HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Hard White Lumps On The Face?

I am a 27 year old female and have always suffered from some degree of acne, since puberty. I spend a decent amount on skin products, and am basically religious about washing my face at night. About 2 months ago, for about a week, I suffered from severe anxiety which I found solace from by popping every whitehead, blackhead, and squeezing every pore that appeared to have sebum inside. Luckily, I own an aloe plant, which I applied between my shifts of popping and picking myself to death in my bathroom mirror. That, plus lots of neosporin, helped the swelling and sped up healing. At that time, I began to notice a couple (maybe as many as 5, total) hard white bumps on my face. I found that the bumps, unlike any other pimple I have experienced, tend to look like a small whitehead or large milia. When I scrape a nail against them (some softly, others require more force, and a few even have to be squeezed between 2 fingernails) the white part comes off. It leaves behind a downright crater in my skin. These craters don t bleed or puss, (rarely, the larger have a bit of blood tinged clear puss) nor do they have any kind of blackhead or whitehead inside. When makeup is applied to it, it will not stick to the hole, and just slides off onto surrounding skin. I have never had an issue concealing even the most mutilated popped pimple, but these literally seem to magnetically push the makeup out of the hole left behind. I tried MANY kinds of concealer and foundation and found the only solution to wait for it to begin to scab/heal, which takes quite a while (an hour-ish) as there isn t any visible bodily fluid to congeal and harden. Now, about a month later, they have multiplied from a few bumps randomly placed throughout my face, to a covering all over, mainly clumped together in groups on seemingly random areas of facial skin. I first noticed one or two of them on certain areas, like directly above my eyebrows (close to, but not on, my temples.) I haven t experienced more than an occasional random breakout in that spot. I also don t have hair that touches the area, nor do I find myself regularly touching any of the inflicted areas with my hands or cell phone, or any other likely acne culprit. The bumps are also popping up around the blackheads/clogged pores on the area below the sides of my mouth, above my chin. Despite not having picked at them in over 3 weeks, these things have multiplied. The areas above my eyebrows are totally covered. I have government funded health insurance, and unless there is a medical necessity, a dermatologist visit is highly unlikely for me. Internet searches only turn up answers like acne and milia , but I have years of experience with both of those, and this seems to be totally different from my past skin issues. My final piece of information, which I hope beyond hope isn t at all related, is that I also have, in this same time period, diagnosed myself with athletes foot. I am a waitress and go through periods when the skin on my feet, and especially my toes, peels in large (for lack of a gentler word) chunks. I never thought twice about using nail clippers on the peeling skin, and unfortunately and disgustingly, sometimes mindlessly pick at it while reading. My husband often has athletes foot and he mentioned my likely case of it, which I may have had for who knows how long. I m sure there have been times I touched my feet without thinking and then touched other skin (even my face...) I cringe at the idea that I have introduced athletes foot to my facial skin, which I have spent thousands of dollars and hours of time trying to make at least appear healthy and smooth. I know I have gone into ridiculous detail for a seemingly small issue, but I am extremely embarrassed and self conscious about my skin problems. I thought by 27 I d have outgrown acne, which I haven t, and now I have yet another skin condition that I can t seem to do anything about. I hope there are solutions, or at least some answers, out there, so I can get some peace of mind.
Fri, 18 Oct 2019
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Milia are small white bumps that appear on the skin. They're usually grouped together on the nose, cheeks, and chin, though they may appear elsewhere. They develop when skin flakes become trapped under the surface of the skin or when keratin builds up and gets trapped.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Hard White Lumps On The Face?

Hello, Milia are small white bumps that appear on the skin. They re usually grouped together on the nose, cheeks, and chin, though they may appear elsewhere. They develop when skin flakes become trapped under the surface of the skin or when keratin builds up and gets trapped. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician