It can be concerning to notice a bump on your nose that appears to be growing. While many nose bumps are harmless, their growth can signal various underlying conditions, ranging from common skin issues to more complex medical concerns. Understanding the potential reasons behind such changes can help in determining the appropriate next steps for evaluation.
Potential Causes for a Growing Nose Bump
Inflammatory or infectious processes frequently cause bumps on the nose to enlarge. Common examples include acne cysts, which are deep, tender nodules formed when oil glands and hair follicles become clogged and inflamed. Boils, also known as furuncles, are painful, pus-filled infections of hair follicles caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which can grow significantly as the infection progresses. Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles, can also manifest as small, red, tender bumps that may enlarge if the infection spreads. Similarly, sebaceous cysts, benign sacs filled with sebum, can swell and become tender if they rupture or become infected.
Beyond inflammatory issues, several benign skin growths can develop on the nose and gradually increase in size. Moles, or nevi, are common skin growths that can change in size, shape, or color over time, appearing as raised, pigmented lesions. Sebaceous hyperplasia involves enlarged oil glands, presenting as small, yellowish, often donut-shaped bumps with a central indentation. Fibromas, lipomas, and dermatofibromas are other benign growths that can slowly enlarge. Keloids and hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars forming after skin injury or surgery, can also expand beyond the original wound boundaries.
Chronic skin conditions also contribute to nasal enlargement. Rosacea, a common skin condition causing redness and visible blood vessels, can progress to a severe form called rhinophyma. This condition leads to a bulbous, enlarged, and discolored nose due to the thickening of the skin and the proliferation of sebaceous glands. The nose’s surface may appear irregular and bumpy, with prominent pores, as the tissue accumulates over years.
In some instances, a growing nose bump may indicate a malignant growth, such as skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, often appearing as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion, or a sore that heals and then recurs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) can present as a firm, red nodule, a scaly patch, or a sore that doesn’t heal, and both BCC and SCC can grow steadily. Melanoma, while less common on the nose, is the most serious type of skin cancer. It can appear as a new, unusual growth or a change in an existing mole, often characterized by asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, and a diameter larger than 6mm, with potential for rapid growth.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
Certain characteristics of a growing nose bump warrant prompt medical evaluation:
- Rapid growth, especially if sudden and quick.
- Associated pain, tenderness, or persistent itching.
- Bleeding from the bump, particularly if recurrent or without injury.
- Changes in color, such as darkening, developing multiple colors, or unusual redness.
- Alterations in texture, like becoming scaly, crusty, or ulcerated.
- Irregular borders, indistinct edges, or an asymmetrical shape.
- Any bump that does not resolve within a few weeks or continues to grow.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Nose Bumps
Doctors typically begin diagnosing a nose bump with a thorough physical examination, carefully observing the bump’s size, shape, color, texture, and location. They will also inquire about your medical history, including when the bump first appeared, how quickly it has grown, any associated symptoms like pain or bleeding, and your personal or family history of skin conditions or skin cancer. This initial assessment helps to narrow down the potential causes.
If the nature of the bump remains unclear after the examination, a biopsy is often performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis. A shave biopsy involves removing only the outermost layers of skin with a razor blade, suitable for raised lesions. A punch biopsy uses a circular tool to remove a small core of skin, including deeper layers, providing a more comprehensive sample. For larger or suspicious lesions, an excisional biopsy may be performed, where the entire bump and a small margin of surrounding tissue are surgically removed. The tissue sample is then sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination.
Treatment approaches for nose bumps vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Inflammatory or infectious bumps might be treated with topical medications, oral antibiotics, or drainage of pus. Benign growths may be monitored or surgically excised if they cause cosmetic concern or irritation. Chronic conditions like rhinophyma can be managed with laser therapy or surgical reshaping to reduce tissue bulk. Malignant growths, such as skin cancers, often require surgical excision, cryotherapy (freezing), or laser therapy. For certain skin cancers on the nose, Mohs micrographic surgery is often preferred, as this specialized procedure removes cancerous tissue layer by layer, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.