Many people squeeze or pop pimples to remove pus and try to make the pimple go away faster. But when you squeeze or pop a pimple, you can damage or burst blood vessels in the area. That can make the pimple fill with blood.
Popping and picking at pimples are the two most common causes of bleeding. When a zit pops, it begins releasing pus. If small blood vessels under the skin, called capillaries, burst from the friction too, you'll see blood come out along with the other pimple contents.
Pressing pimples should be done carefully and very gently. And it's a huge mistake if you press so hard that there's blood. Most people mistakenly think that one should press and squeeze a pimple until blood comes out. You do not have to!
Blood-filled pimples are not typical, but they can occur, especially if a pimple has been irritated or squeezed. They indicate that there has been some trauma to the skin and blood vessels.
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.
The other half of the pus gets sucked inside since you're putting pressure when you release. It just stays there. You can't get it out anymore because it's inflamed and irritated. That's why pimples come back on the same spot, sometimes bigger than the one before it.”
In most cases, picking at your pimples is a bad idea. Some dermatologists say it's OK to gently squeeze a blackhead with clean hands or Q-tips. You should never try to pop a cystic or "blind" pimple, since the contents are locked under the skin.
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.
Can I pop a blind pimple? Never try to pop or squeeze a blind pimple. Doing so pushes the oil and bacteria deeper, causing more inflammation and increasing the risk of infection.
Pustules: These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring. Cysts: These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus).
Why Do They Come Back? Typically, patients who have pimples that come back in the same spot over and over again are suffering from an underlying problem with bacteria in the skin. When you have too much bacteria in one area, and you aren't treating it, you won't ever fully get rid of the pimple.
The fluid in blisters may contain serum, plasma, or pus. If there is an infection, it may also include blood.
Popping pimples releases dopamine
After feeling and hearing that “pop”, some people get an immediate sensation of pleasure and relief. That's because dopamine — the happy-hormone — is released when you feel a sense of accomplishment.
It can be very tempting — and satisfying — to squeeze out or pop blackheads. However, squeezing out blackheads can create several problems: You may not remove the entire blackhead. You may even push the blackhead further into your skin, which can cause painful irritation.
It's not just the pus that you're moving, you're also moving the core. The pressure from popping a pimple can cause the wall of the pore to burst. This happens below the skin surface where you can't see it.
Closed comedones (whiteheads) have a core covered by a very thin layer of skin. In contrast, open comedones (blackheads) have a core that's exposed to the air, hence their dark, oxidised appearance.
Acne discharge: Acne pus is made up of dead white blood cells that fight invading bacteria. The drainage, which includes pus mixed with blood, debris, and bacteria, oozes out when acne is punctured. The more the contents in the acne, the more it may smell.
Don't pop or squeeze a blood-filled pimple. That can cause: Infection. More pimples.
What STD can cause boils? Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like genital herpes or genital warts can cause sores or lesions that resemble the beginning of a boil. But you don't typically get vaginal boils from STIs.