What is the hard ball in a pimple?

The hard ball that you may feel inside a pimple is called a pustule or a cyst. A pustule forms when the clogged pore under your skin becomes inflamed and fills with pus. The pus consists of dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammatory substances produced by your immune system to fight the infection. The pus collects under the skin and forms a white or yellowish dome or ball.

What causes a pimple to form?

Pimples form when a pore (opening in the skin) gets clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This clogs up the pore and causes inflammation. The inflammation results in the pore swelling up and forming a bump. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how pimples form:

Your skin’s pores connect to oil glands under the skin called sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates and protects your skin.
The glands and pores can become blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
When the opening is blocked, sebum gets trapped inside. The bacteria stuck inside the clogged pore start rapidly multiplying, causing surrounding skin inflammation.

As the pore swells up, it ruptures the follicle wall. This spills all the contents into nearby skin tissue, creating a bump we know as a pimple.

So in summary, the hard ball forms when the blocked pore becomes increasingly inflamed and fills with pus. If the pimple is “popped”, the pus comes spilling out through the broken follicle wall.

What is inside a pimple?

Here are the main components found inside a pimple:

Pus – Pus is made up of oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and white blood cells. The white blood cells rush to the site to kill bacteria but end up dying themselves, forming the thick, yellow-white substance.
Sebum – This is the natural oil secreted by the sebaceous glands. Excess oil production can clog pores.
Bacteria – The most common bacteria found inside pimples are Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. They trigger inflammation.

Skin cells – Dead skin cells can stick together and clog pores, causing blockages.
Hardened sebum – Sometimes the sebum in clogged pores can dry out and harden into a plug.

So in summary, the main contents are pus, excess oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and sometimes dried sebum. These contents fill up the pore and cause it to swell and become tender.

What does a developing pimple look like under the skin?

Here are the main steps of what’s happening underneath the skin as a pimple forms:

The pore becomes clogged with a mixture of sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
The walls of the hair follicle start swelling up due to inflammation. White blood cells arrive to fight the bacteria.

The inflamed follicle starts leaking fluid containing white blood cells, bacteria, and sebum. This initial stage is called a microcomedone.
The leakage accumulates in the dermis (lower layer of skin), forming a small, tender bump. This is called a papule.
The inflamed bump continues to grow and fills with pus, becoming a pustule (pimple). It looks like a white-yellow dome under the skin surface.

Finally the pimple may burst when the pustule wall ruptures. This spills out the pus and bacteria through the pore opening.

So in the earliest stages, a developing pimple will look like a small tender bump under the surface of the skin. It slowly gets bigger and more swollen as pus accumulates inside the inflamed follicle walls, eventually forming a protruding pustule.

What makes a pimple so hard?

There are a few reasons why pimples tend to feel hard and solid to the touch:

Pus has a thick, sticky consistency that forms a firm mass when contained in the skin.
Inflamed skin and swollen tissue surrounding the pustule makes it feel harder.
A plug of dried sebum and dead skin cells can create a hard “cap” at the top of the pimple.

The wall of the inflamed follicle hardens and creates a firm bump under the skin.
Bacteria and inflammatory substances stimulate more blood flow, causing the area to feel engorged.

Additionally, cystic acne which forms deep under the skin can feel extremely firm and hard. These pimples are walled off in a sac of hardened tissue below the skin.

So in summary, the combination of pus, swollen tissue, dried sebum, and a rigid follicle wall all contribute to the hardness. The inflammation makes it feel like a hard lump embedded inside the skin.

How to get rid of the hard ball in a pimple

It’s best not to try popping or squeezing a hard pimple. This can lead to more swelling, push bacteria deeper, cause scarring, and spread infection. Instead, try these methods:

Warm compresses – Apply a warm washcloth to the pimple for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a day to encourage it to drain naturally.

Acne cream – Look for products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to reduce bacteria and inflammation.
Hydrocolloid patch – These small bandages can help draw out pus overnight.
Retinoid cream – Medications like tretinoin can unplug follicles and prevent hardened sebum.

Aspirin paste – Making a paste with crushed aspirin and applying it to the pimple may help it drain.
Tea tree oil – Its antimicrobial properties may help reduce pimple swelling and hardness.
See a dermatologist – For stubborn, painful cysts, a series of cortisone injections can help shrink them.

With patience and consistency using some of these remedies, the hard ball inside the pimple should gradually soften and drain out on its own within a few days.

Are hard pimples more likely to scar?

There are a few reasons why pimples that feel hard and firm are more prone to leaving scars:

Thick pus and sebum trapped deep in the skin creates pressure, damaging surrounding tissue.

Rupturing the skin surface from squeezing can cause an opening for bacteria.
Picking and digging at the hard bump is more likely to injure the skin.
Cystic acne with very hard bumps under the skin can cause pitted scarring when healed.

