BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPustulesPustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface. Considerations Pustules are common in acne and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle). They may occur anywhere on the body, but are most commonly seen in these areas:AcneAcne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits. " Whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts) may develop....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FolliculitisFolliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Back Face Over the breastbone Shoulders Sweaty areas, such as the groin or armpit Pustules may be a sign of an infection. In some cases, they are non-infectious and associated with inflammation in the skin or taking certain medicines. They should be checked by a health care provider and may need to be tested (cultured) for bacteria or fungus.CulturedA skin or nail culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify germs that cause problems with the skin or nails. It is called a mucosal culture...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Principles of diagnosis and anatomy. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.Marks JG, Miller JJ. Pustules. In: Marks JG, Miller JJ, eds. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12.AllVideoImagesTogPustules - superficial on the arm - illustration An infection of the topmost layers of the skin, especially one caused by staphylococci, may produce pustules, which look like small blisters containing a thick, yellowish material.Pustules - superficial on the armillustrationAcne - close-up of pustular lesions - illustration Acne lesions frequently contain pus. This close-up photograph shows small acne pustules with surrounding inflammation (erythema).Acne - close-up of pustular lesionsillustrationAcne - cystic on the face - illustration The face is the most common location of acne. Here, there are 4 to 6 millimeter red (erythematous) pustules, some with bridging scars and fistulous tract formation (connecting passages). Severe acne may have a profound psychological impact and may cause scarring. Effective treatments are available for this type of acne.Acne - cystic on the faceillustrationDermatitis - pustular contact - illustration This is a close-up of a dermatitis reaction. It consists of a large, red (erythematous) lesion (plaque) with numerous small pus-filled areas (pustules).Dermatitis - pustular contactillustrationPustules - superficial on the arm - illustration An infection of the topmost layers of the skin, especially one caused by staphylococci, may produce pustules, which look like small blisters containing a thick, yellowish material.Pustules - superficial on the armillustrationAcne - close-up of pustular lesions - illustration Acne lesions frequently contain pus. This close-up photograph shows small acne pustules with surrounding inflammation (erythema).Acne - close-up of pustular lesionsillustrationAcne - cystic on the face - illustration The face is the most common location of acne. Here, there are 4 to 6 millimeter red (erythematous) pustules, some with bridging scars and fistulous tract formation (connecting passages). Severe acne may have a profound psychological impact and may cause scarring. Effective treatments are available for this type of acne.Acne - cystic on the faceillustrationDermatitis - pustular contact - illustration This is a close-up of a dermatitis reaction. It consists of a large, red (erythematous) lesion (plaque) with numerous small pus-filled areas (pustules).Dermatitis - pustular contactillustrationRelated Information Acne(Condition) Review Date: 11/30/2022 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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PustulesPustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface. Considerations Pustules are common in acne and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle). They may occur anywhere on the body, but are most commonly seen in these areas:AcneAcne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits. " Whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts) may develop....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FolliculitisFolliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Back Face Over the breastbone Shoulders Sweaty areas, such as the groin or armpit Pustules may be a sign of an infection. In some cases, they are non-infectious and associated with inflammation in the skin or taking certain medicines. They should be checked by a health care provider and may need to be tested (cultured) for bacteria or fungus.CulturedA skin or nail culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify germs that cause problems with the skin or nails. It is called a mucosal culture...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Principles of diagnosis and anatomy. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.Marks JG, Miller JJ. Pustules. In: Marks JG, Miller JJ, eds. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12.