Raised skin bumps are very common, and for the most parts they’re harmless. Skin bumps can vary in look and number depending on the cause. They might be the very same color as your skin or a various color. They might be itchy or non-itchy, large or small. Some can be tough while others can feel soft and movable.
They can arise from a variety of conditions, including:
- an infection
- an allergic reaction
- a skin condition
- skin cancer
The majority of skin bumps do not require treatment. However, you must talk to your doctor if your bumps are triggering discomfort. You ought to likewise call your doctor if you’re concerned about any changes in your bumps or in the total condition of your skin.
Causes and Types of Raised Skin Bumps
Lots of conditions can cause raised bumps to appear on your skin. The most common causes of bumps are safe and do not require medical treatment, unless you have discomfort. Here are some of the possible factors for raised skin bumps:
- Skin tags are small, fleshy flaps of skin. They generally grow on the neck or in the armpits. They may be the exact same color as the skin or a little darker.
- Acne is the most typical skin condition in the United States, inning accordance with the American Academy of
- Dermatology. It causes skin bumps that can range from really small and painless to large and painful. The bumps are normally accompanied by redness and swelling.
- Warts are raised, rough bumps caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They generally develop on the hands and feet. They may be skin-colored, pink, or somewhat brown.
- Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition marked by an overgrowth of a protein called keratin. It causes small bumps around hair follicles on the body.
- Cysts are growths which contain fluid, air, or other compounds. They establish under the skin in any part of the body. They feel like a small ball and can usually be walked around slightly.
- Boils are infected hair follicles that appear like red, raised bumps on the skin. They can be painful, however they eventually disappear when they burst and release fluid.
- Allergic eczema is an allergic skin response that produces an itchy, red skin rash. The rash might include raised, red bumps that ooze, drain, or crust.
- Keloids are smooth, raised growths that form around scars. They are most typically found on the chest, shoulders, and cheeks.
- Corns or calluses are rough, thickened areas of skin. They are frequently discovered on the feet and hands.
- Moles are flat or raised bumps on the skin that are generally benign. They can be skin-colored or dark brown.
- Molluscum contagiosum are little, flesh-colored bumps with a dimple in the center that frequently form in all parts of the body. They can develop from skin-to-skin contact with someone impacted with them.
- Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaly, itchy, red spots to form on the skin. It can affect any area of the body.
- Insect stings and bites are typically itchy and swollen. They may cause pain that sticks around.
- Cold sores are red, fluid-filled bumps that form around the mouth or other areas of the face, which can burst. They are brought on by a common virus called herpes simplex.
- Angiomas are common skin growths that can form on many areas of the body. They establish when capillary clump together and develop a raised, bright red bump under or on the skin.
- Lipomas are collections of fatty tissue under the skin and are often pain-free. They typically form on the neck, back, or shoulders.
- Seborrheic keratoses are round, rough spots on the surface area of the skin. They can affect numerous areas of the body, consisting of the chest, shoulders, and back. They may be skin-colored, brown, or black.
Less frequently, raised skin bumps are triggered by more severe conditions that need treatment. Specific bacterial and viral infections cause bumps and will just worsen if they go undiagnosed and unattended. These severe conditions include:
- scabies, a skin infestation triggered by a small mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, producing an itchy, pimple-like rash
genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes painful, fluid-filled bumps to form in the genital area - scarlet fever, an infection caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, which activates an intense red, bumpy “sandpaper” rash on the body
- syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection triggered by Treponema pallidum bacteria, triggering little, pain-free sores to form on the sexual organs, in the anus, or inside the mouth
- chickenpox, a common childhood virus identified by red, itchy bumps that form all over the body
- genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) triggered by particular strains of HPV, resulting in painful or itchy warts on the genital areas
- MRSA (staph) infection, a disease activated by a staph bacteria that frequently resides on the skin, triggering a swollen, painful bump with a white center
Other types of raised skin bumps can be caused by skin cancer. There are numerous types of skin cancer, all requiring medical management and treatment:
- Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition defined by scaly, crusty spots on areas of sun-exposed skin, such as hands, arms, or face. These spots are normally brown, gray, or pink. The affected area might itch or burn.
- Basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that impacts the top layer of skin. It produces painful bumps that bleed in the early stages. The associated bumps appear on sun-exposed skin and might be discolored, shiny, or scar-like.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the squamous cells. These cells make up the outermost layer of skin. The condition causes scaly, red spots and raised sores to develop on the skin. These unusual growths frequently form in areas exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
- Melanoma is the least common however most serious kind of skin cancer. It starts as an atypical mole. Malignant moles are often unbalanced, multi-colored, and big, with irregular borders. They can appear anywhere on the body.
When to See a Doctor About Raised Skin Bumps
Most skin bumps are harmless and aren’t cause for issue. Nevertheless, you should see your doctor if:
- skin bumps change or aggravate in look, or last for a long time
- you are in pain or they cause pain
- you do not know the cause of the bumps
- you presume you have an infection or skin cancer
Your doctor will carry out a physical examination and examine the skin bumps Expect to address concerns about your bumps, case history, and lifestyle routines.
Your doctor may also carry out a skin biopsy to test if the skin bump is cancerous. This procedure involves taking a small sample of skin tissue from the afflicted area for analysis. Depending on the results, your doctor may refer you to a skin specialist or other expert for further evaluation.
Treatment for Raised Skin Bumps
Treatment for raised skin bumps depends upon the underlying cause. The majority of the typical causes of skin bumps are harmless, so you most likely won’t need treatment. However, if your skin bumps are bothering you, you might be able to have them eliminated for cosmetic factors. For example, a dermatologist can eliminate skin tags or warts by freezing them off. A skin doctor can likewise surgically get rid of certain skin bumps, consisting of cysts and lipomas. Other bumps that are itchy or inflamed may be treated with topical lotions and creams.
In cases where additional medical treatment is needed, your doctor will prescribe medications that can assist eliminate your skin bumps and the underlying cause. For a bacterial infection, such as MRSA, you might need antibiotics. For a viral infection, such as chickenpox, your doctor may suggest non-prescription medications and home treatments. Some viral infections, such as herpes, cannot be treated. Nevertheless, your doctor can give you medications to ease symptoms.
If your doctor discovers that your skin bumps are cancerous or precancerous, they will most likely remove the bumps completely. You will likewise need to go to regular follow-up appointments so your doctor can inspect the area and ensure the cancer does not come back.
Long-lasting Outlook for Raised Skin Bumps
For the majority of skin bumps, the long-lasting outlook is outstanding. Most of bumps are triggered by safe, temporary conditions that do not need treatment. If skin bumps are caused by an infection or long-term condition, timely medical treatment should either clear it up or successfully ease the symptoms. The outlook is also excellent when skin cancer is caught early. Nevertheless, frequent follow-ups will be required to make sure the cancer does not return or grow. The outlook for advanced types of skin cancer varies with each scenario.
