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Yuuki , 19 Apr 2011

What are these things??

Warning: sorry, this post is very graphic, please DON'T READ if you're easily triggered! I'm prone to hormonal acne, I usually pick at my face (especially blemishes on cheeks and chin) and dig out ingrown hair from in between my eyebrows. As a result my face is often swollen and red, I have fresh wounds, scabs, plus many red / brown spots and scars. So yeah, basically I look like sh*t most of the time, I guess if only I'd manage to really STOP picking for like 2 weeks, my skin will probably clear up and look even better, but I'm still working on this goal. Anyway, lately all the blemishes I'm getting are some very weird small spots around my smile lines, jaw and in between eyebrows. They don't hurt and don't seem to go away on their own. If I manage to squeeze them usually they just grow back after a while, over and over again. They look VERY deep, like whiteheads under the surface of the skin. I'm sure they're not milia, cause milia are very close to the surface, while these spots are under layers of skin. The skin over them isn't smooth, they look slightly bumpy, which of course makes me crazy! When I squeeze them, sometimes they get out easily: the content is white and very runny, almost liquid, and exits from many pores nearby. Other times I have to take my tweezers and dig them out, which is very hard because they're so deep rooted! These ones look more solid, like a white embedded core of sebum or something. I didn't get these things 1 year ago, what in earth could they be?! Cysts? Clogged pores? Hair follicles? Underground scar tissue? Collagen? Do you get them too? My dermatologist said she didn't know and to use Differin cause they're "just pimples". ---> totally NOT! Pimples, blackheads and whiteheads look different and surface after a while. I'm afraid I might have damaged my pores so much they've scarred all over, so the sebum stays trapped inside. :( I feel sad and hopeless, like I've mutilated myself. If only this could be a wakeup call for me to never pick again!!
27 Answers
PazzoBella
April 19, 2011
Hey! I read your entry and I think I might be able to help. What you are describing sounds A LOT like what I had 4-5 years ago. I had tiny little bumps that looked like really deep whiteheads under the surface and every time I picked at them they would just resurface in the exact same spot as before. I used OVC acne medications and cleansers but nothing seemed to help. Finally, I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist and she informed me that I had a viral infection on my face she called "flat warts". She told me that I had two options, she could either freeze them/burn them off or prescribe me retin-a micro. I had her try both methods. She burned/froze the ones on the side of my face where they wouldn't be as noticeable and I used the retin-a micro for the rest of my face. IT WORKED! Within 2 weeks my face was cleared of those pesky little bumps :) Too bad it didn't help with my picking obsession- but I'm working really hard on that too. I really hope this helps and if you'd like PLEASE keep me posted b/c I know EXACTLY what you're going through and I'd love to be here and support you through it :)
Yuuki
April 19, 2011

In reply to by PazzoBella

Wow, thank you so much for your post! :) I don't know if I have flat warts, I've searched on google and they don't seem exactly like what I have, although in 2 pics they might be similar. But at least I have an idea... and now I know I have to find another dermatologist! This one didn't even look at me, she simply prescribed Differin (which didn't so much, btw) and told me "just stop picking!" (--> right, like I didn't know!!) and that "it's all in your mind". Jeez... I know dermatillomania is a mental thing, but I'm not this crazy! Unfortunately it's pretty hard to find a good dermatologist here, most of them just don't care. -_- I really hope one day I could definitely stop picking and get rid of this bumps. I'll let you know if I manage. Thank you for your support, take care! :*
PazzoBella
April 20, 2011

In reply to by Yuuki

Anytime! I'm really sorry to hear about the dermatologists in your area... It's terrible when doctors who are supposed to help people don't ACTUALLY care about their patients and they're only in it for the paycheck. I was fortunate that the dermatologist I had cared enough to help me and that it didn't take multiple visits for her to diagnose and treat the problem. I remember thinking to myself, "if the dermatologist doesn't know what I have and/or can't treat my skin condition and make it better, I might just breakdown and lose it right then and there." Thank goodness that wasn't the case b/c I had already been dealing with it for 2 YEARS at that point and I didn't want to go through another day, week, month, or year of suffering. I really hope you find a reputable dermatologist who can help and treat the skin issues you've been experiencing. None of us are crazy and we KNOW when something isn't right with OUR skin. Stay positive and good things will come! :)
Yuuki
April 20, 2011

