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18759983 tn?1467668144

Never Ending White Plugs Under My Scabs - WHAT ARE THEY? PLZ Help!

I have been dealing with this for like 10 years now and I have potholes on my face and future potholes (open wounds that won't heal) cause of these white plugs/cores in my pores that return overnight even when plucked out. The scabs don't want to heal with these plugs in there and they won't stop coming back. I've been messing with one of my wounds for a year now, sad. I'm 30 now and my acne really isn't all that bad anymore...So id be alight if these scabs would just heal normally. It all starts out with the a pimple. I don't get them very often...but when I do, That's how it all starts. When it get popped, It usually breaks the skin open enough to need a scab...and then that small scab won't heal cause there are these rice grain like plugs (clear as day) in my pores that inhibit the healing process. These plugs are white and of a semi hard consistency. Kind of like Dots candy or dry silicone. They aren't usually as big as a rice grain, but can get that big. I notice after I pluck them out they dry out a shrink in size. I use the corner of a pair of finger nail clippers to pluck them out. I've become quite skilled and surgical with them, I don't usually pluck anything but the plug. But over time...It clearly takes its toll. I've pretty much ruled out Demodex. I'm thinking it's got to be like sebum sacks from like to much sebum production or collagen fill that my body is producing to fill the wound...But if that was the case...why wouldn't it heal normally? The reason I think it could overactive built up/dryed up sebum is because although my face looks acne free despite the open wounds. I can pretty much squeeze sticky sebum out of any pore on my face...You can't really tell its there...But I can just sqeeze almost any pore on my face...and Waala. Gross. :/ My nose and cheek areas are the worst. I got some Tazorac Gel and Cream from my last dermatologist visit (He had no idea what I was talking about with regards to these plugs, I wanted to peel of a scab and show him. He didn't want me to. He probably thought I was crazy.). I plan to start using it daily and see if that cuts down on my sebum production/clears up pores. Side question. Has anyone tied Fraxel Laser or Smoothbeam Laser to restore collagen/fix potholes from past wounds? Did it work good???
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Avatar universal
I have similar. Except, the bumps I have had we're not actually pimples. They were bumps from my poor getting clogged with keratin. The Keratin plugs were white and hurt really bad to try to get out. When I get the scab, they're underneath the scab is well. I just started using a soap with sulfur in it. I've used everything else. In my shower today, the plugs were falling out by themselves. It seems that the sulfur unbinded them for my skin. Without that, it's like they're super glued into my skin it feels like I'm ripping my skin apart when I pull them out.
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2 Comments
Omg! I'm gonna try this! Been dealing with these for 10+ years- and the sores hurt like hell until those stupid plugs come out! No one understands the plug must come out, then a real hard scab and regular healing. But, for me, they are so painful to the touch when the plug is in there!
I have a similar issue

Happy to days it’s all but gone now

What really worked was a Uv light (set on purple) combo or red and blue lights - followed by hydrogen peroxide. Debride (remove dead skin as needed) and then put on  a thin layer of emuaidmax cream (on Amazon)


Use light up to 3 days a week for up to 10 minutes at one time.
DO NOT SHINE LIGHT IN EYES - can cause vision loss if used improperly

Avatar universal
Hi guys, for those of you out there who are still looking for the answer to those white plugs under your scabs, the semi-solid ones that, when you are able to pull them out, leave a tiny red hole in your skin; plus there are a dozen more to pull out, right beside it....Anyway, I wanted to tell you: those little white plugs are your neutrophils, macrophages and fibroblasts that make up the skin granulation stage of the healing process. That’s why you find them in skin that has been traumatized previously, and not freshly torn skin. I have wasted many months in the past year, trying to pull them all out of my face, too, not knowing what they were and convinced that they should not be there; I didn’t ever see them in my fresh wounds. But when I learned that the plugs were created by my skin’s standard granulation response for healing its own damaged tissues, and that those little semi-firm rods sticking out of my pores were actually something good, it helped me ease off of the skin picking a bit, in direct relation to the plugs. I still have to make a concerted effort to not open up my wounds and tear out the plugs that I find inside, but it does help me fight the urge, knowing this. Finally, I have found that retinol 0.25% is helping my wounds close faster and scar less. It says you’re not supposed to put them on open lesions, so proceed at your own risk if you wish to try, but I had a four-month-long, peach-sized, dug-out wound on my cheek that I eventually withered down to a faded pink area of two inches across, where the open wound once sat, ruining my life. When it was that huge lesion, I only applied the retinol to the surrounding edges, but it helped dry them out and I believe that, combined with my red light, was what helped stop the infection that was raging below the surface. It gradually shrank with the combined use of these two things. I don’t know if that will help anyone out there, but I really hope it does, because I know how awful it is to look in the mirror and have to face what you’ve done. I wish all of you luck in the future, and remember that self worth is not based on how you look; it’s predicated on what comes from within. Find your worth. x
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
it's very helpful because I was convinced that they were larvae of sand fleas or something to that affect. These little white plugs would stretch out across a sore and attach to both sides like threads until the hole would be closed. Like they were guarding the nest. what your saying makes perfect sense..thanks for sharing
18759983 tn?1467668144
I should note...That this only happens on my face. The only thing that really help them heal quick is Manuka Honey. I use Wedderspoon 100% Raw Manuka Honey. But even that doesn't seem to help heal the wound fast enough to beat these plugs. It's crazy...It can't be a fungus...There's no way it could materialize that quick...Like overnight.
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2 Comments
I am experiencing the same plug/acne issues. Been battling all summer til now and am currently. The dermatologist tried tellingneeded to relax and figure out what was bothering me when I started picking, and basically go to my happy place. Said I have “pickers” acne. Although he is a sweet man I know this is much more. When I had seen him I was on antibiotics for pneumonia for 15 days so all that was really showing was maybe one scab and scars. But alas 7 days after I was finished with my antibiotics it started all over again. I’m going crazy over it. It can be painful, never heals, may start to if I can get the plugs out. I’m just so over it. I have never had to wear so much make up in my life. Other people don’t notice so much, that’s how good I’ve gotten at covering them up but I can’t take it much longer. I go back to dermotoligist next month and I’m gonna insist he do a culture to see what it could be. I’m hoping it’s at its worst or at least enough that he will test it. I’d rather it just go away, but I have very brief periods that it looks as tho it is and unfortunately those times have been when my appointments are taking place.
Well now that I have written a book lol, I was wondering if you had any luck clearing them up or figuring out what it is since you posted your info. What I describe is what I experience to a T, minus every pore excreting sebum. I have many that are clogged like but they don’t all excrete the sebum. The lesions for sure do. But I have normal clogged/and not so clogged pores as well. Right now I have like 5 of those damn things starting to form the initial pimple and 3 open lesions. It’s maddening. I’m definitely going to try a Candida diet just Incase it is an imbalance.
Leishmanasis... 6 Years of this crap. 1 year post Accutane im realizing the liesions are more like a parasite and its not demodex or scabies... The wounds ulcerate and become deep.. Thicker edges almost making the ulcer look deeper. I pick But i honestly think they would be worse if i didn't. The scab is mushy and bubbly looking hut also flat other times. I take off the yellow/white canker like scab and there are a bunch of white dots.. Some big some small. The big ones barely budge and when I get them it leaves holes. I can scrape it with my fingernail and have a bunch of tiny lol speckled grainy stuff that comes out.. (The plugs) ....they don't stop coming.. Even after u think u got them all. Ugh. Im using permethrin lotion. I rubbed it on head to toe and I habe to do another one in 2 weeks (a few days from now). I'm seriously hoping this is the cure. Will keep u updated..
Avatar universal
For me, it it PN.  I am on Dupixicant for it now. Still battling.  It's the ING worst!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this issue too! It is soooo painful! It takes months and months for them to heal. I've been trying to research it and the only thing I can find is testimonies like yours. But no real help. I haven't been to a dermatologist because, frankly, I think they would tell me to just stop picking or removing the "plugs" and blame me for the problem as opposed to really trying to help me. I finally convinced my husband that it's necessary for me to remove them because it's the only thing that brings me relief from the awful pain. Because he would yell at me to just stop touching/picking my face, believing that it was making it worse (which, normally, is totally understandable).
Sadly, the latest flare-up just keeps expanding on my skin and won't dry up. Anything that has worked previously, has become ineffective and aggravates my skin now, making the problem worse. The plugs are often combined with what looks like fatty tissue in some areas. They are clustered together, sometimes growing (plugs) in all different directions and intertwined within the "fatty tissue". I'm at my wits' end. The current location is on the back of my earlobe and it's migrating in front of my ear. The swelling and subsequent attempted removal is making my earlobe deformed, which is making me even more stressed. Btw, this all started from a pimple also. It was on the back of my ear and I tried squeezing it, which was the WRONG thing to do, because I think it just created the trauma response and started me on this nightmare again. The pimple is long gone and my skin is not infected in any way. I'm super careful about using clean tweezers or removal tools (using barbicide to disinfect them). But I can't find anything to "dry out" the afflicted area before the plugs re-form, which can happen in less than a day and/or before the "treatment" causes my sensitive skin to go crazy. I can't even use first-aid tape or certain band-aids/bandages to cover it because my skin is so sensitive to the adhesive and leaves burns and welts on my skin.
I'm so done with this...I can't even express how much.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I live in Texas and I started a large garden in my backyard last spring, tilled the ground, worked it daily by hand. Once I started watering, I noticed what looked like bites on my ankles and hands. Fast forward to today and multiple dr's visits later. I am now covered with sores, face, ears, mouth, lips, everywhere, from head to toe, inside my mouth, inside my nose. I have the same white plugs you guys are talking about, it's not a dang hair follicle as several Dr's have suggested. These white little rice looking alien things have a tail that is attached to the skin. I have pulled them out and taken pictures of them using a microscope app on my smart phone. Deep in the sore which looks like a crater with a raised edge will be a tiny black thing. No matter how many of them I pull out, more moves in. They secrete a liquid that forms a barrier when topical meds are applied, they especially hate Peroxide! I have pictures of the black things as well. Of course the picking made it worse, got a secondary infection. Now almost a year later I think what ever this is has mutated into something else. I now have little brownish/black flat tick-like looking things that seem to blend into my skin, have pictures of those as well. Nobody believes me. I have had punch biopsy's which showed mold but no parasites. The last time I went to the Dr, I went equipped with my large magnifying mirror, an new hand held 30x magnifying glass, tweezers, and much to the protest of my dr, I did rip a scab off to show her what I was seeing. Oh and I forgot to mention the constant biting and stinging, it feels like they are eating me from the inside out. I'm at a loss as to what this is and why I cant get rid of it. I'm not crazy!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just started using an anti fungal cream called Nystatin on my face and arms. It is giving me some relief. I don’t know why it is helping but I’ll try anything and it is definitely made it more tolerable in the past two days. I’m going to see if they heal. I always used bandaids and they don’t help and I’ve bought so many.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem! It's been 10 years of hell dealing with it. It takes months and months for them to heal and they leave ugly scars. They clear up once in a while for a few months but then come back. Mine are mostly on my face. Glycolic acid seems to help. Also scrubbing with baking soda seemed to help exfoliate well. It's so frustrating! I also get people telling to quit picking. I can't make them understand that you have to pick or it'll never go away. Stress seems to make it flare up. I use peppermint oil and water that I spray on my face especially after I pick to kill any bacteria and it really seems to help a lot. Keeping your skin exfoliated seems to be the main thing. Unfortunately I have to pile on makeup and that seems to exacerbate it. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this.
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Avatar universal
Discoid lupus / Carpet tack
Cancer
Syphilis

