Some causes of bumps, such as skin cancer, require urgent medical attention. But often, a person can address the issue at home. If any lump, bump, or blemish on the scalp is concerning, or if home care is ineffective, contact a dermatologist or another healthcare professional.
What do stress rashes 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.
Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home: New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or a fever. Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.
Bacteria trapped in the inflamed hair follicle can cause small pus-filled bumps called pustules to form. These red, oozing pustules look like acne.
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.
Staphylococcus aureus folliculitis: Infection of the hair follicle with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is one of the most common causes of folliculitis. Small red or white pus-filled pimples can be seen on the skin. The affected area often gets better (resolves) within a few days and can be cared for at home.
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles become inflamed. It's often caused by an infection with bacteria. At first it may look like small pimples around the tiny pockets from where each hair grows (hair follicles). The condition can be itchy, sore and embarrassing.
Changes in your head and neck skin are the most obvious signs of skin cancers of the head and neck, such as new growths, sores that don't heal, or changes in existing moles (size, shape, color). BCCs often look like flesh-colored round growths, pearly bumps, or pinkish patches of skin.
What does shingles on the scalp look like? Shingles is a viral infection that appears as painful rashes anywhere on the body, including the scalp. It may cause discolored patches of skin on the scalp with bumps or blisters that eventually form scabs.
It can be tempting to pick at scabs on the scalp if they are itchy or painful, but this can cause complications such as infections or skin damage.
A headache that is getting worse. Trouble with balance. Vomiting. Blood or clear fluid coming from the nose or ears.
If you see what looks like pimples or you notice pus draining from the bumps on your scalp, warm compresses can help. Gently press a warm (not hot), damp cloth against the area a few times daily. This can encourage the pus to drain out of the bumps to heal up a bit faster.
A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. Comander says. In order for you to feel a cancerous lump, it probably has to be rather large and closer to the surface of the skin.
Finding a new lump or bump on the head can be a cause for concern, but in most cases, it's nothing to worry about. However, it's always a good idea to have any lump or bump checked out by a GP. They can assess the situation, provide advice on symptom management, and refer you to appropriate treatment if necessary.
Causes may include: Normal ridging due to overlap of bony plates after birth. Congenital craniosynostosis. Crouzon syndrome.
Scalp acne
A person may have raised bumps, whiteheads, or blackheads, which may be itchy, sore, or tender. Scalp acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells or oil. If someone has oily hair or adds certain products, they might be more susceptible to scalp acne.
Benign tertiary syphilis usually develops 3 to 10 years after the initial infection. Soft, rubbery growths called gummas appear on the skin, most commonly on the scalp, face, upper trunk, and legs. They also often develop in the liver or bones, but they can develop in virtually any organ.
What can cause sores or scabs on the scalp? Sores or scabs on the scalp often clear up on their own. However, they are sometimes signs of a condition that may require treatment, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, or head lice.
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your body. Your immune system attacks your hair follicles because it thinks they're foreign invaders — bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi — that cause infection, illness and disease.
A tell-tale sign of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Other common skin problems include sensitivity to the sun with flaky, red spots or a scaly, purple rash on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and arms.