Pus – causes, treatment and prevention

From a medical point of view, the pus of the human body consists of several components. The most important components include both the white blood cells and broken down tissues. In addition, a clear liquid is one of the components of pus. It always forms when blood clots.

In terms of its consistency, the pus of the human body can take different forms. Depending on the stage of the inflammation, the pus can be either thin or thick. The underlying bacteria are responsible for the consistency. The bacteria also have a significant influence on the smell of the pus. Only when the pus dries up does the body begin the healing process.

Causes

As already mentioned, the formation of pus is considered a natural defense reaction of the human body. As a result, invading bacteria should be combated as reliably as possible.In modern medicine, the pus of the human body is divided into different types according to its appearance. An encapsulated accumulation of the yellowish liquid is usually referred to as an abscess by leading physicians. If the pus has accumulated in a body cavity, it is called an empyema.

An inflamed hair is usually referred to as a boil. Pubescent boys and girls often have to struggle with the yellowish liquid. As part of the hormonal change, the skin of the human body becomes particularly susceptible to bacteria. The invading bacteria often lead to an inflammatory process in the area of ​​the pores. As a result, pus forms in most cases, which often takes the form of a pimple.

Diseases

Accumulations of pus according to severity and location:

• furuncle (hair follicle)

• empyema (body cavity)

• abscess (body cavity)

• pustules (skin blisters)

• Phlegmon (connective tissue)

• pyoderma (skin)

• Pyothorax (Brustfell)

• Pyopericardium (Herzgewebe)

• Pyarthros (joint)

• Panaritium (hand and foot)

When to the doctor?

Pus is considered a natural reaction of the body. In some cases it is not necessary to consult a doctor. With an inflamed hair root after shaving, pus blisters often develop, which are dealt with without medical care.

If there is a taste of pus in the mouth, it is an inflammatory process that needs to be examined by a doctor. The bacteria and viruses present contribute to the spread of the present disease, so it is necessary to take appropriate countermeasures. The inflammation must be localized by a doctor. It can be in the teeth , jaw, or throat.

In the healing process of wounds on the whole body, pus often appears. If the wounds enlarge, if they do not heal within a few days or if the existing pain increases, you should consult a doctor.

Small blisters of pus can form all over the body for no apparent reason. If they are experienced as disturbing or stressful, a doctor should be consulted. These are often skin imperfections that can be easily removed with sterile tools. In severe cases, the formation of pus increases the risk of blood poisoning. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted if the formation of pus increases or the production of new pus stops.

Diagnosis and course

A particularly large accumulation of pus can favor the occurrence of clinical symptoms. It is not uncommon for affected patients to complain of particularly severe pain. If clinical symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Only he can decide how to proceed. For example, if there is a risk of blood poisoning , evacuation of the areas filled with pus must be tackled.

As part of the diagnosis, different examination methods may be used. For example, the extent of an inflammatory process can be made visible through the use of an imaging method. In addition, the number of leukocytes , among other things, is determined as part of a blood draw . The number of leukocytes allows an initial conclusion to be drawn about the stage of the inflammation. In order to prevent serious complications, progressive formation of pus must be effectively counteracted.

Complications

Pus is part of the body’s natural process of cleaning wounds. They are depleted white blood cells that are important in fighting infections. However, pus usually also contains dead or still living pathogens and is therefore dangerous – if it remains in a wound. The pathogens contained can lead to an existing infection continuing or a new wound infection developing in the first place .

The main risks are suppurating wounds that do not allow the pus to drain away in a healthy way. This happens not only with naturally occurring injuries, but also with surgical wounds. For this reason, an artificial drain is laid in the first few days so that healthy wound healing can be supported.

Pus also accumulates in abscesses, for example, and in many other forms of internal inflammation in the body. There is a risk of a severe poisoning reaction in the body, especially if larger amounts enter the body and the bloodstream when the internal infection bursts open. This leads to complications such as blood poisoning or toxic shock . Of course, the risk increases if such a case is not recognized in time. In most cases, surgery would then be necessary to treat the internal inflammation and remove pus, but this is far less risky if done as early as possible.

Treatment and therapy

The treatment of accumulations of pus is given a particularly high degree of attention in the clinic. In medicine, therefore, the maxim applies: “Ubi pus, ibi evacua” – “Where pus (is), there empty (it)”. As part of the treatment, the pus is first broken open. This is the only way to effectively prevent life-threatening blood poisoning. In addition, the spread of the pathogens in the human body is prevented. In order to achieve the best possible result, it is often essential to insert a drain.

Special flushing-suction drainages are used particularly frequently. The use of antibiotics is only considered in the rarest of cases. Since the active ingredients contained can only very rarely penetrate to the core of the pus, only certain appearances are treated with antibiotics. For example, liver abscesses can be treated particularly effectively with antibiotics.With regard to the treatment of purulent inflammation, tried and tested home remedies are becoming increasingly popular. If the pus appears as a pimple on the skin, for example, it can be effectively treated with honey. The ingredients contained in honey have an antibacterial effect on the pus.

Alternatively, chamomile tea can also be used as part of the treatment. Both home remedies develop their anti-inflammatory effect relatively quickly. So that the pus does not appear in the first place, the aspect of prevention should not be neglected.

Prevention

Usually, pus forms as a result of poor hygiene. For this reason, wounds that have already been disinfected should always be kept clean. This is the only way to reliably combat any invading bacteria. If therapy with an antibiotic has been prescribed, this should be taken over a longer period of time. Even if the symptoms have already subsided, bacteria can still be in the body. Stopping the intake prematurely can lead to a relatively rapid multiplication of the bacteria.