What is a spot that looks like a pimple but wont go away?

Author: Mark Miller  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. These bumps are typically the color of your skin. But they can be tan or brown, especially in darker skin. Sometimes BCC can look like a pimple, and they may bleed or be crusty. A BCC will get bigger over time and doesn't go away on its own.

What does a tumor pimple look like?

Unusual Bumps or Patches: BCC often appears as flesh-colored, pearly bumps or patches that may bleed and develop a crust. They can resemble open sores that do not heal. Shiny Pink Growth: A shiny, pink, or red growth with an elevated border and central indentation can be a sign of BCC.

What skin condition looks like a pimple?

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition that is common in children but can occur at any age. It is caused by a virus that gives you pimple-like spots with a dimple in the middle. It can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, or when you bathe or share a towel with someone who has the infection.

Why is my pimple spot not going away?

There are a few reasons why it may take time to heal a big pimple. It's normal for some types of acne—especially deep, large pimples—to take longer to clear up. You might also have persistent pimples if you're not taking care of your skin, are taking certain medications, or have specific health conditions.

What is a pimple that never goes away?

You may have a blind pimple from time to time. Or you may have many blind pimples that take months to go away. A severe type of acne called nodular acne can cause multiple blind pimples along with raised red bumps. These painful blind pimples, or nodules, contain pus and bacteria and feel hard under the skin.

7 SKIN SIGNS NOT TO IGNORE 😮 DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday

What is a bump that looks like a pimple but isn'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.

Is it staph or a pimple?

Staph skin infections, including MRSA , generally start as swollen, painful red bumps that might look like pimples or spider bites. The affected area might be: Warm to the touch. Full of pus or other drainage.

What is the pimple like thing that won't go away?

Sometimes BCC can look like a pimple, and they may bleed or be crusty. A BCC will get bigger over time and doesn't go away on its own. BCC is common in areas that get a lot of sun exposure, like the face. And it can happen in people of all skin colors.

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 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 a sepsis pimple look like?

As the wound begins to dry, a crust starts to form in the outer layer. If the crust is yellowish and if there is a formation of pimples on or near the wound, it could be septic. Sores that look like blisters. If there is a formation of sores which look like pockets of fluid around the area, they could be septic.

What are stress pimples like?

Stress acne typically presents as an array of small, red or pink pimples that can be scattered across various areas of the face. These facial acne pimples often take the form of whiteheads or blackheads and can progress into pustules, which are red, pus-filled bumps, or papules, which are small, raised bumps.

What are fungal pimples?

Fungal acne, or Malassezia folliculitis, is an infection in hair follicles that's often confused with common acne. It causes clusters of small, itchy, red bumps on your skin. Antifungal medications can treat the infection, and there are ways to prevent and relieve the rash-like symptoms.

How can you tell if a spot is cancerous?

Melanoma signs include:
  1. A large brownish spot with darker speckles.
  2. A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds.
  3. A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black.
  4. A painful lesion that itches or burns.

What does a nodule pimple look like?

Nodular acne is a severe type of acne. It causes hard lumps or knots (nodules) to develop deep under your skin. The nodules start below the surface and appear on the skin as red bumps. These bumps usually don't have a whitehead or blackhead at the center.

Can melanoma start as a pimple?

Melanoma may look like a pimple, mole, or freckle that you have had for a while. As the cancer develops further, it may start to look different. You may notice a melanoma has changed in color or size. Alternatively, you may see that the surface of the area has become raised, flat, or irregular in shape.

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

What does B6 acne look like?

The clinical appearance of acneiform exanthema occurring during treatment with vitamin B6 or B12 consists of loosely disseminated small papules or papulopustules on the face (especially on the forehead and chin), on the upper parts of the back and chest and spreading to the upper arm.

What is a pimple that's not a pimple?

Folliculitis. These small bumps appear when the hair follicle swells up because it's been infected by yeast or bacteria. These bumps can happen anywhere you have hair on your body, but they're most common on the neck, legs, armpits, and buttocks.

What if a pimple won't go away for months?

If pimples are deep and long lasting, it may be a good idea to see a dermatologist. The dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that could be causing pimples. In some cases, they might prescribe birth control pills to adjust hormone levels.

What does MRSA pimple look like?

One or More Swollen Red Bumps Draining Pus

This can start with a small bump that looks like a pimple or acne, but that quickly turns into a hard, painful red lump filled with pus or a cluster of pus-filled blisters. Not all boils are caused by MRSA bacteria — other kinds may be the culprit.

What looks like a pimple but isn't?

Seborrheic Keratosis: Master of Disguise

If it's small, reddened and round, it can look like a pimple. But it's a benign but stubborn growth whose cause is not well known. Genetics and cumulative sun exposure may be factors.

What soap kills staph?

Daily Bathing with Chlorhexidine-based Soap and the Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Infection.

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