What Causes Bumps On Head Located Right Under Skin?

Posted on Fri, 26 Dec 2014

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

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 Answered on

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hi, I just felt like a bump or lump on top of head or just a bit on the back of middle of the head, my personal opinion I had felt like a pimple & I played with it or try to take out the puss with my nail that where long at the time . so it hurts a little because of that, & naturally I ve been going through anxiety & fear of death ideas so I had a text exam done 3 months ago, all came out good. then I bought a life insurance and they did their tests & they granted me my insurance . but I feel a little bump that may have appear after maybe getting while playing with the kids or for scratching & sticking my nail on it.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sebaceus cyst (benign lesion) is the most probable reason of this lump.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Bumps on head located right under the skin should not cause anxiety and should not be the reason to concern. In great majority of cases such bump is benign lesion.
Most commonly bump or lump on the head (can be in multiply locations) is a sebaceus cyst. It can be palpated as a rounded, smooth and movable lump. Usually is mildly hard when palpating it.
Sebaceus cyst is a benign lump, filled with whitish substance and surrounded by a thin capsule. It never turns into a cancer. The only problem which it gives (especially when squeezing or manipulating it) is an infection. It can get infected. And infected cysts gives pain, tenderness, redness. The pain can sometimes radiate to whole head. Even fever can appear.

I suggest you to show this lump to a dermatologist or general surgeon. It should be removed with small incision and local anesthesia (it is important to remove whole bump with a capsule, otherwise it can regrow).

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)

thank you DR. , well so far since I probably touched it too much with this anxiety and all, what do you recommend I put on it, or anything at home that I should do?
It only hurts very little if I touch it & since I did a lot even encrusted my nails on it , wanted to see if any ice or should I just leave it alone.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Leave it alone - that’s the best you can do.

Detailed Answer:
The best you can do right now is to leave it alone. As it hurts only a little, infection is rather not present.
So no need to put any ice or cream on it, just leave it alone.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju