Randy Chandler
Pus can sometimes smell like cheese, but it can also have a range of other odours, from garlic and onions to rotten eggs. The smell of pus is caused by bacteria and broken-down cells from human tissue. When a boil or abscess bursts, the bacteria in the pus react with the air, creating a distinctive and unpleasant smell. This can be a sign of a skin condition such as acne conglobata or hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), which can cause painful lumps, boils, and abscesses that may drain foul-smelling pus. While an occasional stinky pimple is not uncommon, frequent occurrences could signal a more serious skin issue, so it's important to see a dermatologist for a proper assessment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Cheese, rotten eggs, garlic, onions, rotting flesh, sulphur |
| Cause | Dead bacteria, white blood cells, necrotic material, sweat, bacteria, skin tissues, inflammation |
| Treatment | Prescription medication, avoiding skin irritants, lifestyle changes (e.g. quitting smoking, wearing loose clothing, maintaining a healthy weight) |
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What You'll Learn
Acne conglobata causes pus to smell like cheese
Acne conglobata is a rare but severe form of nodulocystic acne. It usually presents with tender, disfiguring, interconnecting comedones, cysts, inflammatory nodules, and deep burrowing abscesses on the face, shoulders, back, chest, upper arms, buttocks, and thighs. The cysts often contain purulent, foul-smelling material that is discharged on the skin surface. This material can smell like rotten eggs, garlic, or onions.
The foul odour associated with acne conglobata is caused by the presence of dead bacteria, white blood cells, and other necrotic material in the pus or sebum. Anaerobic bacteria, which do not require oxygen to grow, are commonly found in acne lesions and produce their own sulfur compounds as they grow. These sulfur-containing compounds are responsible for the pungent smell associated with acne conglobata.
In addition to the odour, acne conglobata is characterised by scarring and disfigurement. The interconnecting abscesses can lead to the formation of large, irregular scars. The condition can also have significant emotional effects on patients due to the disfigurement it causes.
Acne conglobata may occur in isolation or in association with systemic inflammatory conditions such as SAPHO syndrome, PAPA syndrome, PASH syndrome, or PAPASH syndrome. It can also develop following the use of androgenic anabolic steroids and is commonly seen in bodybuilders. The cause of acne conglobata is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the interplay of multiple factors, including follicular hyperkeratinization and hormonally-induced sebum production.
Treatment for acne conglobata typically involves the use of isotretinoin, a form of retinoid, for four to six months. Systemic steroids, such as prednisone, may also be prescribed for two to four weeks in conjunction with isotretinoin. In some cases, antibiotics may be recommended to help manage the infection and reduce the severity of the symptoms. Emotional support is also important due to the psychological impact of this disfiguring form of acne.
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) cysts and boils can smell like cheese
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease that causes lumps under the skin, usually around hair follicles or where skin rubs against skin. These lumps can get infected and form painful abscesses, which can rupture and leak pus, leaving the skin thickly scarred. The term "hidradenitis" means inflammation of the sweat gland, and "suppurativa" means pus-forming in Greek.
HS cysts and boils can smell like cheese due to the presence of bacteria and broken-down cells from human tissue. The bacteria infecting the cysts, known as anaerobic bacteria, thrive in low-oxygen conditions and can multiply under the skin before the cysts erupt. When the cysts burst, the bacteria, along with the dead skin cells and other necrotic material, produce a foul odour that can be reminiscent of strong, rotten cheese.
The odour associated with HS can vary from person to person and may be influenced by the extent of infection or the severity of the flare-up. Some people describe the smell as similar to rotting flesh, while others compare it to an animal shelter or dirty piercing. The location of the cysts can also affect the odour, with areas that are typically moister or sweatier tending to produce more pronounced odours.
The Hurley scale categorizes HS into three stages based on the severity of symptoms, with the second and third stages commonly associated with the development of odour. As the disease progresses, tunnels or sinus tracts can form under the skin, trapping sweat and bacteria, leading to further infection, inflammation, and a more pronounced odour.
While it is not possible to prevent HS cysts from draining and creating an odour, proper wound care and keeping the affected area clean can help minimize further smells. Treatment options for HS aim to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups, and they may include prescription medications, avoiding skin irritants, and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and wearing loose-fitting clothing.
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The smell of pus is caused by bacteria and dead cells
Pus can have a strong odour, which can be compared to the smell of cheese. This smell is caused by bacteria and dead cells.
