Pyogenic granuloma
A pyogenic granulomas is a small, raised, and red bump on the skin. The bump has a smooth surface and may be moist. It bleeds easily because of the high number of blood vessels at the site. It is a benign (noncancerous) growth.
Benign
Benign refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not in...
Causes
The exact cause of pyogenic granulomas is unknown. They often appear following an injury on the hands, arms, or face.
Pyogenic granulomas are common in children and pregnant women.
Symptoms
Signs of a pyogenic granuloma are:
- A small red lump on the skin that bleeds easily
- Often found at the site of a recent injury
- Usually seen on hands, arms, and face, but they may develop in the mouth (most often in pregnant women)
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will do a physical exam to diagnose this condition.
You may also need a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and check for skin cancer.
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...
Treatment
Small pyogenic granulomas may go away without treatment. If needed, bumps are treated with:
- Surgical shaving or excision
Surgical shaving or excision
A skin lesion is an area of the skin that is different from the surrounding skin. This can be a lump, sore, or an area of skin that is not normal. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Electrocautery (heat)
Electrocautery
Electrocauterization is the process of heating tissue with electricity.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Freezing
Freezing
Cryotherapy is a method of superfreezing tissue in order to destroy it. This article discusses cryotherapy of the skin.
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A laser
Laser surgery uses laser energy to treat the skin. Laser surgery can be used to treat skin diseases or cosmetic concerns such as sunspots or wrinkle...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Creams applied to the skin (may not be as effective as surgery)
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most pyogenic granulomas can be removed. A scar may remain after treatment. There is a high chance that the problem will come back if the whole lesion is not removed or destroyed during treatment.
Possible Complications
These problems may occur:
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Return of the condition after treatment
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you have a skin bump that bleeds easily or that changes appearance.
Reviewed By
Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dinulos JGH. Vascular tumors and malformations. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 23.
Patterson JW. Vascular tumors. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 39.
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