In reply to by PazzoBella

Thanks, I hope so! :) Yesterday I felt pretty shitty all day, very sad and nervous. I know it's just because my period has started. Hormones can really wreak havoc on my mind and body... I hate pcos so much! On a positive note, today is day 2 and my face looks a lot better already. I have only a few scabs right now and the redness has subsided. My hubby is being very sweet and supportive and cuddling me all the times. I hope I'll manage to stay strong!!
PazzoBella
April 21, 2011

In reply to by Yuuki

I hear ya! Mine started yesterday as well- ugh! :( I will say that the first 2 days were the hardest for me thus far- I cried all day both days and was an emotional wreck (partial PMS and the other half was just the realization that I had a disorder I never even heard of, or even knew about, sinking in). Today has been so much easier though. I'm focusing all of my energy into taking care of my 7-month-old daughter, working out, and keeping the house clean (I'm a stay at home mom by the way). My daughter was another motivational factor in wanting to quit. I want to kick this habit before she's old enough to realize what I've been doing to myself and to my skin. I NEVER want her to look at me and think that what I've been doing is ok. It would kill me if I ever saw her picking at her skin, and worse, if she ever started doing it simply b/c she had seen me doing it. I'm so happy to hear that your "hubby" is taking care of you and being so supportive :) What I've realized through all of this is you know you have a good guy when you can open up about something so private that you never wanted anyone ever knowing about out of fear that they might reject you, but he surprises you, and instead embraces you and supports you through one of the hardest challenges you'll ever have to face (hopefully) in your lifetime. So just embrace him and his love back and know that you CAN stay strong and WILL get through this! :)
virgolikesyou
April 21, 2011

In reply to by PazzoBella

I just recently started taking st johns wart and some pills with Kava root in it. This has helped me with feeling frantic and I have been able to tone down the picking a little bit. Consider this because apparently we pickers are super anxious. My Aunty opened my eyes to how anxious I am the other day by describing to me how I was telling her about my classes and how stressed I am. I didn't even realize how I seem to other people, and she said this is called anxiety. Even tho it doesn't seem like I am.. but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. Anyways, just consider it and take every vitamin that you know is good for your skin like B,D and fish oil and anything else. If I am going to have an obsession, I would rather it be taking too many vitamins then picking my skin raw. And the self-medicating anxiety pills won't hurt you, just help you feel calmer about life. Good luck!!! <3
yoldashh
December 21, 2011
i am a male 24.i have exactly same experience you having..my skin is prone to acne and i never had this kind of terrible skin before,i used to have acne and pimples but never had this whiteheads and lots of white sebum under my skin.and although i usedto pick but never had scars. here what went wrong,i went to harley medical group and told them that i had acne problem,they said no problem and prescribed 6 peels and gave mea salcylic acid wash .well after2 months my skin got dry and i couldnt go out in cold as my skin became sensitive. now after 2 years my skin is ruined.and all dry sebum and everything is trapped .it looks completly different and worst in day light.and i had whiteheads which doesnt go away. i spent more than 2000£ in harrods on all face wash .none of them helped apart from sisley buff and wash 65£.but even that didnt help much ,lets say it helped 10%. then i stopped spending money and went to see dermatologist ,she didnt care but i really wanted to try accutane,and she prescribed me,and it stopped those occasionaal cysts i used to get.(i never used to have cysts in my 20 years life before).well any way accutane started working litle bit,and i ad it for 1 month.and then i gave ita break and tried glycolic acid lotion,i saw little bit difference,and then i ordered 30% glycolic acid peel,massive difference and it helped clear about 80% of the whiteheads,but itssss toooo dangerous.i still have 2 marks on my face smaller dark spots coz i burnt my skin little bit and was not suppose to apply glycolic peel on my skin till 6 months after accutane.but i was desperate.any way please try to wash with glycolic acid wash peter thomas roth something.you will see the trapped cells being cleared,not all but i think thats the best ,and once you see improvement go for a peel glycolic acid.glycolic acid burns teh top layer and breaks the glue which holds that fukin trapped whiteheads all over your face. now i have started my accutane again for 1 month and not gonna use glycolic acid any more its too dangerous,and will let you know after 1 month wat happened,but trust me the thing you explained no dermatologist will understand.and please dont go to steam.people say that bu trust me it will make it worst as i think we bought messed up our pores. God bless you and be strong.
charming
March 10, 2014
I have recently been using the tip of a Swiss army knife (blunt side) to press out blackheads on my nose. Of course after spending too much time (wearing two pairs of glasses for better magnification) I started noticing that I could get at whiteheads that seemed to be embedded, or that seemed to recur. Lately, for the last 10 days, I have been digging in an area where the nose meets the skin around it. I have found some of the hard white columns embedded deep in the skin. After digging them out, I wipe thoroughly with cotton swap and antiseptic. I've had no inflamation. The next day I go at it again. I've noticed these "whitehead" columns seem to go into the skin at least 1/8th of an inch. They are actually quite hard, somewhat shiny and definately bright white.
penny21
March 10, 2014

