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Pus is caused by bacterial infections and can result from nail infections, dental abscesses, and surgical wounds. It can cause pain, inflammation, and redness, and may require antibiotics. Eye infections and abscessed teeth can also cause pus and should be treated by a healthcare professional.
The collection of pus is caused by a bacterial infection. Although viral infections can cause similar symptoms to bacterial infections, they are not responsible for pus formation. Pus collection can commonly result from nail infections, dental abscesses, and surgical wound infections. The color of the pus can vary, but is usually white, yellow, green, or blood-stained. It also has an unpleasant odor due to its high bacterial count.
In addition to the pus collection, a local infection can also cause pain, inflammation, and redness. Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and body aches could also occur due to an infection that produces pus. When the infection causes systemic symptoms, the doctor often recommends antibiotics. If, however, the infection produces only local symptoms, topical antibiotics may be the treatment of choice.
People who have had surgical procedures should monitor wound sites for signs and symptoms of pus collection. This can indicate a serious soft tissue infection and, if not resolved, can cause a serious blood infection, requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. When the surgical site produces pain, redness, pus collection, and warmth, it should be evaluated to determine the source of the infection. The healthcare provider might collect a sample of the pus or other drainage to determine which organism is causing the infection. This will also provide valuable insight into which antibiotics may prove effective in eradicating the infection.
Eye infections are also common reasons for pus to collect. Pink eye or conjunctivitis can cause redness, pain, itching, and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. A gritty or gritty sensation, dryness, and pus drainage may also occur. Because pink eye is extremely contagious, it must be treated with antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics. Warm compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers also help with symptoms, but will do little to clear the infection. It is important to wash your hands with soap and warm water to avoid re-infecting your eye or other parts of your body.
A dentist should be consulted when an abscessed tooth is accompanied by pus collection. In addition to causing severe pain, an untreated abscessed tooth can contribute to a throat or ear infection. Although antibiotic treatment is usually effective in relieving a dental infection, in severe cases the tooth may need to be extracted to completely eliminate the pain and other symptoms.
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