Pus is a result of inflammation, which can be caused by an infection. Inflammation occurs when the body's white blood cells and fluids rush to an infected area to fight off infection-causing bacteria. As the white blood cells die, they, along with the bacteria, create a build-up of necrotic material, which produces a foul odour.
The smell of pus can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the location of the inflammation on the body. For example, pus from acne conglobata, a rare form of nodulocystic acne, can smell like rotten eggs. This is due to the sulphur compounds produced by the anaerobic bacteria that cause this type of acne.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition that causes painful abscesses, is another example of a skin infection that can result in foul-smelling pus. HS typically occurs in areas where there is skin-to-skin friction, such as the armpits and groin. The odour associated with HS can be particularly embarrassing for those living with the condition.
While it may be tempting to pop or squeeze pimples and zits, this can push bacteria deeper into the skin and should be avoided. It is important to see a dermatologist or healthcare professional for proper treatment and management of any skin infections or conditions causing foul-smelling pus.
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Pus from an epidermoid cyst can look like cottage cheese
Pus from acne or boils can sometimes smell like cheese, but this is not always the case. The smell is often due to the presence of dead bacteria, white blood cells, and other necrotic material in the pus. In some cases, the pus may have a foul odor, smelling like rotten eggs, garlic, or onions.
Now, when it comes to epidermoid cysts, these are typically harmless, slow-growing bumps under the skin that can appear in various parts of the body, including the scalp, face, trunk, upper back, or groin area. These cysts are often filled with keratin and cell debris, which form a thick, yellow substance that may drain from the cyst. This substance is not typically described as resembling cottage cheese, but it can have a foul odor.
While the drained substance from an epidermoid cyst may not resemble cottage cheese in terms of appearance, it is important to note that cottage cheese is often used as a descriptive comparison for various substances, including those with a lumpy, curdled, or clumpy consistency. In this regard, it is possible that the drained substance from an epidermoid cyst could be likened to cottage cheese in texture or consistency, even if it does not have the same color or odor.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that epidermoid cysts can sometimes become inflamed, infected, or ruptured. In such cases, the risk of infection increases, and the presence of bacteria can further contribute to the development of odors. While the drained substance from a healthy epidermoid cyst may not have a strong odor, an inflamed or infected cyst could produce pus with a more noticeable smell, potentially resembling that of cheese if bacteria are present.
Overall, while the drained substance from an epidermoid cyst is not specifically described as looking or smelling like cottage cheese, the presence of certain consistencies, textures, or infections could result in similarities that might evoke such a comparison. Each case of an epidermoid cyst is unique, and the appearance and odor of the drained substance can vary depending on various factors, including the location, severity, and presence of infection.
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Pus can smell like rotten eggs, garlic, or onions
Pus can have a strong and unpleasant smell, which can be compared to that of cheese. This odour is caused by the build-up of dead bacteria, white blood cells, and other necrotic material in the pus or sebum.
In the case of acne conglobata, a rare form of nodulocystic acne, the pus can have a particularly strong odour, reminiscent of rotten eggs. This is due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria, which produce their own sulfur compounds as they grow. These sulfur-containing compounds can also give off a pungent smell of garlic or onions when the acne is popped.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition, can also result in foul-smelling pus. HS typically affects the armpits and groin areas, causing painful red abscesses that may drain pus with a strong odour. The smell is caused by the bacteria and broken-down cells from human tissue that accumulate in the cysts or boils. Keeping wounds clean and managing the underlying condition through prescription medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce the odour associated with HS.
While the comparison to cheese is not uncommon, the smell of pus can vary depending on the underlying cause and the type of bacteria present. Some individuals have described the smell of pus as similar to warm, wet skin, rotting flesh, or a combination of onion and garlic.
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Frequently asked questions
No, pus can smell like many different things, including cheese, rotten eggs, garlic, onions, or even sulphur. The smell of pus is caused by the bacteria that has built up in the area and the degradation of white blood cells.
The smell of pus is caused by the bacteria that has built up in the area and the degradation of white blood cells. The bacteria break down the white blood cells and other cells in the tissue, releasing chemical compounds that have a distinctive, unpleasant odour.
A strong odour, especially if it smells like rotten eggs or garlic, can be a sign of a more serious skin condition such as Acne Conglobata or Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). If you are concerned about the smell of pus, it is best to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional.
To get rid of the smell of pus, you must treat the underlying cause. This may include prescription medications, avoiding skin irritants, and making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Keeping the wound clean can also help to prevent further smells.
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