whitehead

A whitehead is that little white or slightly yellow bump you may notice on your skin. It is a common type of acne. It happens when oil and dead skin cells get trapped inside a pore and the top of the pore stays closed. Unlike a blackhead, it is not open to the air, so it stays pale instead of turning dark. These bumps often show up on the nose, chin, and forehead. They are usually harmless and can often be treated with store-bought skin products. Think of it as a tiny traffic jam under the skin.

A whitehead is a small, flesh-colored, white, or slightly yellow bump on the skin caused by a clogged pore. It is a common form of acne that develops when dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and sometimes bacteria become trapped inside a pore. The main difference between a whitehead and a blackhead is whether the pore is open or closed. A whitehead forms when the skin stays closed over the blockage, so the trapped material does not react with the air and turn dark like a blackhead.

You will often find them in areas with many oil glands, such as the nose, chin, and forehead (the "T-zone"), but they can appear on other parts of the body too. Even though it may be tempting, squeezing them is usually not a good idea because it can lead to redness, swelling, scarring, or infection.

The medical term for this kind of bump is a "closed comedo." It is usually mild and can often be treated with creams or washes that contain ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If it keeps coming back or gets worse, a skin doctor may suggest stronger treatment. So if you spot one, think of it as a tiny pore that needs a little help getting back to normal.