Were the options that my doctor gave me the other day.  Have to return for biopsy.

My gut feel is that a lot of ailments are bacteria, parasitic or fungi related and we continue to have problems because the root issue is not sorted.

It's so easy to be infected by these pests and not know it.
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Avatar universal
Hi all.

I've been plug/sore free since September 2020, for the first time in 5+ years.
After many appointments, with many different doctors, and many different diagnosis and/or accusations.
I was told its just a cold sore on the chin (with possible secondary infection).
Long story short, I've been on an antiviral and have had no more issues. It's absolutely worth asking a doctor about.
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3 Comments
Coming back to update - still going well with the antiviral 2 years later.
I have been on Ivermectin 4 times, Doxycycl HYC 100mg, Hydroxyz Pam, Metronidazol 500 mg, Terbinafine 250mg,  and Bactrim. nothing helps. what antiviral are you taking if you don't mind me asking?
@tjfuller65 Valacyclovir
Avatar universal
Same problem here for three year. Recently had some other, I thought unrelated, symptoms ( lower extremity swelling, anemia) and went through extensive testing for lupus. I still need a biopsy to confirm but most likely cutaneous lupus. The good news is it is treatable! You may have to demand a biopsy but worth it for the diagnosis.
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Avatar universal
Skin cancer? Please someone look up Basal Cell Carcinoma and tell me if you can relate to any of the symptoms.
Or Squamous Cell Carcinoma/ Actinic Keratosis....


