If you develop bumps on your facial skin, take careful note of the appearance, color and exact location, recommends FamilyDoctor.org. These clues may help you to identify what type of rash it is and whether you should seek medical assistance. If you are worried or have bothersome or persistent symptoms, contact your doctor sooner rather than later.
Types
Bumps on the face can be one of many types of skin irritation, disease or reaction. If your infant has bumps on his face, it may be milia, commonly called infant acne. Adolescents and young adults often suffer from acne, which itself comes in many forms, from blackheads and whiteheads to pimples and pustules. Your bumps may be a reaction to a medication or food or the result of being bitten by an insect. Bumps around the hair follicles on the face may be folliculitis, a type of infection.
Identification
You may be able to identify the type of bumps that you have on your face by paying attention to any other symptoms that are present, as well as what may have occured before you noticed the bumps. If you recently consumed a new food, or if you were gardening where poison ivy plants grow, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. If your child has a fever and a cough along with bumps on her face, she may have a viral infection, such as chickenpox or measles. Bumps around the mouth and nose that itch and blister may be impetigo. If you are unsure what is causing the bumps on your facial skin, see your physician or a dermatologist.
Warnings
In some cases, bumps on the face could be serious and require medical evaluation and treatment. If you suffer from hives due to an allergic reaction, for example, you could, in rare cases, go into anaphylactic shock and experience potentially life-threatening swelling in your throat and tongue, according to the Mayo Clinic. While most of the time insect bites are harmless, if you are bitten by a poisonous spider, you might be at risk for serious complications. MedlinePlus recommends capturing any spider that has bitten you and having it identified if possible. Sometimes, folliculitis or impetigo can spread and require treatment with antibiotics.
Prevention
Prevent acne by washing your face regularly and gently with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser --- and by only using products marked "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free," recommends KidsHealth. Avoid substances that you are allergic to to prevent hives. Get your children vaccinated against viruses such as chickenpox and measles to prevent these conditions. Use insect repellents when appropriate, and avoid attracting insects when possible to prevent bites. No matter what the cause of your bumps, keep your hands off of them and don't pick at or squeeze any rash.
Treatment
The treatment for bumps on the face depends on the cause of the rash. Your dermatologist can give you medication to treat moderate to severe acne. You may need an antibiotic to treat folliculitis and other infections. If you have hives, you may need an antihistamine to bring down the bumps; severe cases may require corticosteroids, and life-threatening anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine, which is a type of adrenaline.
