturize, and clean the skin. Research supporting them is limited, however, and some natural oils can irritate sensitive skin, so talk with your dermatologist before adding them to your routine.

Getting Treatment for Pustules

Pustules are common and often go away over time, but you do not have to simply wait them out. Our dermatologists at Team Dermatology can diagnose what is causing your pustules and recommend the treatment that fits your skin.

Related reading

• Acne treatment at Team Dermatology
• Rosacea treatment at Team Dermatology
• Why You Keep Getting Pimples in the Same Spot
• Should You Get Acne Extraction Treatment? 6 Things to Know
• Skincare Mistakes That Could Be Making Acne Worse

If pustules are lingering, spreading, or causing you discomfort, request an appointment with one of our dermatologists at our Houston-area clinics. We will take a close look at your skin and build a plan to help it heal.