What Bump is That?

6. Fibrous Papule

Another addition to benign bumps on the face, fibrous papules are small bumps that may resemble a pimple or a mole and are chronic. They are also similar to basal cell carcinoma, which is malignant, but the difference is that BCC grows faster.

Causes: They develop spontaneously during the adolescence or early adulthood stage, and the precise reason why they appear is still unknown.

Treatment: Fibrous papule removal is also an outpatient procedure and can be done using shaving, curettage, elliptical excision, or laser treatment. But unlike seborrhoeic warts, fibrous papules are known to return after being removed.

7. Cysts

Appearing much like blisters, cysts are bumps that are filled with liquid, semi-solid, or gaseous substance. While many cysts appear in the skin, they also appear in internal organs like the brain and the kidney.

Causes: There are many reasons why cysts develop including clogged oil glands and infections, but can also be symptoms of underlying medical conditions like tumours and parasites.

Treatment: Cysts are generally benign, but they don’t go away on their own so they need to be removed through surgery or cortisonemedication injection.

8. Keratosis Pilaris or Chicken Skin

Usually mistaken for acne, keratosis pilaris causes rough, acne-like small bumps on the skin. This is also called follicular keratosis  and is also chronic and generally harmless.

Causes: Like some of the skin conditions above, the exact cause of keratosis pilaris is unknown; however, genetics and a history of allergies are strong factors.

Treatment: Because the causes are unclear, there is also no specific treatment for keratosis pilaris. But the rule of thumb is to keep the affected areas regularly moisturised.

Writer’s note: I have keratosis pilaris, and what works for me is Cetaphil Restoraderm.

9. Basal Cell Carcinoma

Unlike most of the skin diseases mentioned above, basal cell carcinoma, just like what the name implies, is malignant and cancerous. It is basically a type of skin cancer that forms in the basal cells.

Causes: Ultra-violet rays are the main cause of basal cell carcinoma. The two main sources of UV rays, in turn, are the sun and artificial tanning beds.

Treatment: The most common ways to treat basal cell carcinoma are excision, curettage and desiccation. A doctor may also perform cryosurgery.

Prevention: The only way to prevent basal cell carcinoma from developing is by minimising exposure to UV rays. This means avoiding using tanning beds and using sufficient sun protection when out and about.

10. Melanoma

Skin cancer takes on several forms, and the most serious form is said to be melanoma. This form of cancer develops in the melanocytes or the skin cells that produce pigmentation.

Causes: Like basal cell carcinoma, the primary culprit of melanoma is exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun and tanning lamps and beds.

Treatment: A surgeon will remove melanoma through excision, Mohs surgery, skin grafting, and in some cases, chemotherapy.

Prevention: Again, it is best to limit exposure to any form of ultra-violet rays.

Bumps on the face are not something to be ashamed of, but we need to make sure we get the proper diagnosis and treatment.  

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic

• http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/acne/acne_ff.asp

• http://www.patient.co.uk/health/milia-leaflet

• http://www.patient.co.uk/health/seborrhoeic-warts-leaflet

• http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-fibrous-papules.htm

• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160821.php

• http://www.medicinenet.com/keratosis_pilaris/article.htm

• http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/basal-cell-carcinoma