Appearance of Acne
Pustule
Related terms · suppurated acne · pus-filled acne
Pustules are red, painful acne where white or yellow pus is visible in the center of the red elevation.
Overview
Pustules: Check these three things first
- A pustule is a red, raised acne lesion with white or yellow pus visible in the center red and painful acne.
- Not everything with visible pus is acne. If pustules of similar size poresappear in each follicle and are itchy, they must be distinguished from folliculitis.
- Record the appearance before squeezing, as well as any itching or pain; seek medical evaluation if there is rapidly spreading redness or fever.
Meaning and Distinction
What is a pustule?
It refers to a state where pus collects due to inflammation and immune response around the hair follicle. A pustule is a red, painful acne lesion with white or yellow pus visible in the center of the red swelling.
- Easily confused terms
- Not everything with visible pus is acne. If pustules of similar size poresappear in each follicle and are itchy, they must be distinguished from folliculitis.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- The number and distribution of pustules, comedones and whether comedones are present, help in distinguishing between acne and folliculitis and checking for infection.
- Information to prepare for your visit
- Record the appearance before squeezing, as well as any itching or pain; seek medical evaluation if there is rapidly spreading redness or fever.
More details
Connecting pustules to my symptoms
Even if white pus is visible, please take a photo before squeezing it with your hands
Forcing a pustule to pop can deepen the inflammation and leave red marks for a longer period. First, record the size of the central pus, the surrounding redness, and the speed at which pain increases.
Rapidly spreading redness and heat should not be waited out as simple acne
Unlike one or two pustules, if the surrounding area swells rapidly, feels hot, or if you have a fever, you must immediately check for infection. If similar shapes spread with itching, it is also necessary to distinguish it from folliculitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions when looking up pustules
Is a diagnosis determined by the term 'pustule' alone?
Not everything with visible pus is acne. If pustules of similar size appear in each hair follicle and are itchy, they must be distinguished from folliculitis.
What should I write down before my medical evaluation regarding pustules?
The number and distribution of pustules, and whether comedones are present, help in distinguishing between acne and folliculitis and checking for infection. Record the appearance before squeezing, as well as any itching or pain; seek medical evaluation if there is rapidly spreading redness or fever.
Acne Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideInflammatory acneInflammatory acne occurs when inflammation develops inside a clogged pore, appearing as red papules or pustules; if it deepens, firm and painful nodules or cysts may form. Rather than just counting the number of acne lesions, we look at the ratio of comedones to inflammation, the number of deep and painful acne lesions, and the inflammation and scarring risk that developed over a week.→
- Condition GuideFolliculitis that looks like acneIn folliculitis, red papules and pustules of similar size may appear simultaneously around the hair follicles, and itching can be prominent. In contrast, acne often involves a mix of skin changes of varying sizes and depths, such as comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Since bacterial folliculitis and Malassezia folliculitis require different treatments, they are difficult to distinguish from a single photo.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideWhat should I check first when acne suddenly increases?Do not view a sudden increase in acne as all being the same type; categorize them into closed comedones, red pimples, pus-filled acne, and deep, painful nodules. Also note the date you started new medications or cosmetics, and changes in menstruation, sleep, or stress. If deep nodules increase rapidly or if the face swells and develops a fever, you must seek medical evaluation rather than just recording symptoms and waiting.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideChest and back acne vs. folliculitis: distinguished by comedones and itching→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment descriptions.