Was a pimple, now what?

[UltimateDJuan]

I had a pimple on my face that lasted for about the same time as a normal pimple, however instead of going away completely, it changed from being a small red pimple to being skin color and slightly larger.

What do I do to get rid of it? It's been around 3-4 monthes and it's still here.

 

[OfficeSpace]

Maybe it got cut open and infected. Did you mess with it? Does it keep getting reopened when shaving?

 

[UltimateDJuan]

Yes, I did mess with it a little bit (while it was a pimple). I try my best to avoid it when shaving.

Assuming it got infected, how long would it take to go away on its own?

Or will it not go away on its own?

 

[OfficeSpace]

The best suggestion I can give you is dab some neosporin on it. Maybe the other guys on this forum can help you out on this. Just don't be tempted to reopen the infected area (I know it can be tempting). It will heal much faster if you let it dry out. Don't touch it since it will only irritate the infected area more. Taking a lot of vitamins would prolly help give your body the nutrients it needs to repair itself.

Good luck bro!

 

[Shiftkey]

That's happened to me. It's an ingrown hair - you have to pluck that sucker out with some tweezers.

 

[Unregistered]

I agree, it sounds like an ingrown hair. If it's really deep you might have to use a needle and some rubbing alcohol.

 

[UltimateDJuan]

I think you guys are right about it being ingrown hair (I think this is the first time it's happened to me).

Can one of you provide some details on exactly how this is done?

Do I just poke the blob with a sterilizied needle and get the pus out? I still don't know how i'll be able to fix the ingrown hair even after poking it with the needle (how would I get the tweezers in there?). Is there an easier way?

If I left it alone, would it go away by itself? Seems a little too complicated! I heard something about salicyclic acid (aspirin) being useful, but I'm not sure exactly how this would work.

Also: Assuming I tried the needle method, how would I prevent a scar from forming?

 

[Shiftkey]

Whenever I've gotten an ingrown hair I haven't used a needle. Tweezers worked fine for me. You have to dig a little bit and cringe through the pain, but usually the hair is pretty close to the surface. There's generally no puss. Once you get a hold of the hair with your tweezers, completely pluck it out (you might be shocked at how big the hair is). There might be a little dot of blood, but I've found removed ingrown hairs heal really quick and I have no scars from them.

And it's a great feeling when you pull out those suckers - nothing quite like it

 

[UltimateDJuan]

Update:

Ok well according to the doctor it's a facial cyst (which is completely harmless) but it basically looks like a pimple (except its not red) that will not go away. He said he can probably cut it out, but a small scar might remain.

What do you think I should do?

 

[Docs]

Ask him if it may be a ingrown, and get him to pull it out for you?

 

[TheNewGuy]

salicyclic acid (aspirin)

Whoever told you salicyclic acid is aspirin is a moron. Salicyclic acid is the active ingrediant in the majority of acne fighting pads.

 

[Throttle]

it's an easy mistake to make as they are closely related. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicylic_acid

 

[TheNewGuy]

it's an easy mistake to make as they are closely related. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicylic_acid

Ahh I didn't know this. I take back my moron comment.

However, aspirin still won't help your pimples.

 

[Throttle]

However, aspirin still won't help your pimples.

Indeed.

 

[Throttle]

he can probably cut it out, but a small scar might remain.

If he says it may scar, count on it scarring--though a little scar like that will probably diminish with time.

You'll have to decide how much it bothers you. Any scarring will probably be noticeable only to you, while it sounds like the cyst is rather more prominent. But definitely your call. Chicks dig scars (or are at least usually fascinated by them), but usually more with the "whoa boy did I slice myself open" variety.

As an aside on neosporin, the latest advice on an open wound (like when I cut myself shaving yesterday morning) is to clean it with soap and water, and to not use neosporin. Apparently this is better from both an infection and a scarring standpoint. Strange as it sounds.

 

[Docs]

Neosporin covers the wound, not allowing air and outside crap to get in...water + soap disinfects and washes it out in the first place.

Apperently (rubbing) alcohol works well for cuts...I fuggled up my back with scrapes and imbedded gravel...and man, did it hurt....but I think that is what saved a infection because it scabbed up and flaked off, no problems.

 

[Skilla_Staz]

Scarring generally goes away with time. Getting a tan, and the general sloughing of skin aid in that.

Also, chances are it'll be a tiny little scar that won't really be noticed, especially if its pimple sized.

From what I've been through, scars are about 1/2 the size of the actual wound, unless its a DEEP flesh wound.

 

[reyalp]

Scarring generally goes away with time. Getting a tan, and the general sloughing of skin aid in that.

Also, chances are it'll be a tiny little scar that won't really be noticed, especially if its pimple sized.

From what I've been through, scars are about 1/2 the size of the actual wound, unless its a DEEP flesh wound.

It's only a flesh wound! </Black Knight voice>

 

[Freddy1]

I had a pimple on my face that lasted for about the same time as a normal pimple, however instead of going away completely, it changed from being a small red pimple to being skin color and slightly larger.

What do I do to get rid of it? It's been around 3-4 monthes and it's still here.

Check with a dermatologist. Theres a slight chance it might be a skin tumor.