Pyogenic granuloma
Effective medications to treat skin bumps at home
Pyogenic granuloma is a skin growth that looks like a reddish, raised bump. It usually appears on the hands, fingers or face.
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A pyogenic granuloma is a small, harmless growth that appears on the skin. It appears as an overgrowth of tiny blood vessels that form a pink, red, or purple bump. These bumps are quite small, usually not larger than 1cm across. Although it may look concerning, it’s not a type of cancer, it’s not contagious and doesn’t result from an infection.
Pyogenic granulomas are often found on the hand, fingers or face. They can be fragile and may ooze and bleed if touched. These raised and moist bumps are usually painless but can cause inflammation in the surrounding skin.
They have many names including lobular capillary haemangioma. They’re also known as granuloma gravidarum or pregnancy tumour when they happen during pregnancy.
Pyogenic granulomas often show up on the fingers and face. Oral pyogenic granulomas appear inside the mouth and appear as bumps on the lips or gums (gingiva). These bumps can vary in size and may have a yellowish, pink or red colour.
They can also be found in other places like the eyes, nose and scalp. Ocular (of the eyes) pyogenic granulomas can affect the eyelid or the conjunctiva (the thin tissue that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids).
Pyogenic granulomas can affect people of any age, race or gender. They are more commonly seen in children around 6 years old, teenagers, young adults and pregnant people. During pregnancy, they are often referred to as granuloma gravidarum, granuloma of pregnancy, or epulis gravidarum.
More men than women tend to get pyogenic granulomas (out of every five people who get them, three will be male). However, oral pyogenic granulomas are more common in women during pregnancy or when using birth control pills.
Pyogenic granulomas are fairly common, particularly in pregnant women. But it's difficult to know exactly how many cases there are because many people don't report them.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
We're not exactly sure what causes pyogenic granulomas. However, doctors have noticed that they can happen after minor injuries or irritation. Nasal piercings, for instance, can cause pyogenic granulomas in the nose. Some cases have also been linked to hormonal changes, such as when taking birth control pills or during pregnancy.
Infections with Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria, can also be linked to pyogenic granulomas. And sometimes poor oral hygiene can lead to Staphylococcus aureus infections in the mouth.
And lastly, certain medications have been associated with pyogenic granulomas, too. These include some medicines used for HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments, and drugs that weaken the immune system.
Pyogenic granulomas are skin bumps that can appear in different colours like pink, red or purple. They grow quickly, starting from a few millimetres (the tip of a pencil), but usually reaching no more than 1cm (about half an inch). Some people describe them as looking like ground beef. And sometimes they have a scaly, white ring at the bottom.
Usually you only have one, but sometimes there can be more. As they grow, they can be attached to the skin by a stalk-like structure (in which case they’re called pedunculated) or they can grow directly on the skin (when they're called sessile). The main problem with pyogenic granulomas is that they can ooze and bleed, but they don't usually cause pain.
Pyogenic granulomas are harmless bumps made of tiny blood vessels on the skin. They’re not cancerous and don't cause any long-term problems.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Treatment options for pyogenic granulomas usually involve using creams, gels, powders, or eye drops on the affected areas, or more invasive procedures.
Topical treatments that are applied directly to the skin to treat pyogenic granulomas include:
Procedures that can remove granulomas include:
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for pyogenic granulomas. It depends on what works well for you. Our clinicians will suggest bespoke treatment options that suit your preferences. Treatment recommendations will also vary depending on how severe your condition is.
As a rule of thumb, topical medications are usually effective and cause less scarring compared to surgery. So, they are generally the first choice when treating pyogenic granulomas. But remember, it's important to listen to your doctor's advice about which treatment is best for you.
In most cases, it's necessary to treat pyogenic granulomas to make sure they go away completely. However, smaller ones might get smaller and fade away on their own over time, without needing any treatment.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
British Association of Dermatologists. [online]
Pyogenic granuloma | DermNet NZ. [online]
Oral pyogenic granuloma: a review. Journal of Oral Science, 48(4), pp.167–175.
Pyogenic Granuloma (Lobular Capillary Hemangioma): A Clinicopathologic Study of 178 Cases. Pediatric Dermatology, 8(4), pp.267–276.
Soft-Tissue Tumors of the Head and Neck. pp.647–727.
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