What are the bumps that look like pimples but aren't?

Author: Earl Jaskolski  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

A syringoma is a firm bump that resembles a pimple (papule) on your skin that usually forms in small clusters or groups on your skin, most often on your face. Syringomas are the result of your overgrowth of your sweat glands. These bumps are harmless to your body.

What looks like a pimple but nothing comes out?

Blind pimples (also known as cystic pimples or cystic acne) are pimples that are so deep beneath the surface of your skin that they don't have a whitehead or blackhead. The exact cause of blind pimples varies based on multiple factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, medications, stress and even sweat.

What are bumps that look like pimples on body?

In most cases, the main symptom of folliculitis is red bumps that look like pimples on your skin. These could also look like they're white-filled bumps or they could be filled with pus (pustules). Folliculitis can feel itchy and uncomfortable. Many people feel the need to scratch when they have folliculitis.

Is milia an STD?

Milia are commonly associated with newborn babies, but may appear on people of any age. They are usually found around the nose and eyes, and sometimes on the genitalia, often mistaken by those affected as warts or other sexually transmitted diseases.

What are raised bumps that aren't pimples?

keloids, which are a type of raised scar that initially appear red, pink, or purple. keratosis pilaris, which is a harmless skin condition that appears as tiny bumps, mostly on the back of the arm or thighs, that may appear similar to acne. skin tags, which are harmless skin growths that are typically flesh-colored.

Face Bumps THAT ARE NOT Fungal Acne

How do you get rid of small bumps that aren't pimples?

Moisturizing or exfoliating creams (like ammonium lactate or urea cream) can help reduce the bumps. Left: Many tiny red to pink, rough bumps on fair skin from keratosis pilaris. Right: Many tiny, brown and rough keratosis pilaris bumps.

What do stress bumps look like?

Stress rashes often appear as raised red bumps called hives. They can affect any part of the body, but often a stress rash is on the face, neck, chest or arms. Hives may range from tiny dots to large welts and may form in clusters. They may be itchy or cause a burning or tingling sensation.

Is milia caused by poor hygiene?

Milia can also happen when a skin infection or trauma clogs the sweat ducts (i.e. laser treatment, chemical peels, herpes). A lack of sleep, smoking, poor personal hygiene or long-term steroid use can also contribute to the milia. Milia will naturally come to the surface of the skin after a few weeks or months.

What is pearl acne?

Milia are bumps containing keratin that has been trapped underneath the skin, and are sometimes called “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls."

Can I pop milia?

People should avoid popping or squeezing milia. This will not remove the milia and may damage or scar the skin. It is also best to avoid poking or picking milia. This interference increases the risk of infection and can lead to scarring.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What are the bumps that feel like pimples but aren t?

A syringoma is a firm bump that resembles a pimple (papule) on your skin that usually forms in small clusters or groups on your skin, most often on your face. Syringomas are the result of your overgrowth of your sweat glands. These bumps are harmless to your body.

What do clogged pores look like?

Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.

What does fungal acne look like?

In fungal acne, the spots are red bumps (papules) or pustules (white heads) of a similar size, usually between 1 to 2 mm. They occur in waves and they can be pretty itchy – much more itchy that usual acne spots. Fungal acne can occur anywhere on the body but common locations are: Forehead, temples and frontal hair line.

What are butter pimples?

Steatocystomas are noncancerous cysts that grow in the skin's sebaceous glands and contain an overload sebum, an oil that naturally moisturizes the hair and skin. In this particular patient, Dr. Lee says the sebum looks like butter, thanks to the yellow hue of the substance.

What are grease pimples?

‌Sebaceous hyperplasia is a harmless, common skin condition that becomes more common with age. It happens when your sebaceous oil glands make too much oil that gets trapped under your skin and causes bumps. If you decide to treat it, there are many options available.

What is rock acne?

Nodular acne is the most severe type of inflammatory acne. It causes solid, painful bumps deep within the skin that require professional treatment. Even with treatment, the nodules can last for weeks or months and often scar.

Does vaseline help get rid of milia?

Avoid heavy, oily eye creams and vaseline in the undereye area or on the nose as these can contribute to milia formation. Protect your skin from the sun and remember that patience and consistency is key to getting good long-term results.

Why do I have a hard bump on my face that is not a pimple?

Hard bumps on your face that won't pop can be caused by many things. White bumps called milia are the most common cause, but bumps on the face can also be from closed pores, cysts, keratoses, skin cancer, and more. White bumps on your face can appear under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose.

What happens if you touch milia?

You shouldn't try to squeeze or scrape off milia on your own, as you might do with a pimple. This can scar your skin or cause an infection. There are things you can do at home that can help: Wash your face every day with warm water and gentle soap.

What do shingles look like?

Shingles can occur anywhere on your body. It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox.

What is a cortisol rash?

Cortisol rashes, often triggered by stress, can appear on the body as itchy bumps and are known as urticaria or hives. The causes of cortisol rashes are varied, including emotional stress, environmental factors, and physical triggers like allergies and infections.

What are pressure bumps?

Pressure urticaria is an uncommon form of physical urticaria, a subset of chronic urticaria, which presents with erythematous swelling at sites of pressure. Chronic urticaria is termed when patients have ongoing urticaria for more than 6 weeks.

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