Small Bumps on Face: not Pimples, Acne, Forehead, Rash, Itchy, Red, White, child, Get Rid, Pictures - Healtreatcure (2023)

What causes small bumps on face? Get insights on the reasons for pimple like bumps on forehead, white, red or itchy rash, how to get rid and pictures.

Small Bumps on Face Causes

Spots on the face are mostly due to an esthetic problem and they could also be a symptom of a more serious skin problem. Fungal infections can show signs of small white spots on the skin. Likewise, bacterial infections can lead to small pimple-like zits on the face, usually with pus.
To get rid of the raised white lumps on the face, individuals have to address the cause through advice from a specialist.
Appearance of bumps on face may be caused by sun exposure, milia spots or whiteheads. For some people, small raised white spots on face appear after shaving. The little bumps may appear as pearl-shaped, small cysts, goosebumps, acne pimples, moles or even a rash depending on the cause.
The following are the major causes of small bumps on face:

1. Sun exposure causes

Sun damage is not just a cause for sunburn, dark spots, and skin cancer among other skin ageing symptoms like wrinkles. It is also a precursor for rough, thick skin that culminates in milia (which is manifested as white bumps). It is believed that the same accumulated sun damage that causes brown spots also causes white spots.

2. Milia around eyes and under eyes.

Milia bumps around eyes are usually filled with a protein called keratin and tend to occur on the cheeks, nose, and eyelids even though they can occur on any part of the body.
They are so much like acne bumps but they are not accompanied by a red rash as is typical of acne outbreaks. Milia bumps can appear around the eyes and other parts of the face that have no active oil glands.

3. Whiteheads and zits from clogged pores

They are majorly common to individual with oil skin especially on the face. Whiteheads are formed when excess oil from the sebaceous glands clogs up the pores or hair follicles on the skin.
This sebum gets trapped along with other debris and some bacteria. Whiteheads and zits can appear as tiny white bumps on the forehead, cheeks, jawline and under eyes.

4. Raised white bumps on face after shaving or waxing

Sometimes shaving or removing hair from the face can result to raise small bumps on face. Poor shaving techniques cause the skin to be irritated.
The irritation can easily turn into a razor rash. When razor rash or waxing bumps are not treated, they can turn into a white rash on the face and neck. Always apply an antibacterial aftershave after shaving or waxing to prevent the white bumps from forming.

5. Small white bumps on face from allergic reaction

Strong allergic reactions can develop causing a lot of swelling and redness of the ears, face and neck as well as the scalp. The most common signs of an allergic reaction on the face are small red bumps.
White bumps on the face from allergy, especially those occurring around the mouth may also be caused by irritation of the skin by fluoride containing toothpastes and some makeups.

6. Keratosis pilaris hard bumps on face

It is a skin condition that leads to small, hard bumps that may make the skin characterized by sandpaper features. Buildup of a protein called keratin keratin under the skin leads to the little raised bumps to form.
Atopic dermatitis and genetic predisposition may all cause the small, hard keratotic bumps to form on the skin. The condition tends to become common and get worse with dry skin and may get particularly worse during winter months when humidity levels are at their lowest.

7. Cholesterol little white bumps on skin

Cholesterol bumps appear as whitish or yellowish, raised small bumps on face. They grow around eyes or under eyelids or on the upper eyelids. Cholesterol deposits around eyes are a condition called xathelasma.

8. White pimple-like bumps from STD

These are sexually transmitted viral infections which can manifest on the face of a person. Herpes can cause bumps around the mouth, nose etc. The herpes simplex virus is contagious and can be transmitted through kissing or exchange of fluids.
Molluscum contagious is another STD that can show symptoms including whitish bumps on the skin. The infection of Molluscum contagious virus thrives in warm, humid and overcrowded environments.

9. Calcium deposits under skin

They are small bumpy lesions can develop on the skin or under the skin. These can be calcium deposits. The process of forming white calcium deposits under the skin or on the skin is called calcinosis. white bumps on face can also be caused by calcium deposits. When this occurs, a patient is likely to have a cluster of small papules on the skin site.

10. White pimple on face

Acne and pimples, cysts and zits can also appear as white small bumps on face. Acne and pimples develop into pus-filled white bumps. White or green pus inside a pimple is an indication of a bacterial infection. Pimple infections occur when the pores in the skin get clogged with dirt, sweat, excess oil dead cells and bacteria.

