‘Skin bump’ NYT Mini Crossword puzzle clue Aug. 28 answer and hints

There is nothing more worrisome than finding bumps on your skin, and as this is one of today’s NYT crossword clues, there are many possibilities for what a “skin bump” could be.

This clue is four down from the Aug. 28 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle. Even if you’re familiar with skin bumps, skincare, and general health knowledge, the answer to “skin bump” may not be what you think. It certainly wasn’t for me.

‘Skin bump’ Aug. 28 NYT Mini Crossword clue hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with a “C.”
• Hint 2: It ends with an “T.”
• Hint 3: It contains no vowels.
• Hint 4: It rhymes with mist.

The answer to the “Skin bump” clue is “CYST.“ A cyst is a sac of tissue found in the body or under the skin. It’s typically filled with fluid or even pus (yuck) and can be caused by particular conditions, injuries, or even infections. And they can be just as painful and as uncomfortable as they sound.

Aug. 28 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle: All clues and answers

Across

• 1A Tool for swabbing the deck — MOP
• 4A Doorbell’s sound — CHIME
• 6A Vertical lines on graphs, in math — Y AXES
• 7A Crept around in a weaselly way — SLUNK
• 8A ____-turvy — TOPSY

Down

• 1D Bungled situation — MIX UP
• 2D Signs of things to come — OMENS
• 3D Bothersome — PESKY
• 4D Skin bump — CYST
• 5D Angel hair topper? — HALO

‘Skin bump’ crossword clue difficulty

I thought this clue referred to something like a bite, acne, or zits because they’re typically small bumps on the skin. While solving the puzzle, I realized those ideas were wrong, and the answer had to be cysts. Although, I personally wouldn’t call them skin bumps because they’re sacs that can grow anywhere in your body, including under the skin, and can be more than just a bump. As not many people are familiar with cysts, and the confusion around this clue, I’d say this clue deserves a four out of five in difficulty.

Puzzles to enjoy after finishing the NYT Mini Crossword

Now that you’ve got the answers to today’s mini crossword puzzle, why not try the ones from the LA Times or the Washington Post? They’re just as quick and challenging as the one from the NYT. But, if you prefer word games, try Strands or Spelling Bee.