Pus formation – expert tips for home treatment

Dr Pradip Shah explains dos and don'ts to treat pus at home!

A pus is mainly caused due to a bacterial infection of the skin due to boils, hair root infection or injury. Although rare, pus formation could also indicate a serious bacterial infection that might require surgery. If pus has formed on the skin surface, it is usually treated with the help of warm compresses and antibiotics. But most people end up bursting the pus-filled boil, which can further spread the infection to the surrounding areas and hamper the treatment. Our expert Dr Pradip Shah, Consultant Physician at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai tells you what to should do if you have pus formation and prevent infection.

How to treat pus?

If a pus bursts on its own, then clear it with cotton. Also, press it from all the sides so to make sure that the boil is clear of pus. Apply antibiotic ointment or clean after cleaning the area with sterile water.

If the pus is intact, then you can apply a warm compress to drain the pus from the infection. Once it is drained, you can use an antibacterial soap and apply a topical antibiotic cream to prevent an infection.

Do not use alcohol to clean the area as it might lead to pain and irritation. It is wise to use a mild diluted disinfectant or non-irritation bactericidal to clean the area instead of alcohol.

Turmeric might provide relief only for some time and not treat the infection completely. Although turmeric has disinfectant and antibacterial properties, there are high chances that it might be contaminated which can further hamper the healing process. Read more on home remedies for treating skin boils.

If the boil or pus doesn t completely drain or fails to clear up even after 10 days, consult a doctor. Also, if you experience fever, fatigue or redness of the skin along with pus or boils, then you must get medical attention.

Cuts and wounds if not treated properly can lead to pus formation. Follow these expert tips on how to treat wounds (cut or scrape) at home.

Read this in Hindi.

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