11. Fordyce spots near mouth or lips

They are a form of sebaceous prominence. They appear as small, raised white or yellow bumps on the skin. They appear on various parts of the body, including vaginal lips (labia), penis, and lips of a person’s face.

12. Pityriasis Alba

It is highly associated with eczema and dermatitis. It is a skin disorder that is mostly common in children or young adults. It is characterized by small lesions on the face. Pale patches on the face or oval, flat bumps on the face are some of its characteristics.

13. Too much facial makeup

Moisturizers do best at keeping the skin hydrated, supple and smooth but some heavy varieties often trap dead skin cells and interfere with normal skin exfoliation resulting in a condition known as milia. This is characterized by white bumps on the affected areas such as face.

Small Bumps on Face not Pimples

These small bumps on face not being pimples can either of the following:

1. Acne

It occurs when the pores on the skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria since the follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland. The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto the skin. A zit appears when bacteria grow in a clogged pore and the oil is unable to escape.

2. Warts

They are raised bumps on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are generally not dangerous, they are ugly, potentially embarrassing, contagious, and they can be painful. Flat warts usually grow on the face, thighs, or arms. They are small and not immediately noticeable. They can be pink, brownish, or slightly yellow.

3. Chickenpox

It is a virus that often affects children. It is characterized by itchy, red small bumps on face and blisters that appear all over the body. It is very rare to have the chickenpox infection more than once. A rash is the most common symptom of the chickenpox and it is more contagious several days before the rash develops and will experience other symptoms.

4. Neurofibromatosis

It is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of tumors on the nerves. The disease can also affect the skin and cause bone deformities. VRD affects the skin and the peripheral nervous system. Most cases of VRD are the result of a genetic mutation in the neurofibromin gene; there are also acquired cases due to spontaneous mutations.

5. Skin lesion

These are when part of the skin has an abnormal growth and look as compared to surrounding part. skin lesion can exist as a primary skin lesion that occur from day of birth and secondary that can develop on the life’s time on individual due to other causes like rashes, blisters, wheals, nodule, papule or macule.

6. Staph infection

The condition usually comes without any illness which results to development of red fluid-filled and painful bumps on the skin. If infected it may confuse you with spider bites because it resemble it with yellow or white center with a head.

Small Bumps on Face not Acne

Small bumps, or milia, are keratin-filled cysts, or simply tiny globs of protein under the skin. There are generally two types of milia. Primary milia may result from oil glands that have not fully or properly developed. Secondary milia result from trauma to the skin.
Comedones or whiteheads are excess fats and wastes that are trapped in a hair follicle and so they clog up the pore. In brief, milia are proteins trapped within the skin, while comedones are fats and skin debris trapped within the pore.
Exfoliating the skin is beneficial since helps make eventual removal of the milia easier because the skin layer around the milia becomes thinner.
Presence of raised skin bumps on the face can result from a number of factors and condition that can be either benign or harmful .Though in most case it can be harmless but very embarrassing.
The development of small bumps on face or any other part of the body can be as result of an infection, a hereditary disorder, the reaction of the skin to allergies or due to mutation of skin cell that leads cancer of the skin. The possible causes of small bumps on the face can be as the result of the following;

1. Mosquito bite ,small white bumps on face can develop as allergic reaction of insect bite, especially mosquito .The skin rush comes as result of inflammation of the lymphatic system on the area of the bite that cause itching and appearance of lesion or bruise on the skin.
2. Skin lesion, these are when part of the skin has an abnormal growth and look as compared to surrounding part. skin lesion can exist as a primary skin lesion that occur from day of birth and secondary that can develop on the life’s time on individual due to other causes like rashes, blisters, wheals, nodule, papule or macule.
3. Psoriasis can be a plaque that results to development of thick red patches on the skin. Psoriasis can develop from pustular that form red bumps.
4. Staph infection, the condition usually comes without any illness which results to development of red fluid-filled and painful bumps on the skin. If infected it may confuse you with spider bites because it resemble it with yellow or white center with a head.
5. Impetigo, this is a skin disease caused by bacterial that at most attack the face resulting to formation of pustules and yellow crusty sores. It is characterized by itchy rash and fluid-filled blister that pop easily. The disease is highly contagious and it can spread fast from one individual to another. The condition is common in children.
6. Chickenpox is a common childhood disease that is cause by varicella-zoster virus. Some adult have had chickenpox when they spent time around children infected. The infection result to development of red, fluid-filled blisters that do not spare you face. Chickenpox form white bumps on the face when they are healing and finally leave spot on the skin.
7. Lipomas, these is a nonmalignant tumor on the skin .it is soft to touch and can move easily when presses by your finger. They are common on the neck and cheek. The bumps are not painful but some time can be if grows on the nerves.

