Blood and pus are natural reactions to fighting bacterial infections, often coming from infected wounds or glands. Harmful bacteria can damage tissue, but the immune system fights infections by tagging bacteria for white blood cells to consume, resulting in dead macrophage cells accumulating in the infected area, seen as pus. Skin is the body’s first line of defense, and infected wounds should be treated by a doctor. Blood and pus in bodily secretions can indicate serious digestive system problems.
Seeing blood and pus oozing from anywhere on the body can be a disturbing experience. It is, however, the body’s natural reaction to fighting a bacterial infection. When trying to get rid of such a condition, the blood and pus usually come from an infected wound, an infected sebaceous gland, or an internal infection.
Some types of bacteria can cause serious harm to the body, damaging tissue and killing cells. The more these harmful bacteria reproduce and grow in number, the more harm they can do to the body. The immune system is the body’s natural mechanism for treating bacterial infections before they do too much damage. The antibodies tag harmful bacteria so that white blood cells, called macrophages, can begin consuming the infectious cells, and this process destroys the bacteria. The macrophages will continue to consume bacteria until the white blood cells themselves die.
When the body is fighting a serious infection, the remains of macrophages that died during the consumption of bacteria will accumulate in the infected area. This concentration of dead macrophage cells is what people see as pus. Blood also concentrates in these infected areas to deliver extra macrophages to help fight the infection, so the two fluids can often be seen together.
An example of the most common causes of blood and pus accumulation is in acne. After the onset of puberty, the sebaceous glands in the skin begin producing an oily substance called sebum. A combination of sebum and dead skin cells can cause pores and hair follicles to become clogged. When bacteria get trapped under this clog, they can reproduce and create a small infection. As the macrophages fight off this infection, blood and pus will build up under the hoof, causing a pimple.
The skin is usually the body’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria. When skin is broken, it provides an opportunity for bacteria to enter the surrounding tissue. If blood or pus begins to seep through a wound, it often means it has become infected. An infected wound that isn’t treated could become life-threatening if the infection travels into the bloodstream. When this happens, the wound is said to have become septic. For this reason, all cuts and abrasions should be well cared for, and any that appear to be infected should be seen and treated by a doctor.
Blood and pus in other bodily secretions, such as urine or fecal matter, can indicate a serious digestive system problem. Such conditions could include infected ulcers, Crohn’s disease, dysentery or cancer. Individuals who notice blood and pus in their stools should see a doctor right away.
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