Which lesion is a plugged sebaceous gland that is typically a small papule with no inflammation?

Which lesion is a plugged sebaceous gland that is typically a small papule with no inflammation?

• A. Whitehead
• B. Blackhead
• C. Milia
• D. Steatoma

Answer: (A)

A whitehead is a closed comedo formed when a pore becomes plugged with sebum and keratin but the opening remains closed. Because the pore stays beneath the skin, the accumulated material appears as a small, pale papule with no inflammation or redness. The lack of exposed air means you don’t see the dark color that characterizes open comedones. In contrast, a blackhead is an open comedo where the plug is visible at the surface and oxidizes, giving a dark appearance though the surrounding tissue isn’t inflamed. Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts that occur just under the skin, not from a plugged sebaceous gland, and Steatoma refers to a sebaceous cyst which is typically larger and not described as a small, noninflammatory papule.

A whitehead is a closed comedo formed when a pore becomes plugged with sebum and keratin but the opening remains closed. Because the pore stays beneath the skin, the accumulated material appears as a small, pale papule with no inflammation or redness. The lack of exposed air means you don’t see the dark color that characterizes open comedones.

In contrast, a blackhead is an open comedo where the plug is visible at the surface and oxidizes, giving a dark appearance though the surrounding tissue isn’t inflamed. Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts that occur just under the skin, not from a plugged sebaceous gland, and Steatoma refers to a sebaceous cyst which is typically larger and not described as a small, noninflammatory papule.