Comedo

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Comedo

Comedo (pronounced: koh-MEE-doh) is a term used in dermatology to describe a type of primary acne lesion. It is the medical term for what is commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead.

Etymology

The term 'comedo' originates from the Latin word 'comedere', which means 'to eat up'. It was first used in the 19th century to describe the blackhead because the condition was thought to be caused by the skin 'eating up' the sebum, or oil, produced by the sebaceous glands.

Definition

A comedo is a clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin. Keratin (skin debris) combines with oil to block the follicle. A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead), and occur with or without acne.

Types of Comedones

There are two main types of comedones:

  • Open comedo (Blackhead): This is a type of comedo that is open at the surface of the skin. The color is due to the oxidation of the sebum and not due to dirt as commonly believed.
  • Closed comedo (Whitehead): This is a type of comedo that is closed by skin. It appears as a small, white bump under the skin and is not oxidized, hence the white color.

Related Terms

  • Acne: A skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Comedones are a primary sign of acne.
  • Sebaceous gland: These are small oil-producing glands present in the skin of mammals. They often go hand in hand with hair follicles, and their blockage is a primary cause of comedones.
  • Keratin: A type of protein that is a key component in skin, hair, and nails. Excess keratin and sebum can block hair follicles, leading to comedones.
  • Dermatology: The branch of medicine dealing with the skin, nails, hair and its diseases. It is a specialty with both medical and surgical aspects.

External links

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