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What Are the Common Causes of White Pus?
Primarily, the most common cause of white pus is an infection, often induced by bacteria or any other foreign substances. In some cases, pus can be caused by a suppurative, or something that forces the pus to come out. White pus in itself is not a bad thing; it is actually a symptom of something foreign that the body is fighting against. It is also an indication that the immune system is functioning properly by defending the body from infections. Usually, pus is of a whitish to yellowish color, but it can appear to be greenish, bluish, or even brownish, depending on the bacteria and the pigment it is generating.
The reason why some pus is white is because it is usually made up of white blood cells. When the body experiences an infection, the bone marrow produces more white blood cells, all of which rush directly to the infection to fight off and “eat” the bacteria coming in. After the process, the white blood cells eventually die off and the waste matter both from the bacteria and the white blood cells on the infection site and becomes the pus. If the pus is located just beneath the skin, it can be called a “pimple,” such as often seen on the face. If the pus is located deeper into the tissues, doctors usually label this as an “abscess.”
An everyday situation in which one can experience the presence of pus is when one gets wounded. The surface, such as hard soil, on which the skin is scraped, usually contains different kinds of bacteria, which can then be transferred to the open wound. It is also not uncommon for debris, such as wood splinters, to get wedged in the skin. As a result, the white blood cells “attack” the foreign substances and the bacteria and create white pus. In some cases where foreign objects such as unsterilized needles or bullets go deeper within, it can form an abscess inside the tissue.
Visible white pus can also be caused by a suppurative agent that forces the infection to come to a “head” or a “point.” Doctors often advise their patients not to “pop” or drain the pus because it will eventually be reabsorbed by the body and flushed out as toxins by the liver or the kidney. If the pus, however, has remained in the area for an extended period, the dormant bacteria left in the pus may become active and cause worse infections, making it necessary for the pus to be drained. One can grind or boil the leaves and roots from different suppurative plants such as the banyan tree, sugar-apple tree, or the common grape vine and apply them externally to the infection site to induce suppuration. If the white pus is significantly visible, doctors can easily drain it out by using a syringe.
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![Most doctors will advise patients not to drain pus because it will be reabsorbed by the body.]()
By: nyulMost doctors will advise patients not to drain pus because it will be reabsorbed by the body. -
![Pimples are actually pus located under the skin.]()
By: Cheryl CaseyPimples are actually pus located under the skin. -
![There are a number of cleansing products on the market to help reduce the occurrence of pimples.]()
By: ipagThere are a number of cleansing products on the market to help reduce the occurrence of pimples. -
![An infection is the most common cause of white pus.]()
By: thegardenAn infection is the most common cause of white pus. -
![White pus consists of white blood cells, hence its distinct color.]()
By: apple1White pus consists of white blood cells, hence its distinct color.
Discussion Comments
No. Pus means that your body is fighting the infection, not that it is necessarily winning the fight. In addition, spider venoms are a complex mixture of neurotoxic and cytotoxic compounds that will kill the cells around the area of the bite, dissolve them and produce a necrotic liquid. This is how they digest their prey from the inside and then suck out the liquefied contents. Necrotic tissue is, dead tissue. The "white pus" may also be liquefied, dead cells, so see a doctor immediately.
Not today, not tomorrow, now.
@ZipLine-- I hope you're seeing a doctor because that sounds serious. Spider bites are dangerous because they are very likely to get infected. The infection can be due to the venom of the spider, in addition to bacteria. It's better to have white pus than brown or green, but this doesn't change the fact that you've got an infection. So see a doctor.
I'm relieved to know that white pus has white blood cells. That means that my body is winning the fight against bacteria right?
I have an infection on my neck, from a spider bite. The bite got infected and turned into a blistery rash even though I didn't do anything. And now it's draining white pus. It's kind of scary and I have no idea what type of spider did this.
I do drain pimples with a visible white head to remove white pus. I think it's easier for me to drain it than for my body to do it through other ways. The important part is using sterile tools, washing hands and cleaning the area to prevent infection. It's best not to drain a pimple or blister if one doesn't have experience because it can make things worse. It can introduce more bacteria and cause the infection to go deeper.
When I have a pimple filled with white pus, I first apply a hot towel to it to see if it will drain on its own. Taking a hot shower can also get the pimple to pop and drain. If this doesn't work, then I sterilize a needle by burning it, make a tiny hole in the center of the pimple and then use a clean, untouched cotton swab to gently press around the pimple. The pus drains out this way. After a few hours or by the next day, the pimple may have more pus come up to the surface and I gently press to remove those as well.
Afterward, I wash the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment. This is the most important step because it prevents another infection.
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