A blood-filled pimple typically develops because a regular pimple has been picked, squeezed, or popped by a person.
Fortunately, there are several ways to treat acne or other kinds of pimples to keep them from developing into pimples that are blood-filled.
At some point up to 80 percent of 11- to 30-year-olds will experience pimples or acne.
Read more about the various types of pimples in this article and the available treatment options.
Causes
After someone has squeezed or popped a pimple, blood-filled pimples develop.
A yellow liquid called pus is pushed out by squeezing a pimple. The trauma caused by the squeezing may also cause blood vessels to burst underneath, allowing blood to fill the pimple.
When the skin’s pores become clogged with bacteria, sweat, or dirt, regular pimples occur. More serious acne in adolescents and adult women may be due to hormonal changes.
Treatment
Blood-filled pimples can recover on their own much of the time if they are left alone. They can spread bacteria to other parts of the face and body if someone squeezes the pimple until it heals.
The region around the pimple must be kept clean and clean twice daily, using a gentle cleanser or soap and water.
It is likely that blood-filled pimples that recur or persist must be handled with:
Over-the-counter treatments
For various forms of pimples and acne, like blood-filled pimples, there are many over-the-counter treatments:
- Topical retinoids. These vitamin A-based medications reduce oil production in the skin and help prevent clogged pores. Stronger versions are available by prescription.
- Salicylic acid. This ointment removes dead skin cells. It typically works best on acne without inflammation, such as blackheads and whiteheads.
Prescription medications
- Antibiotics. Usually taken daily as a pill, antibiotics kill the bacteria that are causing outbreaks. People can apply topical antibiotic ointments and liquids directly to the skin.
- Birth control pills. In women and teenagers, fluctuating hormone levels can contribute to acne development. Some women and girls may be prescribed birth control pills to regulate hormones and clear up their skin.
- Isotretinoin. This is a prescription oral retinoid that people typically take for approximately 4 to 5 months. It effectively treats acne in many people, sometimes permanently. However, it can cause serious side effects and is usually only given to people with severe cystic acne.
Medical procedures
Less generally, individuals with extreme blood-filled pimples and other types of pimples and acne may be recommended by a doctor for medical procedures. Such procedures include:
- Drainage and extraction. This involves draining fluids and other debris from a cyst to reduce the risk of infection and ease pain and inflammation. A doctor may inject medications into the cyst to speed up the healing process.
- Laser therapy. Focusing laser light on the skin may reduce or eliminate acne-causing bacteria from the skin.
- Microdermabrasion. This treatment involves removing the top layer of skin to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads.
Home remedies
For mild cases of blood-filled pimples, medication or surgical procedures are sometimes not required. Many home remedies, and some speed up recovery, will relieve symptoms.
The following home remedies are used by many individuals to treat blood-filled pimples:
Use facial products sparingly
Sensitive and acne-prone skin can be irritated by many skin items and should be avoided. These include compounds dependent on oil and fragrant materials.
Often look for fragrance-free, appropriate for sensitive skin, and ‘non-comedogenic’ cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens, which means they do not obstruct pores.
Basic hygiene techniques
With lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser or soap, wash the skin twice daily. Ensure that the skin is clean and dry between washings and keep the hair out of the face.
Individuals should also avoid touching the face, maintain clean mobile phones and other objects that come into contact with the face, and sometimes change bedding and towels.
Ice
Put some ice in a clean towel and apply it for up to 15 minutes to the blood-filled pimples.
This procedure helps to decrease pain and swelling. This can be replicated by an individual many times daily.
Zinc ointments
Topical zinc treatments are common home remedies for acne and blood-filled pimples, such as zinc oxide.
When used in conjunction with other therapies, zinc can be particularly beneficial.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil may help treat acne and blood-filled pimples that are mild to moderate.
One research found that 5% tea tree oil was as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, which is an acne medication, in treating acne. Although the oil from the tea tree worked slower than benzoyl peroxide, less adverse reactions were induced.
Types of pimples
There are several distinct forms of pimples that can be identified as either non-inflammatory or inflammatory acne.
Picking or squeezing either of these pimples will lead to pimples that are blood-filled.
Non-inflammatory acne
Usually non-inflammatory acne responds well to home remedies and therapies that are over-the-counter. These include:
- Blackheads. Also known as open comedones, blackheads result from pores clogged with sebum (the skin’s natural oil) and dead skin cells.
- Whiteheads. When the top of a clogged pore closes, the resulting blemishes are known as whiteheads or closed comedones. They are more difficult to treat than blackheads.
Inflammatory acne
Inflammatory acne is indicated by red and inflamed pimples. Such pimples can be classified as:
- Papules. Papules are caused by the breakdown of the pore walls due to inflammation. Symptoms include tenderness and pink skin.
- Pustules. These are similar to papules, but they are filled with pus and tend to have yellow or white heads.
- Nodules. When clogged and irritated pores get larger and occur deep in the skin, they form nodules. These pimples cannot usually be treated with home remedies.
- Cysts. Cysts are clogged pores that occur deeper in the skin than nodules. They appear as red or white lumps and can be quite painful. Cysts are the most severe type of acne and often lead to scarring. Usually, medical intervention is necessary to treat cysts.
Prevention
The following tips can help prevent blood-filled pimples and other forms of acne:
- Never pick or squeeze pimples. This can cause or spread infection and contribute to blood-filled pimples.
- Avoid touching the face throughout the day.
- Keep the face clean and dry.
- Wash the face twice daily to remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and other impurities. Use warm water and mild soap or cleanser.
- Never use harsh scrubs or fabrics on the face, as this can irritate sensitive and inflamed skin.
- Wash bedding, towels, and other items that touch the face regularly.
- Choose gentle face products and makeup. Look for ones that are fragrance-free and noncomedogenic. Throw out expired makeup.
- Keep long hair away from the face. Hair that is greasy or contains oils, fragrances, and other products can irritate the skin and clog pores.
- Eat a healthful diet rich in fruits, vegetables, pulses, and whole grains. Limit consumption of sugar, fatty foods, processed foods, and alcohol. Dairy and other food intolerances may contribute to acne in some people.
- Reduce stress and anxiety by engaging in meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Takeaway
A very common skin disorder is acne. Blood-filled pimples are the product of acne picking and other pimple types. Squeezing pimples repetitively can lead to scarring and should be avoided.
If acne is serious, persistent, or followed by signs of infection, see a doctor, such as:
- fever
- pus
- redness around a pimple
Fortunately, for blood-filled pimples, there are many options available, ranging from home remedies to prescription drugs and surgical procedures.
