What is a small crusty growth on the scalp?

Author: Tremayne Corkery Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Overview. A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a common noncancerous (benign) skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised.

What are the crusty growths on my scalp?

Actinic keratosis is usually found on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or places that are often in the sun. The skin changes begin as flat and scaly areas. They often have a white or yellow crusty scale on top. The growths may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as your skin.

How do you get rid of seborrheic keratosis on the scalp?

Seborrheic keratosis removal can be achieved with one or a combination of the following methods:
  1. Freezing the growth. ...
  2. Scraping (curettage) or shaving the skin's surface. ...
  3. Burning with an electric current (electrocautery).

What does actinic keratosis look like on the scalp?

Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin. In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface. Color variations, including pink, red or brown.

Why is there a crusty bump on my head?

A variety of health issues can cause bumps to form on the scalp, including sweating, folliculitis, acne, head lice, and eczema. Treatment will depend on the cause but may include medicated shampoos, ointments, and other topical products.

What does small skin colored lump on the scalp indicate? - Dr. Urmila Nischal

What does keratosis look like?

Signs and symptoms might include: A round or oval-shaped waxy or rough bump, typically on the face, chest, a shoulder or the back. A flat growth or a slightly raised bump with a scaly surface, with a characteristic "pasted on" look. Varied size, from very small to more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across.

Why do I have crusty scabs on my scalp?

Scabs on the scalp can emerge due to folliculitis, dermatitis, psoriasis or an allergic reaction to chemical products, like hair dye or or hair treatments. It is rare for scabs to form due to severe health conditions, like skin cancer.

How to tell the difference between seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratoses vary in color, but they tend to be less pigmented than seborrheic keratoses. They can be flat or slightly raised, but tend to be flatter, and you might feel them before you see them. They feel scaly and rough, but may become more bumpy and wart-like over time, like seborrheic keratoses.

Is scalp melanoma crusty?

Examining Your Scalp for Melanoma

As you carefully look at your scalp, notate any red or scaly patches, pigmented moles, pink blemishes or raised moles, as these can all be signs of skin cancer.

Is it OK to scratch off seborrheic keratosis?

Sometimes a seborrheic keratosis can itch. Scratching it can cause it to bleed and sometimes even scar. A seborrheic keratosis is removed only if it bothers you. The doctor will freeze it or scrape it off with a tool.

How long does it take for actinic keratosis to become cancerous?

This condition is usually seen in middle-aged adults, revealing the massive amount of time between original sun exposure and the development of tissue irregularities. That said, once you have an AK lesion, or many, these growths may transform into skin cancer within a three-year period.

Does vaseline get rid of seborrheic keratosis?

Treatments for seborrhoeic keratoses? As they are harmless they do not require any treatment. Any itching or irritation can frequently be relieved by simple moisturisers such as E45 cream® or Vaseline Intensive Care lotion®. NHS services do not currently treat seborrhoeic keratoses.

How do I get rid of crusty build up on my scalp?

A regular exfoliation will help lift away build up. Try using a pre-wash scalp brush, and your fingertips (but not your nails) to massage in your shampoo. This will further help to physically remove any lingering build up. A clarifying shampoo two or three times a month can work wonders.

Can I remove my seborrheic keratosis myself?

Some topical products that treat seborrheic keratosis are available without a prescription, including 0.1% tazarotene cream and alpha hydroxy acid products. A person who wishes to treat their condition at home should speak with a doctor for a recommendation.

What vitamin deficiency causes seborrheic keratosis?

Introduction. Seborrheic keratoses (SK) are benign epidermal tumors with high sun exposure as a major risk factor. Vitamin D deficiency is also thought to play a role in its pathogenesis.

Is there an over the counter treatment for seborrheic keratosis?

The FDA has approved hydrogen peroxide 40% topical solution (Eskata – Aclaris Therapeutics) for treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses (SKs) in adults. It is the first drug to be approved for this indication. (Hydrogen peroxide is available over the counter for topical use as a 3% solution.)

What is the Bowen's disease?

Bowen's disease is a very early form of skin cancer. The cancer is on the top layer of your skin. It has not spread to the layers under the skin. Bowen's disease is also called 'squamous cell carcinoma in situ'. Squamous cells are the flat cells that make up the top of the skin.

What is this hard crusty bump on my scalp?

Folliculitis. If bacteria, a virus, or fungus gets into a hair follicle, you can get folliculitis. It may look and feel like a pimple, a painful red bump with or without a white head. These sores can be crusty and scabby, too.

Why do I have crusty bits on my scalp?

Seborrheic (seb-o-REE-ik) dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest.

What is an autoimmune scab on the scalp?

Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune condition that causes painful and itchy blisters and sores on your skin, most often on your face, scalp and trunk. Symptoms can reduce with topical creams, ointments or drugs. This condition isn't contagious.

What triggers seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis occurs when skin cells, known as keratinocytes, multiply rapidly, resulting in a non-cancerous growth. This can occur in people with a family history of the condition, or it may affect people who have spent a significant amount of time in the sun.

What does precancerous keratosis look like?

It tends to lie flat against the skin of the head and neck, but appears as a bump on arms and hands. The base of an actinic keratosis may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, or a combination of these. Or it may be the same color as the skin.

How to remove seborrheic keratosis with Vicks?

I began applying Vicks to the area twice a day and covered it with a large, round bandage. (Actually, it was a generic version called Medicated Chest Rub I found at my local pharmacy.) The edge nearest my hairline began to peel back first. I used a cotton swab to press the Vicks as far into the patchy area as I could.

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