The skin on your neck is typically smooth and free of lumps and bumps. However, there are many cases when a bump or bumps develop beneath the neck skin, causing irritation and pain. In rare cases, a neck bump may be a sign of the formation of a tumor in the neck. It's important to regularly check your neck for skin irregularities so you can have your doctor determine whether they are benign or serious.
Bumps from Inflammation
Bumps can develop when pus builds up under the skin from an inflammatory reaction. Pus consists of millions of white blood cells, primarily monocytes or macrophages, which build up under the skin because of infection. Red bumps on the neck may be acne pimples or cystic acne, caused by acne-related bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, or Staphylococcus epidermis, more commonly referred to as staph.
Scar Tissue
Bumps can also develop on the neck from the formation of scar tissue. When a scar forms, the tissue is largely made up of fibroblasts. If fibroblasts develop in areas of the body where there is consistent tension or movement, such as the neck, the scar tissue can take on an inconsistent and bumpy texture in relation to the smooth surrounding skin.
Sebacious Cysts
Sebum is a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands of your skin. Sebacious glands are located near hair follicles and transport sebum to the skin. When the hair follicle becomes inflamed, or if a skin trauma happens near the sebaceous gland, small sacs of the protein keratin can form near the gland, resulting in sebacious cysts. These small lumps are typically painless, but may become tender if they form on an area of the neck where regular friction occurs, such as where your shirt line is.
Dangers
Not all lumps under the skin of the neck are benign. If an irregular bump develops under the skin of your neck, have your doctor examine it. In rare cases, these bumps can be a sign of cancer, such as thyroid cancer or parathyroid cancer.
Treatment Methods
There are several treatment options for neck bumps, depending on your doctor's diagnosis. With some bumps, such as small benign cysts, the best treatment may be to leave the bump alone. In other cases, such as swollen bumps from pus buildup, your doctor may use a sterilized needle to puncture the bump and release some of the bacteria build-up to reduce swelling. In more serious cases, or in cases were bumps are a constant annoyance, your doctor may be able to remove them through surgery.
