{"id":50991,"date":"2022-04-28T10:00:58","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T14:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=50991"},"modified":"2022-04-25T17:00:24","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T21:00:24","slug":"what-is-pus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-pus\/","title":{"rendered":"What is pus?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s never a good thing when you see pus oozing out of some part of your body. In medical terms, the drainage from a wound or infected area of the body is sometimes called purulent exudate or liquor puris. But most of us know the goopy fluid that comes from an abscess, a pustule, a carbuncle, a wound, or even a surgical incision simply as pus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is pus?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When your immune system detects an invader, like a harmful form of bacteria, it activates an immune response of white blood cells called leukocytes to defend your body. The result is often pus. What is pus made of? White blood cells, along with some of the dead bacteria they were battling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pus is often a pale color, whitish-yellow, but it can be pink, red, brown or even take on a green tinge. You might get a whiff of a foul-smelling odor, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes pus?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s gross, yes. But pus exists for a reason. Your body produces pus when it\u2019s fighting an infection. Infections can occur when microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi enter a cut, incision, or puncture. Or, they can occur if you inhale infected respiratory droplets from another person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The symptoms of infection can vary, depending on the type of microorganism, as well as the location of the infection. \u201cPus usually accompanies one of the four signs of infection: heat, swelling, pain and redness,\u201d says <\/span>Brian M. Derby<\/span><\/a>, MD, a plastic surgeon with Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, Florida.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain health conditions increase your risk for infection such as diabetes or immune system disorders. \u201cSome people do seem predisposed to skin infections,\u201d adds <\/span>Mary Alice Mina<\/span><\/a>, MD, a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia. \u201cOftentimes, these patients are colonized with staphylococcus aureus in their nostrils. When patients have a history of skin infections, we will also swab or treat the inside of their nostrils with medication to decrease bacteria there.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifestyle factors can raise your risk for developing an infection, too. For example, research suggests that people who smoke are more likely to develop <\/span>peritonsillar abscesses<\/span><\/a>, which are sores filled with pus at the back of the throat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is pus a good thing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d says Dr. Derby. \u201cP-U-S is B-A-D.\u201d It\u2019s the byproduct of your body fighting an infection. It\u2019s most noticeable in wounds on your skin, but it can occur in abscesses anywhere in your body. It\u2019s a sign that you need some sort of treatment, whether that\u2019s cleaning and draining the infected wound, applying antifungals for fungal infections, or antibiotics depending on the location and severity of infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Locations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pus can develop on many parts of the body, unfortunately, when the conditions are right (or wrong, such as the case may be). Here are some examples of the many infection types that can lead to pus formation:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n