An open sore that does not heal, and may bleed, ooze or crust. The sore might persist for weeks, or appear to heal and then come back.
A reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort.
A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-skinned people, and can be mistaken for a normal mole.
A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center that may develop tiny surface blood vessels over time.
A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color. The skin appears shiny and taut, often with poorly defined borders. This warning sign may indicate an invasive BCC.


https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/bcc-warning-signs-images/
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Avatar universal
i had this problem as well. last week i had a pimple with no head and i decided to treat it with salicylic acid. see i am aware that salicylic acid may burn the skin and in my case it did since my pimple did not have a head. as a result, the skin came off and i saw white plugs. i tried putting ointments and oils and petroleum jelly but i just kept having the urge to squeeze every white plug or use tweezers to get them out but to no avail, it did not want to get out. so i researched on it and alot said they were keratin plugs and are there because its your body’s response (initial healing) theyre there for a reason so dont try to get them out. before i knew this the open wound would just scab and fall off over and over again and usually the scab was yellow so i thought it was infected. so i tried covering it with a cutout bandaid with a little ointment and after a few days it healed.
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Avatar universal
What about Fungal? Is it itchy? Apparently, fungus produces a hard covering. (Like an exoskeleton) to protect itself. Perhaps those are the hard white plugs? I have used Ketoconazole BUT my rash is all over and so bad that Ketoconazole helped with 50% of the rash. My face is disfigured from it at this point. I have not had a dermatologist give me the time of day DGS me definitively yet. They just think I have a "picking problem".  The fact is I would not be picking if I did not have hard itchy bumps on my body. Worse on my face, shoulders, back and abdomen but I get it in my ears, eyelids..everywhere. I have lost faith in MD's honestly.  Hope this helps.
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Avatar universal
Small fly myiasis?
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1 Comments
No nothing like that. I know what the writer is describing. I have had it for 8 + years with no definitive dgs. Thanks for the input though.
Avatar universal
8+ years of this and mine is resolved.  Please reply if you are taking Propecia or Finiseride.  Long story and similar to many - odd twist for me when I ran out of my Finisaride and doc would not renew my Rx until I saw him.   2 weeks without Finisaride and the horrid reproducing plugs are gone - seriously thought I was going crazy - reply if anyone is on either med and we can discuss further.   I’ve had a persistent and horrible spot that is mending fast.  
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2 Comments
Wow, I’m so glad you responded with such an insightful thought ( reaction to some sort of medication)! I know how it feels to be discouraged and this story sounds discouraging! Hopefully, this was the answer! I’ve noticed medhelp helps those that are suffering feel less alone in their fight for healing.
This is a very interesting find. I wonder what the connection was. I am sure glad you have had luck with that.
Avatar universal
I have been suffering with this condition for about a year .  I have these wounds that open very easily and my scalp feels like silly putty.  I also have these gooky white plugs in my pores.  And when I get a cut on my head it is like a few centimeters deep and feels  like there’s slimy eggs underneath the scab.  I have seen these yellow egg like things come to the top of the scab.  I have tried to grab them with tweezers but they sound like they crunch.  And the wounds on my scalp don’t heal.  Pls help me!!!!
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7 Comments
Pls help me someone I am so desperately looking for a cure or a decrease in my symptoms and I am tired of being misdiagnosed constantly for God sakes!!!!
So sorry for all the frustration you are experiencing- what kind of diagnosis have you gotten so far for this?  Have you been to a dermatologist specifically or just your regular doctor?  
After reading this my husband and I decided to put Listerine ( amber color ) in our hair as it’s widely reported to kill Demodex. Just when I thought they were gone or almost gone this has stirred them up and now I can’t sleep. I’m super itchy this evening!! I pray these horrible things will be gone soon!
3 years of this for me..maybe more...I was a picker before now im scared to touch anything..I notice a week before period some start..and the mushy scalp..I was on antibiotics more than I was off last year..few weeks ago I had a light bulb go off..over growth of candidia...from meds taking away good and bad bacteria...I don't get yeast infections tho..so yeast causing this?  I have 3 on back of neck..one front n a bug one behind ear..video appt with dermatologist she puts me on Accutane and says plugs are keratin plugs..hormonal..my phone is at 5% and I finally found a conversation with people that have every single thing the same . I poked a needle in the scalp blister or whatever n blood was just pouring out..n same..feels like same plugs in there too
I’ve been dealing with the same **** every way u r cuts then the white plugs that r hard clear sore appearance looks like blister but underneath them freaking plugs I now have them on finger nails feet almost everywhere even the palm of my hand is horribly destroyed from these waxy miserable plugs but I used Burt’s bee chap stick and they r actually coming I swear to god they r clearing up!!! 2 years of sores that never went away n if they did it was only a few days n there back damn near destroyed my face trying to pull them just made more come but now by the grace there going away please try n I’d like to see if this works for anytime e else it’d be nice to hear someone else this works for because I really went threw depression with these white devils!!!!!!! B
Just tried it,instant itch relief..fingers crossed.
@P_Clip
I'd like to know if you had any luck with trying the Burts Bees suggestion. Can we get an update? I've also struggled with this and it is destroying my appearance more quickly than ever. I'm glad to finally find a group that has the same skin concerns and I'm now not feeling quite so alone in this!
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