What Causes Pimple Like Bumps On Scalp?

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

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

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have pimple like bumps on my head, they come and go,but are painful to the touch,I don't know what causes them.they do not come to a head and often hang around for 2 weeks or more.got any ideas?
My email is YYYY@YYYY
Thank you
Ps they are about an 1/2 inch in width and about 1/4 an inch tall

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Infected acne vs sebaceous cyst

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I presume the bumps are on the forehead and face when you generally mentioned head. Correct me if I am wrong. With this assumption, the likely condition is related to recurring skin gland infection most probably involving acne or sebaceous gland. Presence of pain, large bump that are most likely red and inflammed are all symptoms of localised skin infection.

Since these are recurring feature, I feel you will benefit with prophylactic antibiotics involving either doxycycline. You should also consider checking if blood sugars are under control. I suggest you ask for dermatologist referral. He/she can have a closer look on this bump. You can start antibiotic prophylaxis if there are no contraindications.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 hours later)

No, they are on my scalp and they are hard lumps not soft pimples. They do not reappear in the same spots when they recur.but new places on my head. They are not on my face at all but once I had one in my nose but that was only once a long time ago. Neomycin does not seem to help. They come and go on their on . Sometimes only one but occ. two at one time on diff. Parts of my scalp.thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I stick to the possibility of infection...

Detailed Answer:
As these are not papule sized painful bumps, I stick to the possibility of infective condition. But this time, I feel those involve hair follicles. Sometimes ingrown hair lead to similar painful bumps.

Since the cause seems to be related to infection, you definitely need to reassess blood sugar control.

Some of those localised skin infection hardly responds to topical antibiotic. The reasons being thick impenetrable scalp, presence of pus collection and resistent bacteria. Oral antibiotics work much better than topical antiseptics. Therefore my suggestion to try oral antibiotics.

Do consider my suggestions. Visit a dermatologist and I am sure you can get this sorted over the next few months.

Regards

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