In reply to by charming

These tiny white bumps are the reason i started picking at about 14 i didbt have any avne but has theae tiny white bumps under my skin. And i use to squeeze them out. Now i have mild acne and those white bumps have not gone away. You can sqeese them all you want but they will allways come back. So there is no point squeezing them and rewening your face Iv learnt the hard way. Dont get me wrong i still squeese now and then but i stop my self now and dont end up in a trance no more x
charming
March 29, 2014

In reply to by penny21

So it is 20 days later and I have been cutting and digging in the same spot over and over. It would heal over night, but by the time I got home from work the next day I just couldn't resist. I haven't picked at it for 24 hours, sort of. Actually I still pick at it but I haven't re-opened the sore to dig those stupid white things out. I am still convinced they are decades old whiteheads that have become embedded in the layeers of skin, and the only way to get rid of them is to dig deep.
charming
February 28, 2015

In reply to by charming

I have moved to the tip of my nose now. Still using the dull side of the Swiss Army knife blade. If I put the tip right at the edge of a blackhead..out it comes, but sometimes I find more. Like what appears to be a blackhead, but white, and just below the surface. So I scrape a bit of skin away to expose it. then I leave it alone till the next day. Then press a little harder. Eventually the white center is exposed and then I can start digging. But I always leave it to rest a day in between. Then pick off the scab and dig a little deeper, till eventually I can isolate these white things. They are all the same: ivory white, solid and deep. I thought I had left it alone for a few days, but tonight I was able to press out more, and then of course I had to pick into it again. These things can go 1/4" deep!

spottyface1
April 01, 2014

In reply to by charming

Hi Charming, I know exactly what you are talking about...I have those too. I believe that it's a yeast fungus. I started using a 10 percent sulfur ointment and it has really helped my spots. I knew that my spots were not typical pimples, and antibiotics made them so much worse! I also suspected that demodex might be an issue as well. Antifungal creams help, but sulfur is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasite, which is why it is used to treat so many different skin problems. I bought a sulfur and zinc bar soap and the sulfur ointment at amazon. I hope this information helps you!
quietearth
June 01, 2014

In reply to by charming

Does anybody actually know what the hell these things are? This is the only forum that has described something like what I have, and I know it is soo gross but...I took a picture of one, hoping that someone out there can tell me definitively what they are and why am I getting them? As well as hopefully how I can get rid of them gently, instead of digging them out of my face! This is the URL for photo: pho.to/5q5j3 Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
WWWTTTFFF
July 10, 2016

In reply to by quietearth

It's the sack of whatever there called from the dead cells and follicles that a blackhead has collected over time I guess and is actually hiding under neath the dead skin and crap and it it
can spread around your face but it may still be from one main blackhead even though there are several even maybe a dozen blackheads in the general area once you have scraped all of the hard dried oil and shit off the top of the blackhead in charge you can gently push all of those seed looking things and there not pimples if your careful they will come out in one dark red disguting looking sack kinda looks like a soft sack of little guts I guess ? But it's nothing like a normal blackhead butthe shit yoyour seeing on your skin is exactly what comes out . If it doesn't come out in one sack then its very painful to remove but you just keep scraping and scraping that shit out until it stops and that's usually when it stops bleeding and when you finally get to the actual blackhead under all the layers you'll know because it will start bleeding like you just hit an arterie . But if you give it about a minute and don't wope the blood because it's actually the sack I mentioned earlier. After what seems like forever you'll see a drop of blood pop up and run down your cheek then the sack will be free from the whole and if your lucky its only one . I have pulled about six out of one whole and in a pile it could probably be about the size of a small gumball I guess but it's mushy shit . And when it dries it's as hard as wood ! Lol so this is what I think you guys might be talking about I never had anything like it before that I noticed but I did have some spots on my face that I thought were scars but actually are embedded blackheads and the scarring I thought I had is all the dead skin ftom the original blackhead that has spread . So im still working on my face I started having this crap pop up after I was working in an attic for a couple days last summer . I was replacing some duct work and it was hot and the insullation and fine dust vkt into my pores on my face and a little on my arms . I just noticed one on my left forearm a couple days ago because it had the same spongie like look as my face does where the bumps are. But anyways I did have insullation in my face and my face did break out because the it was coming out of my skin almost felt like a sticker in your finger or splinter so after that mess I finally thought i was done with the face thing , but that's when I first started getting like a swollen bump on my face almost like a bad spider bite or a punch lol one on my cheekbone below my left eye another time my lip where I had a scar from an old accident under my lip where I had bitten my jaw when I was younger. Well what im getting at is that these spots were perfect places for a blackhead to hide and grow with out really being noticed or maybe just rapidly growing over the year . But those spots had really big and multiple blackeads one above my eye and under my lip are still there but almost gotten rid of but still haven't got to the main blackhead lol I noticed that when im dehydrated or don't drink enough waterlike eeveryone says is when I notice all the bumps but I also have lost about twenty pounds and a lot of inches on my face and everywhere else, so I think that's one of the reasons I even noticed mine . Well anyways hopefully all of yours are just small and easy to rectify . I let my skin heal up and it would look fine for a month or so but then I would start breaking out just in little clusters which were actually the
Sacks of seeds that I wasn't aware of at the time so I thought it was from the fiberglass dust or whatever. Finally read something online about a month ago and knew that's wwwtttfff I had and slowly but surely am getting rid of it . Okay so here's my method of removing these things. Dermitoligist I didn't bother I did go to a doctor and was prescriced a couple things that did
Help my face at the time but actually the cream I was using brought out the first couple of blackheads because it peeled a good couple of layers of skin off my face . So that may work for a lot of you . But yoh can't use that cream for more than ten days or something like that so and it was prescription or I would have tried lol but my solution was callous remover :-P it removes dead skin and that's what i had in several areas of my face and the blackheads are under it. Plus it soaks up and draws the oil and crap breaking the blackhead up . Now don't try this yourselfs because it can burn like hell if you get it on your not dead skin and im sure it's got a million other reasons. But there's no other way to get rid of them some even have to be cut out which is kinda what im doing I guess but slower . So if you have these bumps and your not gonna go all in to get rid of them then I would just leave them be and try using something that has that one acid in it uhm sylicic ? Something like that but it will control those bumps I think but won't actually get rid of the blackheads at the root of the problem. Well hope this helps someone out there and sorry about the length lol I was kinda getting a little worried myself because i couldn't find anything about it for a long time and when I get worried about something then y'all definitely should start :-P good luck and good health and testosterone is like a super food for the things I didn't know this until recently bit that's maybe why mine came along so quick I started taking that P6 testosterone booster in December and have had face issues since . Lol LATER

yvonnechonggg
June 20, 2014
I have the same acne as well. It wont cure unless you pluck out the solid fine root under the pus.. something looks like a fine whitehead that has a very thin n deep root. My dermatology said its actually call pustules . It tends to spread too!!!
mace760
July 09, 2014
Read my post if you are still having issues. http://www.skinpick.com/node/3783 My new derm lady recognized the condition right off, tho she doesnt know what it is other than something in the blood. She does however know how to treat it and that is all I care about. The pics I took of the roots look just like morgellon pics so I am going to ask her if it is possibly morgellons.
lizstevens
September 21, 2015

I am so glad I found these posts. I have this same problem. However, after reading all the posts, I still have no idea what this is! When I first started researching this Morgellons Disease seemed to fit the profile. Please, someone help with our diagnosis!

ellemj
October 14, 2015

I don't the answer, but thanks for your post, now I don't feel so weird for having this gross obsession

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