A bump on the temple, the soft area on the side of the head, can be a source of confusion and concern. This area of skin is often thin and subjected to unique environmental stresses, including friction from glasses, pressure from headwear, and contact with hair and cosmetic products. Due to its proximity to the hairline and major arteries, a bump here can range from a simple, benign clogged pore to a sign of a serious medical condition. Understanding the characteristics of these bumps helps determine whether a simple home remedy is appropriate or if medical attention is necessary.
Everyday Causes of Temple Bumps
The most frequent culprits behind temple bumps relate to the skin’s natural processes or external factors. Acne vulgaris occurs when hair follicles become plugged with sebum, dead skin cells, and Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. Breakouts in this location are frequently triggered by “pomade acne,” where waxes, oils, or silicones from hair products transfer to the skin and clog pores, often presenting as whiteheads or inflammatory papules.
Other common, non-inflammatory bumps include milia and sebaceous hyperplasia. Milia are tiny, firm, white cysts resulting from keratin—a skin protein—becoming trapped just beneath the surface layer of the skin. Sebaceous hyperplasia involves an overgrowth of the oil glands, appearing as yellowish, soft papules often with a slight indentation in the center. These are benign growths that do not typically resolve with standard acne treatments.
A lipoma presents as a softer, doughy lump of fatty tissue that grows slowly beneath the skin. These are the most common non-cancerous soft-tissue growths and feel moveable when pressed with a finger. Lipomas usually cause no pain unless they press on an adjacent nerve.
Bumps Caused by Irritation and Inflammation
Bumps can arise from external irritation or an inflammatory response, often resulting in itchiness or pain. Contact dermatitis is a common reaction where the skin becomes red, itchy, and sometimes blistered after touching an irritating substance or allergen. For the temples, this frequently stems from the arms of eyeglasses, with common allergens including nickel in metal frames or dyes in plastic frames. Friction from hats, helmets, or resting your hand on the side of your head can also trigger this irritation.
Folliculitis is an inflammatory condition where hair follicles become infected, often by bacteria or yeast, resulting in small, red bumps or pus-filled pimples. This condition is common near the hairline because of sweat and hair product buildup. Psoriasis and eczema can also manifest on the temples as distinct patches of dry, inflamed skin. Psoriasis typically appears as raised, thick, silvery-scaled plaques, while eczema may be intensely itchy and appear as red, scaly, or crusty patches.
A painful, blistered rash that follows a distinct nerve path on one side of the face or head may be shingles (herpes zoster). This viral infection, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, involves deep nerve pain, burning, or tingling that often precedes the fluid-filled blisters. Shingles affecting the face, especially near the eye, requires prompt medical evaluation to prevent complications like vision loss.
Warning Signs and Serious Conditions
While most temple bumps are benign, specific symptoms demand immediate medical attention due to the risk of severe complications. Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammation of the lining of the temporal arteries.
Symptoms of GCA include a persistent, severe headache, tenderness or pain when touching the scalp, and jaw pain that occurs while chewing (jaw claudication). Other signs are sudden vision changes, such as double or blurred vision, and flu-like symptoms like fever or fatigue. Untreated GCA can lead to permanent vision loss or stroke, so anyone experiencing this combination of symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Lesions that may indicate skin cancer, such as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), are common in sun-exposed areas like the temple. Any bump that bleeds easily, changes size or color, or appears as a sore that does not heal should be examined by a dermatologist. A deep, painful cystic lesion accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, chills, or rapidly spreading redness suggests a severe bacterial infection or abscess. This requires prompt medical treatment to prevent deeper tissue involvement.
When to Seek Diagnosis and Care
A simple bump that is small, painless, and remains unchanged can often be monitored at home. If common skin care practices, such as gentle cleansing and avoiding known hair product irritants, do not resolve a mild breakout after several weeks, consult a dermatologist. A doctor should examine any bump that is growing, causing significant pain or discomfort, or not responding to over-the-counter treatments.
A medical professional can often diagnose common conditions like acne or milia visually. For other lesions, diagnosis may involve a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken for laboratory analysis. Treatment options vary widely, ranging from prescription-strength topical retinoids or antibiotics for inflammatory acne to in-office procedures for the cosmetic removal of sebaceous hyperplasia or milia. For serious conditions like GCA, immediate diagnosis is followed by high-dose steroid medication to reduce inflammation quickly and prevent complications.