International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What condition is characterized by the appearance of papules due to occlusion of hair follicles?

1. Milia

2. Sebaceous hyperplasia

3. Neonatal acne

4. Atopic dermatitis

The correct answer is: Milia

Milia are small, white papules that commonly appear on the face, particularly on the cheeks, nose, and forehead of infants. They occur due to the obstruction of hair follicles or sweat glands, resulting in the retention of keratin. This condition is often mistaken for acne but is not associated with inflammation like acne is. In contrast, sebaceous hyperplasia involves enlarged sebaceous glands, leading to yellowish or flesh-colored bumps but does not feature the same type of papular formation due to follicular occlusion. Neonatal acne, while it does present with papules, is caused by maternal hormones and is characterized by inflammatory acne lesions rather than occlusion of follicles. Atopic dermatitis is primarily an inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin and does not specifically involve the appearance of papules due to hair follicle obstruction. Understanding the specifics of these conditions helps to clarify why milia is the correct answer, as it specifically involves the occlusion of hair follicles leading to the characteristic papular appearance.