That pristine skin you had as a child is long gone, as scars and other tiny imperfections pile up. Lumps and bumps on your skin really are a normal part of the skin’s aging process — and in most cases, they’re not cause for concern.
There are some exceptions, however, and lumps or bumps that don’t go away and occasionally bleed are certainly among them. In fact (spoiler alert), if you have a bump on your skin that doesn’t heal and sometimes bleeds, you should come see us as soon as possible.
As experts in all things skin-related, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Juan-Carlos Caballero and our team at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center want you to consider the following if you’re dealing with a skin bump that sometimes bleeds.
When patients come to us with suspicious bumps on their skin that don’t go away, are slow to heal, or periodically bleed, our first concern is skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and there are several types, including:
Far and away, the most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma — about 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and 80% are BCCs.
With both basal and squamous cell carcinomas, people can develop lumps and sores on their skin that can bleed and crust over. If they are carcinomas, they generally won’t get better and often grow worse or larger (or both). In some cases, these carcinomas might heal over, only to open back up again.
It’s also important to note that BCCs and SCCs often develop on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and hands. The good news is that skin cancers are highly treatable, and the sooner we can get in and remove the lesion, the better.
Another common cause of bumps on the skin is acne, which affects about 50 million Americans at any given time. If you pick at your acne or it’s severe, these bumps can bleed.
While acne may not be medically serious, if your acne is so severe that it bleeds, you may be prone to acne scarring, so it’s a good idea for you to come see us for professional-grade acne treatments.
If your skin is susceptible to certain allergens, you can develop rashes in response. Called contact dermatitis, these rashes are normally manageable. Severe cases, however, can include blisters that bleed and ooze.
As well, severe cases of eczema can very much lead to bumps on your skin that look more like blisters, and these blisters can also bleed and ooze. We have treatments for both conditions to help you better manage the reactions in your skin.
Another common skin disorder that can lead to bumps that bleed are pyogenic granulomas. Thankfully, this is a harmless condition characterized by a raised bump on your skin or mucous membranes. These benign growths involve blood vessels, which makes them prone to breaking open and bleeding.
Pyogenic granulomas often develop in pregnant women and go away after birth. For non-pregnant people who develop these bumps, we can remove the lesion during a quick in-office visit.
While this list is far from complete, it gives you an idea of the many different possibilities behind bumps on your skin that bleed. Given that the various possibilities range from benign to cancerous, it’s an excellent idea to come in for an evaluation as soon as possible.
To get the ball rolling, contact Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center in Warrenton, Virginia, at 540-341-1900 today. You can also request an appointment online via our texting app at your convenience.
