At first glance, this close-up image is difficult to look away from. Several dark, raised spots appear around an irritated area of skin, with some lesions showing a central opening or plug-like material. The surrounding skin also appears swollen and inflamed.

While images like this can quickly spark theories online, a photograph alone cannot reliably determine what is happening beneath the skin. Several different skin conditions can create unusual bumps, openings, crusting, or dark centers.

What Could Cause an Appearance Like This?

A cluster of inflamed bumps with central openings may occur for several reasons, including infected cysts, abscesses, blocked hair follicles, inflammatory skin conditions, or a reaction to a foreign material.

In some cases, a dark center can simply represent dried blood, dead tissue, keratin, or a crust that has formed over an irritated area. It does not automatically mean that parasites or insects are present.