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What does pus smell like?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 15, 2026

Pus is typically an opaque white-yellow color, but it can also be tinted brown or even green. 1 It's usually odorless, though it may sometimes smell foul.

Why does pimple pus stink?

The smell is from the content of the cyst, which consists of bacteria and broken down cells from human tissue. Anaerobic bacteria, a type of bacteria that thrive in low oxygen conditions in wounds, often infect HS cysts. The bacteria degrade the white cells that attack them, as well as other cells in the tissue.

What does cyst pus smell like?

They multiply, forming the walls of the cyst; the fluid inside is excreted by these cells. Most descriptions of fluid from a cyst say it has a "foul" odor.

What abscess smells like?

What are the signs and symptoms of an abscess? You may have a swollen mass that is red and painful. Pus may leak out of the mass. The pus will be white or yellow and may smell bad.

Should you squeeze pus out?

Do not squeeze the pus out of the abscess yourself, because this can easily spread the bacteria to other areas of your skin. If you use tissues to wipe any pus away from your abscess, dispose of them straight away to avoid germs spreading. Wash your hands after you've disposed of the tissues.

37 related questions found

Why does pus hurt so much?

The body considers pus garbage and will try to get rid of it. But when pus collects in an abscess, it may not be able to drain out. As pus builds up, it can press against the skin and surrounding inflamed tissue, causing pain.

Why do boils stink?

In some cases the boil may smell unpleasant, which is usually when the boil drains and this is caused by the existence of bacteria within the pus.

Why does my pus smell like fish?

If you notice a fishy odor from your vagina or vaginal discharge, it may be caused by sweating, a bacterial infection, or even your genetics. The most common is cause is vaginitis, an infection or inflammation of the vagina.

Does an infected cyst smell?

The material in the cyst is often cheesy, fatty, or oily. The material can be thick (like cottage cheese) or liquid. The area around the cyst may smell bad. If the cyst breaks open, the material inside it often smells bad too.

Why does my pus smell like cheese?

The lining of an epidermoid cyst is made up of skin cells, which secrete keratin. Keratin is the material that makes up the hair, and the outer layer of skin. The contents of an epidermoid cyst are soft and “cheese-like,” with an unpleasant smell.

Do popped boils smell?

If it does burst, a person may notice yellow, unpleasant-smelling pus. It is not clear exactly why people get cysts, but they form when skin cells quickly multiply.

Why does the middle of my chest smell?

Bromhidrosis is usually related to secretions by apocrine glands. But both types of sweat glands can lead to abnormal body odor. Apocrine glands are located primarily in the underarm, groin, and breast areas. Sweat from the apocrine glands tends to be thicker than that produced by the eccrine glands.

What is the cheesy stuff in a cyst?

Sebaceous cysts are soft bumps under the skin. They contain keratin, which may look cheesy and have a foul odor. They may or may not get larger over time. Leave them alone or they can become infected.

Is pus supposed to smell?

Pus is typically an opaque white-yellow color, but it can also be tinted brown or even green. 1 It's usually odorless, though it may sometimes smell foul.

Do pimples have a smell?

Our bodies are capable of creating a lot of odd odors: from bad breath to gross gas, stinky sweat and even strange-smelling sneezes. And now you can add foul-smelling pimple pus to the list. Yep, pimples — when popped — can produce their own bouquet of scents.

Do pimples stink?

Over time, the pus pushes into the adjacent tissues and extrudes on the skin surface. Scar formation and disfigurement of the body are common with this type of acne. The comedones often occur in groups of three, and the cysts often contain purulent, foul-smelling material that is discharged on the skin surface.

Why do some pimples smell?

The first sign of acne conglobata may be pimples that get worse instead of better, eventually forming inflamed, infected nodules. These nodules are filled with pus and may have a foul odor. The most common symptoms of acne conglobata are: Deeply inflamed abscesses in the skin.

Why do cyst contents smell?

It comes from the cells that form the walls of the cysts. Those cells secrete a protein, known as keratin. These cysts are also made of fat, and it's often that substance, or infection, that makes the smell, according to American Family Physician.

Why does my wound smell like death?

3) Foul Odor. The presence of odor in a wound might be a sign of decaying or dead tissue. Do not use scented creams or other scented toiletries to try to hide the smell, because this could worsen the condition of the wound.

What is the normal smell of Virgina?

Tangy or fermented

It's very common for vaginas to produce a tangy or sour aroma. Some compare it to the smell of fermented foods. In fact, yogurt, sourdough bread, and even some sour beer contain the same type of good bacteria that dominate most healthy vaginas: Lactobacilli.

Why do some vaginas smell?

Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It's a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor. A yeast infection usually doesn't cause vaginal odor.

What STD smells like cheese?

Chlamydia or Gonorrhea

While yeast infections produce thick, white, cottage-cheese like discharge, Chlamydia can cause white, green or yellow discharge. Gonorrhea discharge is white or green.

How do you get rid of smelly pus?

Treating pus depends on how serious the infection causing it is. For small abscesses on your skin's surface, applying a wet, warm compress can help drain pus. Apply the compress a few times a day for several minutes. Just make sure you avoid the urge to squeeze the abscess.

Are boils caused by being dirty?

Boils are caused by bacteria, most commonly by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (a staph infection). A lot of people have these bacteria on their skin or – for instance – in the lining of their nostrils, without them causing any problems.

Do armpit boils smell?

The pus that erupts from the boil can be foul-smelling. Draining of the boil may continue for days.