• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Pustules

• Overview

Definition:

Pustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like lesions on the skin surface.

Considerations:

Pustules are common in acne . They may occur anywhere on the body, but are most commonly seen on the face, shoulders, back, and over the breastbone, and in areas of increased sweating such as the groin and armpit. Pustules may be a sign of a bacterial infection.

• Review Date: 10/18/2006
• Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.