Inflammation from hard pimples goes deeper into the dermis layer.
They take longer to resolve, so the inflammation persists longer.

Scars form when there is injury to the deeper layers of the skin during the body’s wound healing process. Overall, it’s ideal to avoid squeezing and picking at pimples to limit the chances of scarring.

When to see a dermatologist

Make an appointment with a dermatologist if you experience:

Hard bumps that don’t improve with over-the-counter remedies after 1-2 weeks
Large, painful cysts under your skin that keep refilling with pus

Pimples leaving dark marks or pitted scars after healing
Frequent blemishes that are red, swollen, and tender
Discomfort, pain, or inflammation that doesn’t go away

A dermatologist can prescribe clinical-grade treatments like retinoids, anti-inflammatory creams, antimicrobial washes, cortisone shots, laser therapy, and chemical peels to prevent and treat deep, hardened pimples. Early treatment can help minimize scarring.

Home remedies and treatment for hard pimples

You can try these at-home remedies to help reduce swelling, soften the hardened pus plug, and improve hard pimples:

Warm compress

Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it on the pimple for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a day.

The warmth helps open the pore, soften the hardened sebum plug, and draw the pus to the surface.

Hydrocolloid patch

These small dotted bandages can be applied over the pimple at night.
They absorb fluid from the pimple and promote healing.

Tea tree oil

Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil and dab it on the pimple 2 times a day.
It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to fight bacteria and reduce swelling.

Aspirin paste

Crush an aspirin tablet and make a paste by adding a few drops of water.

Apply on the pimple for 20 minutes to help draw out inflammation and pus.

Green clay mask

Apply a thin layer of green clay mask to the pimple and leave on for 15 minutes.
It can help draw out impurities from the skin and reduce inflammation.

Prescription treatments

For severe or cystic acne, see a dermatologist for prescription treatments like:

Topical retinoids to unplug follicles and prevent hardened sebum
Oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria deep in the skin

Isotretinoin pills to lower sebum production
Cortisone injections to rapidly shrink large cysts
Laser or light therapy to kill acne bacteria

Risk factors for developing hard pimples

Certain factors can increase your likelihood of getting firm, painful pimples:

Excessive sebum production, which is common during puberty
Hormonal changes like those during menstruation or pregnancy

High stress levels which can trigger inflammation
Medications like corticosteroids, testosterone, or lithium
Greasy cosmetics, heavy creams, or pore-clogging hair products

Friction from headbands, helmets, or backpacks rubbing on the skin
High-glycemic diet with lots of refined carbs

Genetics can also play a role, as some people are just prone to blocked pores and oily skin. Being attentive to skincare and avoiding known acne triggers can help prevent chronic or cystic pimple outbreaks.

Can you pop a hard pimple?

It’s best not to try popping or squeezing a hard pimple. Forcing the clogged contents out this way can make it worse and lead to:

Further irritation and inflammation
Damage to the surrounding skin, increasing scarring risk

Spreading bacteria deeper into the skin, causing more cysts
Persistent swelling and tenderness
Skin darkening and discoloration

Infection if popped unsterilely with dirty fingers or tools

Dermatologists advise letting a firm pimple resolve on its own. Try warm compresses and medicated acne creams instead. If those aren’t working after a couple weeks, see your dermatologist to discuss treatment options.

Can hard pimples turn into cysts?

Yes, pimples that feel hard and sore under the skin can develop into more severe lesions called cysts. Here’s how:

The clogged follicle keeps accumulating skin oils, bacteria, and dead cells.
Inflammation and swelling increases as white blood cells arrive to combat bacteria.
The hair follicle walls rupture, spilling everything into nearby tissues.

Your body encases the spilled debris in a cyst lined with hardened tissue.
The lump grows larger and more painful as the cyst becomes engorged.

Cysts are a form of chronic, inflammatory acne. They feel like large, tender bumps under the skin and are filled with pus. Cysts can lead to scarring if not treated, so see a dermatologist promptly if your pimples are transforming into cysts.

Tips for prevention

You can help prevent hard, painful pimples using these tips:

Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser to remove oil.
Use oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup and sunscreen.

Shampoo regularly if you have oily hair.
Avoid touching or picking at your face.
Use acne medication like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.

Take antibiotics if prescribed by your dermatologist.
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to unclog pores.
Reduce stress through relaxation techniques.

Seeing a dermatologist to identify your acne triggers is important too. With a solid skin care routine, you can help keep hard, painful breakouts to a minimum.

Conclusion

The hard lump inside a pimple is called a pustule, which contains pus and dead skin cells. It forms when excess oil, bacteria, and debris get trapped deep in a clogged hair follicle. The surrounding inflammation makes it feel firm and tender. Picking at hard pimples can make them worse and increase scarring. Using warm compresses, acne creams, hydrocolloid patches, and seeing a dermatologist for severe cases can help. With diligent skincare and avoiding pimple triggers, these solid, painful bumps can be limited.