How long does it take for the pustule to go away?
A pus pimple that is not associated with acne vulgaris usually heals within a few days.Healing can be delayed if the pimple has been manipulated, which also promotes scarring. If the pimple is large or severely inflamed, the time to complete healing can take several weeks. In most cases, however, there is no more pain after a few days. Acne usually disappears spontaneously after puberty. In some cases – especially in men – scarred healing occurs.
Diagnosis of the pustule
The diagnosis of pus pimples is made purely visually. For this purpose, the pimple is examined closely. A plug of pus forms at the tip of the pimple.
The spot where the pimple is, is usually raised and reddishly inflamed. If it is acne vulgaris, there are other skin symptoms besides pus pimples. These include the so-called white and black comedones – the blackheads. Red, inflamed papules can also occur. Acne vulgaris mainly appears on the face (forehead, cheeks, chin), on the back and in the décolleté.
Pimples on the neck
If shoulder and neck are affected by pus pimples, possible acne vulgaris should be considered, especially during puberty. Here it comes to a colorful picture of skin symptoms. In addition to the pus pimples, white and black blackheads (comedones) stand out.
The skin around the pimples can be reddishly inflamed. If the pimples appear after puberty, it can also be late acne. However, the possibility that the pimples were caused by drugs such as antibiotics or new skin care products such as creams or shampoos should always be considered.
Pimples on the back
It is not uncommon for back and shoulders to be affected by pimples at the same time. Pimples also develop on the back due to clogged sebaceous glands. Since there are many glands – including sweat glands – on the upper back, the back is a typical place for pimples.
Increased sebum production and additional sweating promotes the closure of the sebaceous glands and thus the development of pimples. In addition, pimples on the back can heal more poorly, since this area almost always comes into contact with clothing, which makes the areas even more irritated and thus delays healing. If, in addition to the back and shoulders, the face and décolleté are also affected, acne, especially in puberty, should always be considered as a cause.
