Small, white-headed bumps can occur on the skin for a variety of reasons, including skin conditions and environmental factors. Because skin bumps can be embarrassing and damaging to your self-esteem, it is important to understand what causes them to occur and how they can be treated.
Symptoms
Small bumps on the skin with white tips can be accompanied by redness, inflammation, a burning sensation, skin irritation, tenderness and the tendency to easily blush. The bump's white center is typically due to pus trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Bumps can occur anywhere on the skin including the face, chest, shoulders, neck and back. These are the areas with the most oil glands.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic website says that white-tipped bumps on the skin can occur due to acne. Pimples develop when excess oil becomes blocked inside the pore along with dirt and dead skin cells. Skin bumps and boils can also occur due to folliculitis, which is an infection in the hair follicles. In addition, the skin condition rosacea, which causes inflammation of blood vessels, can result in pustules.
Treatments
A variety of over-the-counter medications can help slough off dead cells and rid the skin of excess oil, which can contribute to white-headed bumps on the skin. These medications often contain ingredients such as sulfur, salicylic acid, resorcinol and benzoyl peroxide. A doctor can also prescribe prescription-strength medications such as tretinoin and oral antibiotics. To help the white pus drain from a skin bump, the Kids Health website recommends soaking in a hot bath or applying a heating pad.
Prevention
To prevent white-tipped bumps from occurring on the skin, it is important to use only powder-based makeup instead of oil-based cosmetics. This is because creamy products can irritate the skin and clog pores easier. In addition, wash all makeup off before going to bed at night. Because rosacea bumps can be caused by exposure to sun, stress, hot temperatures, spicy foods and alcohol, avoid known triggers.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic website says that bumps on the skin, when due to acne or skin conditions such as rosacea, can run in families. It can also occur in people who have fair skin or tend to blush easily. Pressure and friction, caused by close contact with phones, tight clothing, backpacks and sports equipment can also contribute to the formation of white centered bumps on the skin.
