What to do if a pimple won't come out?

Author: Stacey Jakubowski  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Apply a warm compress Applying a warm compress can help treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help relieve pain.

How do you treat a pimple that won't pop?

Apply warm compresses: Place a warm, wet washcloth over the area and hold it there for about 10 minutes, several times a day. Make sure the washcloth isn't too hot. The warmth encourages pus to dissolve or come to the surface.

How do you draw out a deep pimple?

Apply a warm, damp washcloth to try to bring a pimple to a head. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily. This will help the deep pimple move closer to your skin's surface so it can heal.

What if a pimple feels hard and it won't come out?

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. Most types of pimples form when dead skin cells, oils, or bacteria block a pore.

How do you fix a clogged pimple?

Apply a Paste of Crushed Aspirin to the Pimple

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is super effective at removing excess oil and dead skin. Crush one or two aspirin tablets and mix with several drops of water to form a paste. Then dab the paste directly onto the pimple.

How I Cleared My Acne

How do you get rid of a stuck pimple?

Apply a warm compress

Applying a warm compress can help treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help relieve pain.

Can ice remove pimples?

The answer is isn't all that simple. Ice doesn't necessarily help clear up acne or pimples — particularly if you're suffering from cystic and nodular acne — but it can help inflammation. This works because acne is an inflammatory condition meaning that it causes flare-ups that contribute to swelling and redness.

How to remove a hardened pimple?

How can you treat your acne bumps and hard pimples?
  1. Benzoyl peroxide cream — Kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and unclogs pores.
  2. Salicylic acid cream — Removes dead skin cells to prevent further pore blockages.
  3. Tretinoin cream — Prevents pores from becoming blocked.

Where does the pus go if you don't pop a pimple?

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.

How to shrink a pimple in minutes?

Gently washing the skin and patting dry with a clean towel. Wrapping ice cubes in a cloth and applying to the pimple for 5–10 minutes. Taking a break for 10 minutes, and then applying ice again for another 5–10 minutes. Applying a spot treatment that contains at least 2% benzoyl peroxide.

Does putting toothpaste on a pimple help?

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!

What to do if I popped a pimple in the Triangle of Death?

Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Why won't my pimple come to a head?

Blind pimples (also known as cystic pimples or cystic acne) are pimples that are so deep beneath the surface of your skin that they don't have a whitehead or blackhead. The exact cause of blind pimples varies based on multiple factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, medications, stress and even sweat.

What is a pimple with a hard white ball inside?

Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.

Does ice help blind pimples?

Most of the time when you discover an invisible pimple, it will still be small. Take this opportunity to ice it by holding a clean cold pack to the area for three rounds of five minutes on, ten minutes off. The cold will help to reduce inflammation and swelling.

How to tell if it's a wart or a zit?

If it's a fleshy bump, it can look like a wart; if it has a raised, rough texture and varied colors (from brown to black), it can be mistaken for skin cancer. If it's small, reddened and round, it can look like a pimple.

What to put on a popped pimple overnight?

So once you've cleansed and dried the area, spot treat that erupting face volcano with a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly (a.k.a. petrolatum, the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor). According to Dr. Zeichner, this will lock in moisture and help your skin repair itself.

What happens if pus doesn't come out?

When bacteria get into a cut, the body's immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. It's these white blood cells that can collect and make pus. If pus collects and can't drain out, the area forms a painful abscess.

What looks like a pimple but is not?

A syringoma is a firm bump that resembles a pimple (papule) on your skin that usually forms in small clusters or groups on your skin, most often on your face. Syringomas are the result of your overgrowth of your sweat glands. These bumps are harmless to your body.

What to do if you accidentally pop a pimple and it bleeds?

Using a cloth or tissue, keep pressure on the blemish. After one to two minutes, the bleeding should stop. Try not to touch the open wound with your bare fingers. Body oils and dirt might make matters worse and prevent the pimple from going away as quickly as it should.

How to draw out a pimple overnight?

Experts say it is not usually possible to get rid of a pimple overnight. However, some topical products, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and hydrocortisone 1% cream, can help prevent pimples from worsening while promoting healing.

Can toothpaste remove pimples?

Toothpaste is not an effective treatment for pimples. If pimples are a regular problem for you, consider an acne treatment regimen. Over-the-counter acne products and prescription acne medications help to prevent pimples and heal existing ones. Using these treatments consistently can help keep your skin clear.

Can salt remove pimples?

Salt kills bacteria by drying it out, and it can be harsh on your skin's moisture barrier. For this reason, people with combination or dry skin may find salt water does more harm than good, and even those with an oily skin type should use salt water to treat acne only in moderation.

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