Comedones

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Comedones

Comedones (pronunciation: /kɒmɪˈdoʊniːz/) are a type of acne characterized by the presence of blackheads or whiteheads. The term "comedo" is derived from the Latin word "comedere" which means "to eat up".

Etymology

The term "comedo" was first used in the 19th century by dermatologists to describe acne lesions. It is derived from the Latin word "comedere" which means "to eat up". This is in reference to the way the lesion "eats up" the skin, causing a visible bump or blackhead.

Types of Comedones

There are two main types of comedones:

  • Open comedones (blackheads): These are comedones that are open at the surface of the skin. They appear black due to the oxidation of the sebum (oil) and dead skin cells in the pore.
  • Closed comedones (whiteheads): These are comedones that are closed off from the skin's surface. They appear white or skin-colored because the sebum and dead skin cells are trapped below the skin's surface.

Causes

Comedones are caused by the blockage of the hair follicle by sebum and dead skin cells. This can be due to a variety of factors including hormonal changes, certain medications, and the use of heavy or oily makeup.

Treatment

Treatment for comedones typically involves the use of topical treatments such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. In some cases, a dermatologist may perform a procedure known as comedo extraction to remove the blockage.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski