NIC Esthetician Written ExamSkin Analysis and ConsultationMedium
A client expresses concern about small, white, pearl-like bumps under the skin, primarily around her eyes and on her upper cheeks. These bumps are firm to the touch and do not have an opening. What is the most accurate description of these lesions?
- AMilia
- BCysts
- CPustules
- DOpen comedones
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Milia
Milia are small, white, firm, pearl-like cysts that are trapped pockets of keratin and sebum just under the epidermis. They are typically found around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead, and unlike comedones, they do not have a follicular opening, making them difficult to extract without proper technique.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Cysts are typically larger, deeper, and often painful, not small and pearl-like.
- C. Pustules are inflamed, red lesions containing pus.
- D. Open comedones (blackheads) have a dark, open pore.
Milia
Tiny, white, pearl-like cysts that form when keratin and sebum become trapped beneath the surface of the skin, often around the eyes and cheeks.
- Do not have a follicular opening.
- Require professional extraction, often with a lancet.
- Common in all ages, including newborns.
Memory trick: Lesions reveal their identity through size, color, and opening.