Pus is a mix of bacteria and the white blood cells our bodies use to fight infection. It is most often seen in skin infections like pimples, abscesses and surgical incisions.
Most minor wounds heal well if:
- Cleaned with soap and water.
- Kept clean and dry.
- Antibiotic ointment is used.
An incision or wound that’s healing well looks slightly red initially and may seep clear fluid.
“If you start to notice your wound isn’t healing the best or starting to leak fluid, you may need to contact your primary care provider right away,” said Leah Meidl, nurse practitioner with Marshfield Clinic Health System.
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What color pus is bad?
The color of pus can indicate the type of infection it’s caused by. If you notice signs of an infection in a wound, you should contact your primary care provider immediately. Treatment can reduce your risk of serious infection.
- Green pus can be a sign of a bacterial infection and often has a bad smell.
- Red or pink pus typically means blood has seeped into the infected area.
- Yellow pus can be a sign of a bacterial infection like strep or staph.
- Brown pus is a sign of liver infection.
- White pus shows that the infection is progressing. This is a good color for pus.
Know when to get serious about pus
An untreated infected wound can lead to a more serious infection. The infection can spread to your bloodstream and deeper tissue. A slow-healing open wound increases your risk for other types of infections.
A wound is more likely to become infected in people with weakened immune systems, diabetes or other chronic medical conditions like kidney, heart and lung disease because their immune systems aren’t strong enough to fight infections.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have a cut, surgical wound, skin bump or boil that’s warm to the touch or red.
“It is best to have your wound evaluated in person if there is any new redness, drainage, or warmth,” Meidl said.
Your provider may drain the area, clean the infected area using sterile tools and prescribe antibiotics.
To help ensure they are prescribing the right antibiotics, your doctor may sample (or ‘culture’) the pus, Meidl said. Large wounds or abscesses may need to be cleaned and drained by a surgeon.
For questions about pus, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
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