In March 2020, “Penelope” developed a pimple after working out at the gym.  Then the pandemic hit.  And for over a year like countless others, she would experience “Maskne” (https://hypebae.com/2021/5/maskne-acne-face-mask-causes-treatments-how-to-prevent-dermatologist-tips-products) – acne breakouts from having to wear a face mask for hours on end.  Penelope’s pimple never went away, nor did it ever evolve.  But after a year of living with that bump on her face, Penelope knew there was something wrong.

A pimple is not meant to stay there forever.  She took to Dr. Google.  Whatever you do, don’t go to Google images and look up acne.  Talk about traumatic.  According to Dr. Google, she had a “blind pimple”.  A blind pimple sounds like no biggie.  From afar, no one even knows it is there.  There is no redness, no swelling.  It is “blind” because it is a pimple that does not come to a head (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320250#home-remedies), ie. no clear pus to pop out (as graphic as that sounds).  Technically, one can put up with living with a blind pimple – so long as no one comes near them to get a good look at their face.  But Penelope can’t stand it.  Each time she touches her face, she can feel the bump.  Something is wrong.    

A “blind pimple” can also go by the alias “closed comedo” (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/comedonal-acne#prevention).  It also answers to the name “cystic nodule”.  And this is where things get scary.  Generally, any time the word “cyst” enters the picture, it gets associated with Cancer.  Imagine getting a cancerous cyst on your face all because you sweated too hard and your pore got blocked with oil, dead cells and bacteria.  It’s not like Penelope has the option of walking into her doctor’s office to get a specialist referral.  A Fourth Wave is inevitable.  And non-essential visits to the doctor are discouraged these days.   The most she will get is a virtual visit.  What good is a virtual visit if the Dermatologist cannot feel her face?   

This is one of the by-products of this pandemic – not being able to access medical services that could help with preventative care.  A cystic nodule can continue to sit on one’s face for one year, two years, for however long this pandemic persists.  Or it can be popped.  Penelope stares into the mirror at the bump on her face.  It is up to her.   

5.6 million Canadians (https://dermatology.ca/public-patients/skin/acne/#:~:text=Acne%20affects%205.6%20million%20Canadians,adults%20ages%2020%20to%2040.), ie. 20% of the population, are struggling with acne.  How many will have a rogue blind pimple that will evolve into a cystic nodule that will morph into Cancer later in their lives?  Small things, in time, do become big things.