Chronic inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands; some forms have a genetic trigger.

• A. Whitehead
• B. Acne
• C. Milia
• D. Steatoma

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that acne is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit, involving the sebaceous glands. Excess sebum production, abnormal skin cell turnover clogging the follicle, and bacterial activity (notably Cutibacterium acnes) trigger inflammation that can persist, especially with hormonal changes. Genetics can influence how reactive the sebaceous glands are and how strong the inflammatory response is, which is why acne can run in families and vary with puberty or other hormonal shifts.

A closed comedo, or whitehead, is a pore blockage without the inflammatory aspect, so it isn’t the chronic inflammatory disorder described. Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts beneath the skin and don’t involve the sebaceous glands in an inflammatory way. A steatoma refers to a sebaceous cyst from a blocked duct rather than an inflammatory sebaceous-gland disorder, so it doesn’t fit the description of a chronic inflammatory condition driven by sebaceous activity.