Bump on the Scalp: Causes & Symptoms

A bump on the scalp is usually a harmless lump such as a pilar cyst, an inflamed hair follicle, a lipoma or swelling after a knock. Most are not dangerous, but a lump that grows, feels hard and fixed, bleeds, or is still there after 2 weeks should be checked by a doctor.

Bumps on scalp skin are easy to find with a comb and hard to see in a mirror, which makes them worrying. This guide explains the common types, what causes them, how a doctor tells them apart, what treatment involves, and the warning signs listed by the NHS. It does not diagnose your lump; only an examination can do that.

The photo shows a typical scalp cyst: a smooth, rounded, skin-coloured lump that lifts the skin and pushes the hair aside. The uploader labelled it a sebaceous cyst, an old name that, as explained below, is used for both pilar and epidermoid cysts. Appearance alone is not a diagnosis.

What Is Bump on Scalp?

"Bump on scalp" covers anything raised on or under the skin of the head. The NHS says it is common for people to get lumps and growths on their skin, that they can be soft or hard, may move around, and range from very small to the size of a golf ball. Most lumps are harmless.

The usual scalp bumps fall into four groups: inflamed follicles (pimples, folliculitis, boils), cysts, fatty lumps (lipomas) and growths on the skin surface. Swelling after a head injury is a fifth, separate case.

The diagram shows how deep each type usually sits. That depth is one of the first things a doctor feels for, because a spot sits in the follicle near the surface while a cyst or lipoma lies further down.

What Does It Mean When You Get a Bump on Your Scalp?

It usually means a follicle has become blocked or inflamed, a small cyst has formed, or the skin has reacted to a knock. The NHS advises not to self-diagnose and to see a GP if you are worried or the lump is still there after 2 weeks.

What Is a Pilar Cyst?

A pilar cyst, also called a trichilemmal cyst, is a keratin-filled cyst that starts in the outer root sheath of a hair follicle. DermNet says about 90% are found on the scalp, and they are usually diagnosed in middle-aged women. They often run in families, and each child of an affected parent has a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the tendency.

Can Trichilemmal Cysts Become Cancerous?

Very rarely. DermNet says trichilemmal cysts occur in 5 to 10% of the population and about 2% of these develop into a proliferating trichilemmal cyst, which is usually benign but in rare cases becomes malignant. Rapid growth is unusual and may be a sign of infection or malignancy, so a cyst that suddenly grows needs a doctor.

What Causes Bumps on Scalp?

The main bump on scalp causes are:

• Inflamed follicles: acne spots, folliculitis and boils; see our guide to pimples on the scalp.
• Cysts: pilar cysts and epidermoid cysts, which the NHS says are more likely if a family member has them, if you are middle-aged or if you have acne.
• Lipomas: soft, fatty lumps under the skin that grow slowly.
• Injury: swelling or a bruise after hitting your head.
• Skin growths: growths on sun-exposed skin; the NHS lists the head among the most common sites for non-melanoma skin cancer.

Cyst on scalp causes are often unknown. The NHS says anyone can get a skin cyst and it is not always known why. Lumps on scalp causes linked to infection, such as a boil, are covered in our guide to folliculitis pictures.

Why Is There a Little Bump on My Scalp?

A little bump is most often a spot, an inflamed follicle or a small cyst. Itchy bumps along the hairline can be scalp folliculitis, which DermNet describes as small, very itchy pustules. Watch it for 2 weeks; if it stays the same or grows, have it checked.

Why Do I Have a Big Bump on My Scalp?

A larger, smooth, firm bump is often a pilar cyst; DermNet says these measure 0.5 to 5 cm. A soft, squashy lump that moves may be a lipoma. A swollen, painful lump with a high temperature can be an abscess, which the NHS says needs medical help.

Bump on the Scalp: Signs and Symptoms

Bumps on scalp symptoms depend on the type:

• Cyst: round, smooth lump under the skin that grows slowly and can catch on a brush.
• Lipoma: soft and squishy, may move slightly when pressed, usually painless.
• Inflamed follicle or boil: red, tender, sometimes with pus.
• Injury: swelling and bruising that appear soon after a knock.

Cancerous cyst on scalp symptoms and cancer lump on scalp symptoms are less common. The NHS lists a growth that gets bigger or changes colour or texture, or one that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks.

How Bump on the Scalp Is Diagnosed

The NHS says a GP will look at the lump and may be able to tell what is causing it. If they are unsure, they may refer you for a biopsy, where a small sample is removed and tested, or an ultrasound scan. For lipomas, the NHS adds that a scan may be used if there is doubt.

