Sebum Plug / Keratin Plug (Not actually a bug)
Scientific Name: Keratosis pilaris or Comedo
Order & Family: N/A (Dermatological artifact)
Size: Typically 1-3 mm in length, often microscopic without magnification.
Natural Habitat
Found in human hair follicles, particularly on the face, scalp, or upper arms.
Diet & Feeding
N/A (This is accumulated oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, not a living organism).
Behavior Patterns
These form when sebum (oil) and keratin (skin protein) accumulate and harden inside a pore. They are stationary and do not move. They are often expelled or squeezed out of pores.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can lead to acne, blackheads, or enlarged pores if they become infected or very large. Benefits: None, strictly speaking, though sebum itself moisturizes skin. This object is frequently mistaken for a parasitic worm or mite by individuals, but it is benign biological debris.
Identified on: 2/27/2026