A bump on the temple, the soft area on the side of the head between the eye and the ear, is a common occurrence that often causes concern. This region is covered by thin skin, muscle, and blood vessels, meaning a bump can originate from various structures. While many growths are benign, understanding the distinctions between causes is important. Determining if the lump is soft or hard, mobile or fixed, or accompanied by pain offers initial clues about its nature.
Common Soft Tissue Causes
The most frequent causes of a bump in the temple area arise from tissues just beneath the skin’s surface, involving the skin or the subcutaneous fat layer. One common finding is an epidermoid cyst, which forms when surface skin cells move deeper instead of shedding, creating a sac filled with keratin. These cysts are typically slow-growing, small, and may feel firm and moveable beneath the skin. If squeezed, they can sometimes exude a thick, cheesy material.
Another soft tissue growth is a lipoma, a benign tumor composed entirely of fatty tissue. Lipomas feel soft and doughy to the touch and are generally painless unless they press on nearby nerves. These growths are often slow-growing and are the most common type of soft tissue tumor. Unlike cysts, lipomas tend to feel more rubbery and are easily pushed under the skin.
Minor trauma can result in a soft tissue bump known as a hematoma. This occurs when small blood vessels under the skin rupture, causing blood to pool and resulting in localized swelling and bruising. A hematoma appears rapidly following the injury and is characterized by tenderness and discoloration. This type of bump usually resolves on its own within a few days or weeks as the body reabsorbs the pooled blood.
Structural and Bony Growths
When a bump on the temple feels hard, immobile, and fused directly to the skull, it likely involves the underlying bone structure. The most frequent bony growth is an osteoma, a benign tumor made of mature bone tissue. These are slow-growing and often asymptomatic, causing no discomfort unless they impinge on surrounding tissues.
An osteoma presents as a hard, ivory-like lump that feels like an extension of the skull bone. Another possibility is a bone spur, or exostosis, an overgrowth of bone that can occur in response to chronic irritation or forgotten injury. The defining characteristic of both osteomas and bone spurs is their fixed, rock-hard texture, which differentiates them from the softer, mobile nature of cysts or lipomas.
Causes Related to Inflammation and Blood Vessels
Bumps on the temple can also signal infection or a serious vascular condition, often presenting with inflammation, heat, redness, and pain. An infection of a hair follicle (folliculitis) or a deep, infected cyst can lead to an abscess or boil, which appears as a tender, warm, and swollen lump. These infectious bumps are usually acutely painful and may have overlying redness that spreads as the infection deepens.
A more serious, though rare, cause in adults over 50 is Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), formerly known as Temporal Arteritis. This is a form of vasculitis where the temporal arteries become inflamed, swollen, and tender. The inflammation can cause a new, severe, throbbing headache, often felt on one side of the head, and tenderness when touching the scalp. Jaw pain while chewing, known as jaw claudication, is a specific and concerning symptom of GCA.
The swelling of the artery in GCA reduces blood flow, posing a significant risk to the optic nerve. This reduction in blood supply can lead to sudden, permanent vision loss, making the condition a medical emergency. General symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss, and muscle aches often accompany the localized temple symptoms.
Recognizing When to See a Doctor
While most temple bumps are benign, specific signs warrant prompt medical evaluation to rule out serious underlying conditions. Any bump accompanied by sudden, severe pain or a new, persistent throbbing headache should be assessed without delay, especially for individuals over 50 due to the risk of Giant Cell Arteritis.
Vision changes, such as blurring, double vision, or sudden reduction in sight, require emergency attention. Additionally, a bump that grows rapidly, feels hot, or is associated with a fever suggests an infection requiring antibiotics. Any fixed, rock-hard lump that develops accompanying neurological symptoms like confusion, dizziness, or vomiting should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional.