What is the white, thread-like substance that comes out when squeezing acne?
Disease description:
I’ve had some itching on my face lately and noticed small white cysts surrounded by redness and swelling. When squeezed, they release white, thread-like material. What could this be?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Lingjuan
Squeezing white, thread-like material from acne lesions suggests the presence of closed comedones (whiteheads). This is a chronic skin disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit, commonly caused by follicular obstruction. It manifests as small, white papules on the skin surface—hence the term “closed comedone.” Specifically, it results from accumulation and blockage of keratinocytes in the infundibulum of the hair follicle, filled with keratinous debris and sebum, forming a white, keratinized papule. The lesion is covered by epidermis and is not open to the external environment, thus constituting a closed comedone.
