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Comedones

Skin bumps - acne-like; Acne-like skin bumps; Whiteheads; Blackheads

 

Comedones are small, flesh-colored, white, or dark bumps that give skin a rough texture. The bumps are one type of acne. They are found at the opening of skin pores. A solid core can often be seen in the middle of the small bump. Comedones are called open or closed based on whether the surface is disrupted (open) or intact (closed). Open comedones are blackheads and closed comedones are whiteheads.

 

Open References

References

Dinulos JGH. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Acne. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach, MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 13.

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  • Acne - close-up of pustular lesions

    Acne - close-up of pustular lesions

    illustration

  • Blackheads (comedones)

    Blackheads (comedones)

    illustration

  • Blackheads (comedones) close-up

    Blackheads (comedones) close-up

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the chest

    Acne - cystic on the chest

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the face

    Acne - cystic on the face

    illustration

  • Acne - vulgaris on the back

    Acne - vulgaris on the back

    illustration

  • Acne - close-up of cysts on the back

    Acne - close-up of cysts on the back

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the back

    Acne - cystic on the back

    illustration

  • Acne - close-up of pustular lesions

    Acne - close-up of pustular lesions

    illustration

  • Blackheads (comedones)

    Blackheads (comedones)

    illustration

  • Blackheads (comedones) close-up

    Blackheads (comedones) close-up

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the chest

    Acne - cystic on the chest

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the face

    Acne - cystic on the face

    illustration

  • Acne - vulgaris on the back

    Acne - vulgaris on the back

    illustration

  • Acne - close-up of cysts on the back

    Acne - close-up of cysts on the back

    illustration

  • Acne - cystic on the back

    Acne - cystic on the back

    illustration

 

Review Date: 10/20/2022

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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