Pustules appear on the skin as a result of skin infection or reaction to certain exposures. This article provides more information about the reasons they show up, and also various ways to get rid of them.
When you complain about pimples on your face, you are referring to pustules. These are middle-sized bumps and a moderate form of acne. They are usually white or yellow-colored in the center and inflamed on the sides. There are various reasons for their appearance, which may vary from a bacterial infection, to a sunburn, or side effect of a medication. Bacteria are omnipresent; they are present on your skin and inside your body as well. However, there are certain bacteria that are not the common flora of human skin and when they come in contact with human skin they cause inflammatory reactions. This inflammation leads to reddening of the skin and formation of pustules. Apart from this there are various other reasons for a skin rash or pustular formation which are discussed below.
What is a Pustule?
It is an elevation or a bump on the skin that contains pus. Its base is usually red and it may or may not be itchy. They occur as a result of an inflammatory response of the body. The pus consists of white blood cells that are secreted to fight an infection. Pustules or pus formation usually occurs in sweat glands or hair follicles.
Causes
The most common reason is for their occurrence is rosacea. In this condition, there is development of small pustules along with redness and itching, which can worsen if left untreated. These commonly develop on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Sometimes, these are caused due to an autoimmune condition known as ‘pustular psoriasis‘. It is an unusual and rare form of psoriasis where there are white pustular formations on skin surface in the initial phase, and then symptoms of regular psoriasis develop. The symptoms may be acute, subacute, or chronic.
There are various other reasons for the formation of pustules, such as sebaceous cysts, acne, folliculitis, and thrush. Follicultitis occurs due to irritation caused during shaving, or wearing tight outfits which rub against the skin. Pus formations occurs around the follicles of hair on any part of the body that is irritated due to the aforementioned reasons.
Thrush, also known as oral thrush, is a fungal infection that causes pustular development on the skin. It generally infects the mouth, leading to white pustules in the mouth. There are various anti-fungal ointments available that are effective in the treatment of this infection.
Staph infections, caused due to the bacteria staphylococci also lead to the formation of these pus filled inflammations. However, this bacteria causes serious respiratory illnesses, and weakens the immune system to a great extent. A course of antibiotics is generally prescribed for these infections.
Prevention
Just remember that hygiene is the key. Unless it’s an autoimmune disease, it is very easy to prevent the occurrence of these inflammations. These commonly develop on the face, and therefore it is important to wash your face regularly to prevent infections. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap every few hours. Use a sunscreen lotion to prevent sunburn and wear loose clothing.
Treatment
In case you are experiencing the symptoms of this condition, visit a dermatologist as he will be in a better position to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment. Generally prescribed medications are topical ointments, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide which fights bacterial infections, and facial cleansers with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid gets rid of the excess sebum, which may reduce the occurrence of these pimples.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
