Acne lesions on the face or neck can become infected. This is particularly true if you have a habit of picking at or squeezing your pimples. By touching pimples, you can spread bacteria from your fingers to the acne lesions, and by squeezing them, you may force infected material deeper into your skin, spreading the infection. If you have a pimple on your neck, avoid touching it until it heals. If it is painful or if it is draining, you might be able to treat it at home.
Step 1
Wash your hands. Before touching any infection, including an infected pimple, make sure your hands are clean.
Step 2
Wash your neck with an antibacterial cleanser to remove excess bacteria from the area. Dry it with a soft cloth.
Step 3
Apply a warm wet washcloth to the area for 20 minutes. Run hot water over the washcloth as necessary to keep it warm. After each use, launder your washcloths with warm water and laundry detergent, and dry them in a clothes dryer to kill any bacteria.
Step 4
Dry your neck and apply an antibiotic ointment. If desired, place a bandage over the area.
Step 5
Repeat the procedure three to four times daily. Watch for signs of further redness, warmth or a lot of pus. Those are indications that your infection may be spreading, and you might need an oral antibiotic.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid shaving, if you normal shave where your pimple is. If you do have to shave, use a disposable razor and throw it away after each use to reduce your chance of spreading the infection. Wash towels after each use until your infection has gone away. Do not share towels with others in your household because this can spread the infection to family members.
- If you have a resistant infection, such as MRSA, you could put your health at risk by not having it treated by a medical professional. If your infection gets worse or is very painful, see your doctor right away.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial cleanser
- Washcloth
- Antibiotic ointment
- Bandages (optional)
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