How to Heal an Open Pimple Wound Fast

Treating the Sore or Hole From a Popped Pimple

Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD

So you popped a pimple that was driving you crazy (yes, you know you shouldn’t pop pimples, but sometimes you just can’t help yourself). Now, instead of a pimple, you have a hole from a pimple, an angry red sore, or a dry crusty scab.

This article discusses how to heal an open pimple wound fast. It also covers several at-home treatments that will help soothe your popped pimple and avoid any scarring.

Don't Continue to Pick at the Pimple

First things first: You must allow the popped pimple to heal. That means no more messing with it.

Don’t squeeze it to see if any more will come out, even if the blemish develops a whitehead again. Don’t pick at the scab. Let your skin start the healing process without being interrupted. As your skin heals, keep your hands off of it.

If that's hard for you, there are small stickers called hydrocolloid sheets that may help. These are bandages that trap moisture and keep dirt and excess oil away from your popped pimple.

Gently Clean the Blemish

If you’ve just recently popped the pimple, go ahead and give it a good cleansing now. You can use your regular facial cleanser for this as you’re washing your face. Be gentle, though, and try not to knock off the scab that is trying to form.

You can also use a touch of witch hazel on a cotton ball or swab. Carefully dab the popped pimple with this solution a few times a day, at least until a good scab forms. Again, don't aggressively rub at it or disrupt the forming scab.

Although lots of people suggest cleaning a popped pimple with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, those can sting. They also aren't as effective as witch hazel at reducing inflammation.

Apply Ice If Swollen

If you've really gone to town squeezing at a blemish, you probably have a big, swollen, red bump on your face right about now. Ice is the best way to soothe it down and reduce inflammation.

Use an ice cube or cold pack, either wrapped in a soft cloth or paper towel. Apply it over the swollen area for a few minutes at a time, several times a day. This will help take down the swelling and make your popped pimple look and feel a whole lot better.

A warm compress may help too.

Takeaway

If your popped pimple isn't swollen and already has formed a scab, icing the area won't do anything, so you can just skip this step.

Dab on an Antibiotic Ointment

Treat your popped pimple like an open wound, because that's basically what it is. An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment is your best friend.

Dot a tiny amount directly on the popped pimple or scab. This will help speed up healing time. It also keeps the scab moist, so it won't look as dry, crackly, and obvious. Keep a picked-at pimple covered with a small amount of ointment until it's fully healed. This can take a few days.

Also, make sure you're only covering the pimple, not the skin around it (especially if it's on your face). Antibiotic ointment may clog your pores, so you want to keep it just in the area where it's needed.

Antibiotic ointments are not meant for treating acne—only for protecting open wounds from bacterial infection. Applying an antibiotic ointment to your skin harms the "good" bacteria that naturally flourishes there, increasing the risk of bacterial resistance.

Similarly, corticosteroids like Neosporin, are not acne treatments; use these to reduce redness, itching, and swelling.

Does Vaseline Help with Acne?

There is no evidence that pure petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, is comedogenic (pore-clogging). In fact, some research shows that using petroleum jelly on an acne papule may actually help it heal. Applying Vaseline to a popped pimple scab will keep it moist, which should, in turn, promote healing.

Natural Treatments

Across clinical studies, several natural remedies have been proven safe and effective for fighting acne, healing wounds, reducing inflammation, and soothing the skin.

Natural treatments to consider for healing a popped pimple include:

• Aloe vera boasts antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties that can fight inflammatory acne and heal popped pimples without drying out the skin.

• Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can protect and heal open wounds. Tea tree oil gel may significantly improve mild to moderate acne with only minimal side effects like dryness.

• Honey has been used since ancient times for wound healing, as it is a powerful agent for soothing inflammation and protecting open wounds from infection.

• Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains potent antiseptic properties. According to historical records, ACV in combination with honey was used by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates to protect open skin wounds from infection.

• Calamine is widely used as an antiseptic that protects against infection. It is also regarded for its soothing, cooling effect that relieves inflamed, irritated skin.

Aloe vera, tea tree oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and calamine can each be applied directly to a popped pimple wound.

Continue Using Your Acne Treatments

If you're using any over-the-counter (OTC) acne products or prescription acne medications, you should continue to do so. Most acne medications have antibacterial properties that should be helpful in getting the popped pimple to heal.

Takeaway

If you treat your popped pimple well, it should heal within a few days. Try to be patient until this happens.

Prevention

The best way to avoid facial scarring is to never pop your pimples.

When you pop a pimple, the materials contained inside (sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells) may unintentionally be shot into a follicle. If the walls of the follicle rupture, those materials can be sent to a lower layer of skin. This can cause inflammation and infection.

Popping a pimple increases your risk of developing acne scars, and can make acne worse. But we're all human, and most humans occasionally pop pimples. Still, try your very best not to squeeze your blemishes.

If you have an overwhelming need to pop, pick, or squeeze your blemishes, to the point of causing damage to your skin, talk with your healthcare provider. You may have a specific type of acne called excoriated acne. Your healthcare provider can help you get the treatment you need.

Also, if you aren't a compulsive picker, but still need help getting breakouts under control, you should give your healthcare provider a call. There are prescription medications that can help you clear up your acne.

Can You Pop a Blind Pimple?

It is possible to pop a blind pimple (cystic acne), but it isn't recommended. Popping any kind of acne can potentially make it worse, cause skin damage, and leave a scar. Cystic acne is often treated using oral antibiotics and corticosteroid injections. These methods of treatment are more safe and effective than popping.

Summary

If you need to heal a popped pimple, there are several things you can do.

Avoid touching the scab so it has time to heal. Apply a small amount of witch hazel on the scab several times a day. Use your normal facial cleanser to keep the area clean.

If the area is swollen, you can apply ice or a warm compress. Continue using your acne treatments. You can also use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to help heal your popped pimple.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.