How do you drain pus from lymph nodes?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to medical experts, attempting to drain pus from lymph nodes at home is highly dangerous and can lead to severe complications, including deeper infections and sepsis. This authoritative guide explains the professional medical procedures and necessary precautions for how you drain pus from lymph nodes safely.

Quick Summary

Draining pus from an infected lymph node is a medical procedure known as incision and drainage, and it must be performed by a healthcare professional in a sterile environment. Attempting to pop or squeeze a lymph node at home can spread the infection, cause internal bleeding, and worsen the condition.

Key Points

Professional Drainage Required: Draining pus from lymph nodes must be done by a healthcare professional through a procedure called Incision and Drainage (I&D).
Do Not Attempt At Home: Squeezing or puncturing an abscessed lymph node at home is extremely dangerous, as it can spread the infection, cause bleeding, and lead to serious complications like sepsis.
When to See a Doctor: Medical attention is necessary if a swollen lymph node is larger than a half-inch, painful, red, or accompanied by a fever or chills.
Supportive Home Care: While awaiting medical care, a warm compress can help reduce discomfort and increase blood flow, but it will not drain the pus.
Post-Drainage Care: After professional drainage, the area may be packed to ensure proper healing, and a course of antibiotics is typically prescribed to clear the infection.
Accurate Diagnosis is Key: During an I&D procedure, a pus sample is often cultured to identify the specific bacteria, allowing for targeted and effective antibiotic treatment.

Understanding the Abscess

An abscessed lymph node, or lymphadenitis, is a pocket of pus that forms within a lymph node as a response to a bacterial infection. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in filtering pathogens from the body. When an infection overwhelms a lymph node, it can become swollen, tender, and filled with pus. This condition requires careful medical management to prevent the infection from spreading to other tissues or entering the bloodstream.

Why At-Home Drainage is Dangerous

Many people are tempted to treat a pus-filled lump like a pimple, but this is a serious mistake. A lymph node is not a superficial skin infection. It is a part of a larger, systemic network.

Risk of spreading infection: Squeezing or puncturing an abscess can rupture the pus pocket internally, forcing the bacteria into deeper tissues or the bloodstream. This can lead to a more widespread infection, such as cellulitis, or a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
Damage to surrounding tissues: Attempting to drain a lymph node manually can damage delicate blood vessels and nerve endings located near the node, leading to severe bleeding, pain, and potential nerve damage.
Incomplete drainage: Without proper surgical technique, it is nearly impossible to completely drain the abscess. Leaving any infected material behind means the infection is likely to recur or continue to fester.
Risk of contamination: An at-home procedure cannot be done in a sterile environment. Introducing new bacteria from unsterile instruments or hands can worsen the existing infection.

The Incision and Drainage (I&D) Procedure

For a lymph node abscess, a healthcare provider will typically perform an Incision and Drainage (I&D) procedure. This is a minor surgery done under sterile conditions. The specific method depends on the location and depth of the abscess.

Anesthesia: The doctor will numb the area around the abscess with a local anesthetic to minimize pain. For deep or complex abscesses, general anesthesia in a hospital setting may be required.
Incision: A small incision is made in the skin over the abscess to allow the pus to drain.
Draining and Cleaning: The pus is fully drained, and the cavity is flushed with a sterile saline solution to ensure all infected material is removed.
Packing: A piece of sterile packing material may be inserted into the wound to allow for continued drainage as it heals from the inside out. The packing is changed regularly during follow-up visits.
Antibiotics: A sample of the pus is often sent to a lab to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate oral antibiotics, which must be taken for the full course, even if symptoms improve.

When to See a Doctor

It is essential to seek professional medical help if you suspect an infected lymph node. Look for the following signs that indicate you need medical attention:

The lump is larger than a half-inch across and is growing.
The skin over the node is red, hot, and tender.
You have a fever or experience chills.
The node is draining pus on its own.
You experience trouble breathing or swallowing due to the swelling.
The swelling does not improve with conservative care, such as warm compresses, after a few days.

Comparative Table: Home vs. Medical Treatment


Feature	At-Home Drainage	Professional Medical Treatment
Procedure	Squeezing, poking, or lancing with unsterile tools.	Sterile Incision and Drainage (I&D) performed by a healthcare professional.
Safety	Extremely high risk of complications, including infection spread, bleeding, and sepsis.	Performed under sterile conditions by trained personnel, minimizing risks.
Effectiveness	Often ineffective, leading to incomplete drainage and recurrence of infection.	Ensures complete drainage and proper healing from the inside out.
Pain Management	Uncontrolled pain and high risk of tissue damage.	Local anesthesia minimizes pain during the procedure.
Diagnosis	No diagnostic information is gathered.	Pus is sent for culture to identify the specific bacteria and guide antibiotic treatment.
Healing	Risky and unpredictable healing process, high potential for scarring.	Controlled healing with proper wound care, typically resulting in a full recovery.

Supportive Care at Home (while awaiting medical attention)

While you should never attempt to drain the pus yourself, there are a few home care measures you can take to manage symptoms and reduce discomfort until you see a doctor.

Warm Compresses: Apply a warm, moist compress to the affected area for 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day. This can increase blood flow to the area and promote natural healing, but will not drain the abscess.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and reduce fever.
Rest and Hydration: Getting adequate rest and drinking plenty of fluids supports your body's immune response and helps fight the infection.

Conclusion

While a pus-filled lymph node can be alarming, it is crucial to avoid self-treatment. Proper medical intervention is the only safe and effective way to drain an abscess and treat the underlying infection. Home remedies can provide temporary relief from discomfort but are not a substitute for professional medical care. If you experience a painful, swollen lymph node, especially with signs of infection like redness or fever, consult a healthcare provider promptly to ensure a safe and complete recovery.

For more in-depth information about the lymphatic system and its function, consider reviewing reliable health resources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should never pop a pus-filled lymph node because it is not a simple pimple. Lymph nodes are deep within your body's lymphatic system, and attempting to force drainage can push the infection deeper, causing it to spread throughout your body and potentially leading to serious complications like a bloodstream infection (sepsis).

The medical procedure is called Incision and Drainage (I&D). A healthcare provider makes a small incision, drains the pus, cleans the cavity, and may pack it with sterile material to allow it to heal properly. This is performed in a sterile environment to prevent further infection.

No, a warm compress cannot drain pus from a lymph node. While it can help reduce some swelling and discomfort by increasing blood flow to the area, it is not a substitute for professional medical drainage. Applying heat does not remove the infected material.

Signs of a lymph node abscess include the node becoming very painful, red, and warm to the touch. You may also experience a fever. If it is draining pus on its own, it is a clear sign of an abscess.

An untreated lymph node abscess can continue to grow and potentially rupture, spreading the infection to other tissues or the bloodstream. This can lead to more serious conditions and will likely require more intensive medical treatment.

Antibiotics alone are often not enough to cure an abscessed lymph node. The thick pus pocket acts as a barrier, preventing the antibiotics from effectively reaching the bacteria. Draining the abscess is usually a necessary step for successful treatment.

Healing time varies depending on the size and location of the abscess. The packing is typically removed within a week, and the wound continues to heal from the inside out. With the right antibiotic treatment, most people feel significantly better immediately after drainage and make a full recovery.