Triggers and Treatment

An acnepustuleis a key in ofpimple.

They may also be calledwhiteheads, blemishes, and zits.

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Acne Pustule Symptoms

Acne pustules appear different from othertypes of acne blemishes.

How to Treat Acne Pustules

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Pustules tend to occur near oil glands, especially around the face, back, chest, and shoulders.

They can vary in size from very small to quite large.

Pustules are sometimes tender to the touch, unlike noninflamed acne lesions, such asblackheadsandmilia.

It becomes a red, swollen skin blemish called apapule.

White blood cells gather on the papule to fight against infection as the pore breaks down.

These cells form the pus you see inside the blemish.

The bacteria associated with acne isPropionibacterium acnes.

Acne also has a genetic component, meaning that family history can play a role.

Acne pustules can occur at any age.

However, in addition to acne, other skin conditions can cause pustules.

These includepsoriasis,chickenpox, and eveninsect bites.

A pustule that’s exceptionally large may be aboil.

How Are Acne Pustules Treated?

Acne pustules typically heal on their own if left alone.

Other options include cleansers and body washes.

It must be used with caution because it causes severe birth defects if used by a pregnant person.

This can drastically reduce the amount of oil within the pores to shrink pimples.

These include tea tree oil, bovine cartilage, zinc, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.

Hands Off

Although it’s tempting,popping pimplescan lead to scarring and infection.

It can also prolong the amount of time it takes for a blemish to clear up.

They differ from other pustules, which might be due to a virus, infection, or insect bite.

2019;7(5):128. doi:10.3390%2Fmicroorganisms7050128

American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: who gets and causes.

Oge LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD.Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.

2019;100(8):475-484.

National Institutes of Health.Acne breakouts: controlling problem pimples.

J Am Acad Dermatol.

2016;74(5):945-73.e33.