What Causes a Hole on the Arm with Blackheads and White Strips That Can Be Squeezed Out?

A hole on the arm with blackheads and white strips that can be squeezed out may be caused by acne, sebaceous cyst, and follicular keratosis. You can choose appropriate treatment methods under the guidance of a doctor.

1. Acne: Acne is an inflammatory skin disease of hair follicles and sebaceous glands caused by various factors. After onset, there will be a hole on the arm, from which blackheads and white strips can be squeezed out. Follow your doctor's advice for external application of drugs such as fusidic acid cream, compound polymyxin B ointment, and tretinoin cream. For moderate to severe acne, take oral medications such as isotretinoin capsules, doxycycline tablets, and amoxicillin capsules under the guidance of a doctor.

2. Sebaceous Cyst: Sebaceous cysts occur mainly due to abnormal sebaceous gland secretion. The sebum on the arms secretes some substances. When these secretions clog the sebaceous gland ducts on the arms, the sebaceous gland epithelium will gradually enlarge, and then more secretions accumulate, leading to white strips being squeezed out from the hole on the arm. If infected, use drugs such as chlortetracycline ointment, erythromycin ointment, and hydrocortisone ointment under the guidance of a doctor. After the inflammation resolves, undergo surgical treatment such as cystectomy as advised by the doctor.

3. Follicular Keratosis: The arms are stimulated by sunlight, leading to follicular keratosis, and a hole on the arm from which blackheads and white strips can be squeezed out appears. Under the guidance of a doctor, apply drugs such as salicylic acid ointment, urea ointment, and tacrolimus ointment for treatment. For hypertrophic skin lesions, physical treatment methods such as cryotherapy and laser therapy can be used to destroy the follicular corn plug and remove it.

Patients are advised to drink more water, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement enough vitamins, and pay attention to skin hygiene.