Is The Disappearance Of A Pimple On My Head A Sign Of The Healing Of A Bacterial Infection?

Posted on Mon, 14 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 May 2018 Answered on

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a pimple on my head last week and the dermatologist did a culture and it came up as S. Mercanses. I was on antibiotics for 3 days and now on probiotics. The pimple is gone. Does that mean the bacteria is gone?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it means the bacteria has gone

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone through your complaints and yes it means that the bacteria has gone.
The antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria and once the pimple has gone it means the bacteria is also no longer there.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (6 minutes later)

And is there any chance of that bacteria getting into another part of my body like my blood or respiratory tract? It's just scary when you google that particular bacteria. Also would 3 days of the antibiotic do the trick? I've always thought antibiotics were given for 7-10 days

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Bacteria won't travel to other parts of body

Detailed Answer:
It is very unlikely that the bacteria will travel to other parts of the body.
Yes antibiotics are usually required for 3-7 days.
Sometimes 3 days of antibiotic are sufficient.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj