Volcano Red Spot On Scalp, Hydrogen Peroxide, Neosporin

Posted on Mon, 23 May 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 23 May 2011 Answered on

Fri, 5 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a spot on my scalp that now looks like a volcanoe, red rimmed, XXXXXXX hole. It started with what I thought was a tiny scab about 6 or so weeks ago. Tonight when I combed my hair, a kinda clear scalp skin scab came off with a tiny amount or white granular powder under it. And the volcanoe rim surrounding a hole. I used hydrogen peroxide to clean it and neosporin.

Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query.

From the symptoms that you have described, It will be very helpful for me in understanding your condition better if you could answer some of these questions:

1)     Is the lump painful?
2)     Since when are you having this spot?
3)     Does it drain any white sebum like discharge?

It can be an epidermoid cyst or a keratoacanthoma (more likely). Keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing skin malignancy usually appearing as a volcano-like bump on the sun-exposed skin of middle-aged and elderly individuals and is very commonly found on scalp. It starts as a small pimple and grows rapidly over the course of 2–6 weeks causing a volcano like nodule with a central depression filled with white keratin.

To confirm the diagnosis, you need to get it examined from a dermatologist and get a biopsy skin done.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar