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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Cause Of Recurring Bumps On The Back With Grey Pus ?

Hi. I ve had some acne (I believe) on my back for the past year. The zits or bumps are raised and most times are the same color as the skin. You wouldn t know they were there unless you run your finger over them. When they are popped, they continually refill and never fully heal or become infected. Today one of them had a black head. When it was popped a grey formed pus came out. The amount that came out would equal to about 1/3 of the 5th distal interphalangial joint . I m not quite sure if I should see a dermatologist or what these could possibly be. It doesn t sound like a sebaceous cyst from what I ve read, but I don t know what would have grey pus. Normally it is white or yellow. I am also not quite sure why these wont heal. Thank you for your assistance.
posted on Tue, 20 Mar 2012
Twitter Wed, 21 Mar 2012 Answered on
Twitter Sun, 22 Apr 2012 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
hi & welcome to HCM ,
There are many variations of acne, ranging in severity from mild to severely disfiguring.Whiteheads: Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a tiny white spot to appear on the surface.Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads. Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air.A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear. Papules: Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule. It will do no good, and may worsen scarring. Pustules: A pustule is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center.
generally ,non -responding cases require investigation like sensitivity test of antibiotics from ,pus & steroidal therapy ,in supervision of a dermatologist ,
hope ,i could answer your query .
regards.
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Dermatologist,  Dr. Puvvula Kishore Kumar's  Response
Hi...dear Brian..,
Thanks for choosing HCM..,
ACNE VULGARIS...it is pilosebaceous glands infection..,
It is commonly seen in face...,the next one is back..,
and shoulders .,Black heads are due to infection ofAcne..,
by P.acnales..,Here blackness is due to oxidation of Sulphur..,
by Bacteria........So appearing pf lesions are there..,
Grey pus is also due to Sulphur....,
good treatment is available..,
1) Apply Benzoyl peroxide forte gel (PERSOL FORTE-Wallace).,
2 times daily on back of the body..,
3) Tab..Doxycycline 100 mg daily for 2months...,
4) Tab Azithromycin 250 mg daily for 5 days ..night times.,
5) Morning times ACNESOL LOTION on back of the body..,
thanQ

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What Is The Cause Of Recurring Bumps On The Back With Grey Pus ?

hi & welcome to HCM , There are many variations of acne, ranging in severity from mild to severely disfiguring.Whiteheads: Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a tiny white spot to appear on the surface.Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads. Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is the skin s own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air.A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear. Papules: Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule. It will do no good, and may worsen scarring. Pustules: A pustule is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. generally ,non -responding cases require investigation like sensitivity test of antibiotics from ,pus & steroidal therapy ,in supervision of a dermatologist , hope ,i could answer your query . regards.