When you press on a lump on your head and it hurts, it can often be due to an underlying irritation or inflammation within the skin tissues or hair follicles in that specific area.
According to one source, ingrown hairs can cause head bumps that are painful when you press on them.
Understanding the Painful Head Lump
A lump on your head that becomes painful when pressed is typically a sign of irritation or inflammation. One common cause for this discomfort, as highlighted, is an ingrown hair.
- What is an Ingrown Hair? An ingrown hair occurs when a hair follicle on your head becomes trapped beneath the skin's surface.
- How it Causes Pain: As your hair grows, it can often try to curl around the skin or re-enter it instead of growing outwards. This can result in an infection in your hair follicles. This infection or the trapped, irritated hair itself makes the area tender and painful when pressure is applied.
The lump you feel is essentially your body's localized response to this trapped hair and potential infection, leading to swelling and sensitivity.
Other Potential Causes (Beyond the Scope of the Provided Reference)
While the provided reference specifically mentions ingrown hairs, other conditions can also cause painful lumps on the head. However, based strictly on the reference given, the pain upon pressing is linked to the inflammation or infection associated with an ingrown hair within the follicle.
What to Do
If you have a painful lump on your head, especially one that hurts when pressed, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
- They can identify the specific cause of the lump and pain.
- They can recommend appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis.
Note: This information is based on the provided reference and general knowledge. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
