What medicine gets rid of pus?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Pus is a fluid containing dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria, and its presence is a clear sign that your immune system is actively fighting an infection. Knowing what medicine gets rid of pus is a common concern, but effective treatment often involves a combination of medical intervention and targeted medications.

Quick Summary

Pus forms as an immune response to infection and may require medical drainage in addition to medication for resolution. Oral and topical antibiotics are prescribed based on the infection's location and severity, with options varying for different bacterial strains like MRSA.

Key Points

Pus Requires Drainage: For a contained collection of pus (an abscess), medical drainage is typically necessary before or in conjunction with medication.
Antibiotics Treat the Cause: The medicine that 'gets rid of' pus is an antibiotic that eliminates the bacterial infection triggering the immune response.
Severity Dictates Treatment: Minor, superficial pus may resolve with home care, but deeper infections require professional drainage and prescription antibiotics.
Never Squeeze Abscesses: Attempting to drain an abscess yourself is dangerous and can spread the infection, potentially leading to serious complications.
Types of Antibiotics Vary: Oral antibiotics like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin are used for systemic infections, while topical ones like mupirocin are for superficial ones.

The Role of Medication and Medical Intervention

Pus is a byproduct of the body's natural defense system, forming as a collection of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue at the site of an infection. While it is a sign of an active immune response, a significant collection of pus, known as an abscess, often requires more than simple medication to resolve. The most effective approach typically involves a combination of physically draining the pus and using medication to eliminate the underlying infection.

For small, superficial infections like pimples, the body may resolve the issue on its own, sometimes with the help of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. However, larger or deeper pus-filled pockets, such as boils, carbuncles, or internal abscesses, can pose serious health risks if not treated properly by a healthcare professional.

Medical Procedures for Draining Pus

For a contained collection of pus like a skin abscess, medical drainage is often the primary and most critical step. Attempting to squeeze or drain an abscess at home is dangerous and can spread the infection deeper into the tissue or bloodstream, potentially leading to a more severe condition known as sepsis. A medical professional can safely perform one of the following procedures:

Incision and Drainage (I&D): For skin abscesses, a doctor will numb the area, make a small cut to allow the pus to drain completely, and clean the cavity. In some cases, sterile packing is inserted to keep the wound open and allow for continued drainage.
Percutaneous Abscess Drainage: For internal abscesses, an interventional radiologist uses imaging techniques like CT scans or ultrasound to guide a needle or catheter to the abscess. The pus is then aspirated, and a drainage tube may be left in place for a few days to ensure complete drainage.

Systemic and Topical Medications

While drainage removes the existing pus, medication is often necessary to kill the bacteria responsible for the infection and prevent its spread. The specific medication depends on the type and location of the infection.

Oral Antibiotics for Severe Infections

For more significant or spreading infections, oral antibiotics are prescribed to fight bacteria throughout the body. The choice of antibiotic is based on the most likely culprit, often Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), including the antibiotic-resistant strain MRSA.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim): Often used for community-associated MRSA infections.
Clindamycin: Another option for staph infections, including MRSA, though regional resistance patterns are a consideration.
Doxycycline: A tetracycline-class antibiotic used for various bacterial skin infections, including those with pus.
Cephalexin: A cephalosporin antibiotic effective for many staph and strep infections.

Topical Treatments for Superficial Infections

For minor infections, such as small areas of folliculitis or impetigo, a healthcare provider may prescribe a topical antibiotic. OTC options are also available for milder conditions like acne.

Mupirocin (Bactroban): A potent prescription topical antibiotic that works by stopping bacterial growth on the skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide: An over-the-counter treatment for acne that helps kill the bacteria associated with pus-filled pimples.

Comparison of Treatment Options


Treatment Method	Best for	Requires Prescription?	How It Works	Important Considerations
At-Home Care (Warm Compress)	Small, superficial infections (e.g., small boils) in early stages.	No	Increases blood flow to help the body bring the infection to a head and drain naturally.	Never squeeze the infection. Only for minor, unbroken skin issues.
Topical Antibiotics	Minor skin infections like impetigo or some types of folliculitis.	Yes (e.g., Mupirocin), or OTC (e.g., Benzoyl Peroxide)	Kills or inhibits bacterial growth directly on the skin's surface.	Ineffective for deep or enclosed abscesses. Use only as directed.
Oral Antibiotics	Moderate to severe infections, systemic spread, or post-drainage.	Yes	Kills bacteria throughout the body via the bloodstream.	Must be prescribed based on the pathogen and resistance patterns. Complete the full course.
Incision and Drainage (I&D)	Skin abscesses (larger, walled-off pockets of pus).	Yes (Performed by a medical professional)	Physically removes the pus and infected material to allow proper healing.	Often requires an accompanying antibiotic regimen.
Percutaneous Drainage	Internal abscesses (e.g., in organs).	Yes (Performed by a medical specialist)	Uses imaging guidance to drain pus from deep within the body.	Minimally invasive but still a hospital-based procedure.

The Criticality of Medical Assessment

Understanding which medicine gets rid of pus begins with correctly identifying the severity and type of infection. What works for a mild acne pustule is completely ineffective and potentially dangerous for a deep, systemic infection. The hallmark of an abscess is the walled-off nature of the pus, which prevents oral or topical medications from reaching the core effectively. This is why medical drainage is often non-negotiable for these types of infections, with antibiotics serving as a crucial follow-up to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria.

For persistent or recurring skin infections, a healthcare provider might investigate underlying conditions that compromise the immune system. They may also run lab cultures on the pus to identify the specific bacteria and its antibiotic sensitivities, ensuring the most effective treatment is prescribed.

Conclusion

In summary, the most effective medication to get rid of pus is an antibiotic specifically chosen to combat the underlying bacterial infection. However, for most significant pus collections (abscesses), medication must be combined with a medical procedure for drainage. Small, superficial infections might respond to simple home care and topical treatments, but any deep, painful, or spreading infection requires professional medical attention. Ignoring or improperly treating an infection can lead to severe health complications, emphasizing the importance of seeking expert medical advice for effective and safe treatment. For more comprehensive information on skin and soft tissue infections, a reliable source like the American Academy of Family Physicians offers further guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

For minor infections like acne, over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide can help. However, for deeper or larger pus collections (abscesses), over-the-counter medicines are ineffective, and you need professional medical evaluation and often prescription antibiotics.

If an infection producing pus is left untreated, it can spread to deeper tissues or into the bloodstream, leading to serious, life-threatening complications like sepsis.

Not always. Small, superficial infections like pimples might heal on their own with proper hygiene. However, larger or deeper abscesses almost always require drainage and often oral antibiotics to fully resolve the infection.

A medical professional performs an incision and drainage (I&D) procedure, where the area is numbed, a small cut is made to release the pus, and the cavity is cleaned out.

The best antibiotic depends on whether the bacteria are resistant to certain drugs, like MRSA. Common options include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) or clindamycin, but a doctor will determine the right one after assessment.

Yes, applying a warm, moist compress to a small, contained infection like a boil can help bring the pus to the surface so it can drain on its own. It's important not to squeeze it.

You should see a doctor if the infection is large, deep, very painful, or shows signs of spreading, such as red streaking, or if you experience a fever or chills. These can be signs of a systemic infection.