Finding an unexpected bump on your head can be concerning, but these occurrences are common. Lumps can arise from minor daily events to more persistent skin conditions. While many head bumps are harmless and resolve on their own, some require professional medical evaluation. Understanding potential causes can help alleviate anxiety and guide decisions about seeking care.
Everyday Reasons for Head Bumps
Many head bumps result from daily events or minor skin reactions. A common cause is a minor injury, where a direct impact to the scalp can lead to a hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin. These bumps appear immediately after impact, can feel firm or soft, and may be tender. They resolve over several days to weeks as the body reabsorbs the blood. Insect bites, particularly from mosquitoes or spiders, also cause small, itchy, raised bumps on the scalp due to inflammation from insect saliva.
Hair follicles are another frequent cause, leading to conditions like folliculitis or pimples. Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become inflamed, often due to bacterial or fungal infections, appearing as small, red, tender bumps or pustules around a hair. Acne-like breakouts on the scalp appear as inflamed lesions, often due to clogged pores and excess oil production. These conditions respond well to basic hygiene and sometimes topical treatments.
Sebaceous cysts are another common type of head bump. These benign lumps develop when a sebaceous gland, which produces skin oil (sebum), becomes blocked, leading to a buildup of oily material under the skin. Sebaceous cysts are slow-growing, smooth, and movable beneath the skin, often remaining asymptomatic unless they become inflamed or infected. While harmless, their presence is a frequent reason for seeking medical advice.
Common Skin Conditions
Persistent or recurring bumps on the head can be manifestations of common skin conditions. Dermatitis, particularly seborrheic dermatitis, frequently affects the scalp, presenting as flaky, itchy patches that can thicken and form crusts or bumps. This condition is related to an overgrowth of a normal yeast on the skin, Malassezia, and results in an inflamed, scaly appearance managed with specialized shampoos.
Psoriasis is another chronic autoimmune condition that causes distinct bumps on the scalp. It manifests as well-defined, red plaques covered with silvery scales, which feel raised and bumpy. These plaques result from an accelerated turnover of skin cells and can range in size, often causing itching and discomfort. Management involves topical treatments, light therapy, or systemic medications.
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that can develop just beneath the skin on the head. These soft, rubbery, and movable lumps are composed of adipose tissue and are painless unless they press on nerves or grow very large. Lipomas grow slowly and are often discovered incidentally, posing no health risk beyond cosmetic concerns or discomfort if they become large.
Epidermoid cysts are common skin-colored lumps that can grow on the scalp. These cysts originate from trapped surface skin cells that multiply and form a sac filled with keratin, a protein found in skin and hair. Epidermoid cysts can range in size, often feel firm and dome-shaped, and may have a small central pore. Although benign, they can occasionally rupture, leading to inflammation and tenderness.
Signs That Warrant Medical Attention
While many head bumps are benign, certain characteristics or accompanying symptoms should prompt a medical consultation. A bump that rapidly increases in size, changes shape, color, or texture, or begins to bleed spontaneously warrants professional evaluation.
Additional symptoms alongside a head bump can also be concerning. If the bump is accompanied by significant pain, warmth, or redness, it might indicate an infection or inflammation requiring treatment. Systemic symptoms such as fever, persistent headache, changes in vision, or any new neurological symptoms like weakness or numbness, especially after a head injury, require immediate medical attention.
A bump that persists for an extended period without showing signs of resolution should be examined by a doctor. This is particularly true for any new or unusual bumps in adults, especially those that feel hard, fixed to underlying tissue, or deep beneath the skin’s surface. These signs warrant a diagnostic workup to rule out any underlying issues.
Diagnosis and Management
When a head bump causes concern, a medical consultation is the initial step to determine its nature. During a doctor’s visit, the healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical examination of the bump, assessing its size, texture, mobility, and any associated tenderness or inflammation. The doctor will also gather a detailed medical history, including when the bump first appeared, how it has changed, and any accompanying symptoms.
To aid in diagnosis, the doctor might recommend specific diagnostic tools. A biopsy, which involves removing a small tissue sample from the bump for microscopic analysis, is a common procedure to determine its nature, especially if malignancy is suspected. Imaging studies, such as an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be used to visualize deeper structures or assess the bump’s characteristics.
Management of head bumps varies widely depending on the diagnosis. Many benign bumps, like small sebaceous cysts or lipomas, may simply be observed if they are not causing symptoms. For inflammatory conditions or infections, topical creams, oral antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Surgical removal is a common treatment option for cysts, lipomas, or other benign tumors that are symptomatic, growing, or causing cosmetic concern.