What's the Difference Between a Pilar Cyst and a Sebaceous Cyst?

"Sebaceous cyst" is an old name. DermNet calls it a misnomer, because these cysts do not involve sebaceous glands or contain sebum. The NHS notes that both epidermoid cysts and pilar cysts are sometimes called sebaceous cysts.

How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Trichilemmal Cysts?

Most are recognised by touch and appearance: a firm, mobile lump under the skin without a central punctum. DermNet says the tissue under a microscope is characteristic, so a removed cyst can be sent to a laboratory to confirm the type.

This is what the laboratory sees after a pilar cyst is removed: solid keratin filling the cyst, swollen keratinocytes lining it, and a fibrous capsule around the outside. This lining pattern is what lets a pathologist confirm the cyst type.

How to Treat Bumps on Scalp?

Bump on scalp treatment depends on the cause. The NHS says skin cysts do not need treatment if they are not causing problems. Lipomas are harmless and do not usually need removal. Inflamed follicles often settle with washing and warm compresses. A painful bump on scalp treatment plan, such as draining a boil or giving antibiotics, comes from a doctor.

What Is the Treatment for Pilar Cysts?

DermNet says pilar cysts do not need removal if they cause no symptoms. When they do, they can be removed under local anaesthetic, either whole or through a small incision. The NHS notes that removal leaves a small scar once the wound heals.

Home and Natural Remedies for Bump on the Scalp

Bumps on scalp home remedies are limited to comfort and avoiding harm:

• For a red, painful spot, hold a warm, wet cloth against it for 10 minutes, 4 times a day, as the NHS advises for boils.
• For swelling after a knock, the NHS suggests an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel for short periods in the first few days.
• Use a wide-toothed comb and avoid catching the lump.
• Do not squeeze, cut or pierce a bump. The NHS warns that a burst cyst could become infected.

For itchy bumps on scalp, home remedies start with gentle washing and a medicated shampoo; our page on scalp yeast infection covers which ones have evidence.

How Long Does It Take for a Bump on the Head to Disappear?

After a minor head injury, the NHS says symptoms can last up to 2 weeks, and you should see a GP if they last longer. For bump on head how long to ice, the NHS advice is short, regular sessions in the first few days. A cyst or lipoma does not go away on its own and may slowly grow.

How to Prevent Bump on the Scalp

You cannot prevent every scalp bump. To lower the risk of inflamed follicles, wash sweat and products out of the scalp, avoid sharing towels and combs, and treat dandruff early. Protect your scalp from sun with a hat, since the NHS lists the head among the sites most affected by non-melanoma skin cancer.

How Can I Prevent Trichilemmal Cysts?

There is no known way to prevent them. DermNet notes they often run in families, and the NHS says it is not always known why cysts form. What you can do is leave them alone: the NHS warns that a squeezed cyst can burst and become infected, and DermNet notes that removing a troublesome cyst before it ruptures prevents scarring.

When to See a Doctor About Bump on the Scalp

The NHS lists these signs as reasons to see a GP about any lump. For bump on head when to see a doctor after an injury, use the urgent list in the box below.

• It gets bigger, or grows back after removal.
• It is painful, red or hot.
• It is hard and does not move.
• It lasts more than 2 weeks.
• It bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks.

After a head injury, call emergency services if the person was knocked out and has not woken, cannot stay awake, has a seizure, has clear fluid from the ears or nose, new weakness, or problems with vision, speech or balance. Get urgent advice if they are vomiting, dizzy, or take blood-thinning medicine, according to the NHS.

Raised Bump on Scalp

A raised bump on scalp skin that sits on the surface, rather than under it, is often a spot or a skin growth. Smooth, dome-shaped bumps under the skin are more likely cysts. If you have had a hair transplant, the 2026 review in Frontiers in Medicine lists epidermal inclusion cysts among known complications of FUE, so mention any new bump in the grafted or donor area to your medical team. See our page on hair transplant side effects.

Not every raised bump on the scalp is a cyst or a spot. Here the lumps are firm, shiny scar tissue sitting on the surface at the back of the head, with no hair growing through them. Raised scars like these need a doctor's assessment, and appearance alone is not a diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bumps, Scars and Hair Restoration

A scalp lump should be checked by a doctor before any hair restoration is planned. If thinning is your main concern, send clear photos for a free hair analysis. Turkey Hair Center is a Ministry of Health authorized health-tourism intermediary, and procedures take place at authorized partner hospitals. You can also use the contact page.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual results and recovery vary from person to person. Always follow the written aftercare plan from your own medical team.