How to get rid of a hard pimple. Hard pimples, which may involve a hard lump under the skin, can be painful, long lasting, and difficult to get rid of. However, warm compresses, ice packs, over-the-counter creams, or cleansers may help remove them.
A severe type of acne called nodular acne can cause multiple blind pimples along with raised red bumps. These painful blind pimples, or nodules, contain pus and bacteria and feel hard under the skin.
Warm compresses can help bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit the skin's surface. Using ice can help relieve inflammation. Other treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, may help manage acne and prevent pimples from forming.
Causes of a hard pimple
Excess oil on the skin: When the body produces lots of sebum, or facial oil, dead skin cells can stick together and block up the pores. This increases the chances of developing a hard pimple.
Some home remedies include: Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can prevent or stop the growth of bacteria. Apply a small amount of tea tree oil to a cotton applicator and rub it on your pimples. Sugar or salt scrubs: Sugar and salt scrubs scratch away (exfoliate) dead cells on the surface of your skin.
Pores in the skin can clog with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing pimples. Bacteria can enter the skin pores and get trapped along with the oil and skin cells. The skin reaction causes swelling deep in the skin's middle layer (the dermis). This infected, red, swollen lump is an acne cyst.
Besides being unlikely to work, toothpaste will probably burn and irritate your skin—especially your face. Some people develop a chemical burn or a rash called contact dermatitis after applying toothpaste on a pimple. This can make your skin feel sore and your pimple look worse.
Nodular acne is a type of inflammatory acne. It causes firm, painful lumps to form under your skin and red bumps to appear on your skin's surface. Nodular acne requires treatment from a healthcare provider. You can't treat this type of acne yourself. Untreated, it can lead to severe scars.
Nodular acne generally appears as hard, painful acne lesions deep under the skin. It often affects the face, chest, or back. Unlike regular pimples that often heal within a few days, acne nodules may last for weeks or months.
People cannot remove pimples overnight, but home care can lessen swelling and may improve the appearance of pimples. Keeping the area clean, using ice, and hot compresses can help. For persistent or recurring pimples, people may wish to try acne treatments.
If you've already popped a pimple, don't try to squeeze any more out of it. To help it heal, wash it with a gentle cleanser, and try using a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. To help reduce any swelling, you might try using a cold compress with a cloth wrapped around an ice pack.
Squeezing or picking a wart will not only fail to get rid of it but may spread it to nearby areas. Dermatologists have several effective treatments for warts, including cryotherapy, lasers, and prescription strength topical salicylic acid preparations.
Both boils and pimples appear as red bumps on the skin but boil usually gets larger and has drainage of pus, fever, and pain. Pimples are typically smaller and localized. Treatment for boils includes warm compresses, surgical drainage by a physician, and antibiotics.
If you have a pimple, using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a pimple patch can help it go away faster. Your dermatologist can give you a cortisone injection to make a deep, painful, inflamed pimple heal quickly. Avoid picking or trying to pop your pimple — this can lead to more inflammation, redness, and scarring.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
According to our dermatology providers, using toothpaste as an acne spot treatment can cause dryness and irritation and might even worsen breakouts. So, if you're wondering, “how long should I leave toothpaste on my pimple?”—don't!
Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old.
Cold Compress
If your acne nodule is swollen or painful, try applying ice to reduce the inflammation. 10 You could use an ice roller on your face or wrap ice in a thin cloth and apply for no more than 10 minutes at a time.