Small Bumps on Forehead

The following are the common causes of small bumps on face especially the forehead:

1. Skin irritation

The presence of embarrassing white pimples on the face may be caused by irritation of some chemical presence in the body makeups. Some makeups contain chemical components that are rejected by the body hence causes irritation that cause white acnes.

2. Viral attack

It can be one of the major causal agents of white papule on theface. Molluscum contagiosum virus which is a sexual transmitted infection and can spread through direct contact with infected person. The common symptom of this infection is the development of white pimples on the face.

3. Effect of direct exposure to sunlight

Sun effect can also be the major cause for the appearing of white bumps on the face. Apart from other causing sunburns, dark spot and skin cancer, it also causes development of thick skin that finally develop in to milia which is characterized by white bumps.

4. Heavy moisturizers

The use moisturizers that assist to keep the skin hydrated and supple which maintain the skin smooth but it interfere with proper exfoliation of the dead skin cell that result to condition of milia that is manifested by appearance of white bumps on the skin.

5. Hereditary factor

Genetic predisposing factor of some skin condition like milia is one of the causes of white bumps on the skin. It is possible to inherit skin factor traits susceptible to white bumps.

6. Acne

It is a skin condition, usually on face that are common in adolescents that is characterize by papules which are red and raised bumps caused by infected hair follicle. Mostly characterized by small bumps on face, acne can be in a form of pustules that are small red pimples that has pus. T
hey also appear as nodules and cysts that are very painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin, cysts can be differentiated from nodule when they contain pus due to infection.

7. Mosquito bite

They are small white bumps on face can develop as allergic reaction of insect bite, especially mosquito .The skin rush comes as result of inflammation of the lymphatic system on the area of the bite that cause itching and appearance of lesion or bruise on the skin.

8. Skin lesion

These are when part of the skin has an abnormal growth and look as compared to surrounding part. skin lesion can exist as a primary skin lesion that occur from day of birth and secondary that can develop on the life’s time on individual due to other causes like rashes, blisters, wheals, nodule, papule or macule.

9. Impetigo

This is a skin disease caused by bacterial that at most affect the face resulting to formation of pustules and yellow crusty sores. It is characterized by itchy rash and fluid-filled blister that pop easily. The disease is highly contagious and it can spread fast from one individual to another. The condition is common in children.

10. Lipomas

These is a nonmalignant tumor on the skin .it is soft to touch and can move easily when presses by your finger. Although, they are mostly common on the neck and cheek. The bumps are not painful but some time can be if grows on the nerves

Small Bumps on Face Rash

The condition of milia occurs when the dead skin cell get trapped beneath the surface of the skin that result to growth of small hard cyst. The cyst can be distinguished from the acne because they do not form painful bumps that are red .milia bumps are only filled with protein, usually keratin.
Milia also appear as a result of sun exposure that makes the skin on the face more thick and leathery that makes the dead skin cell not easily exfoliate. The accumulation of dead cell on the skin result to development of minute hard white bumps on the face.
When using heavy moisturizers and creams can also trap the dead skin cell that may cause accumulation of keratin protein due to difficulty in sloughing off dead skin cell. Minute hard pimples will develop on the face as a result of trapped skin debris.
Formation of small hard white small bumps on face or skin falls in to types: primary milia and secondary milia. In young offspring’s are associated to primary milia that come when their skin fail to exfoliate properly.
Secondary happens to adult due to damages of the skin like burns, rashes and other blister that increase the number of cell that are trapped beneath skin surface.

Small Itchy Bumps on Face

It is due to the following in case they appear on an individual face:
Chicken pox which starts out as small, itchy, red bumps. These bumps quickly change into clear, fluid-filled blisters on a pink base, which eventually become dry brown crusts or scabs. The bumps often appear first on the scalp, face, or trunk and can then spread over the entire body.
Cold sores which appears as small fluid-filled blisters on or near the lips. Blisters may get bigger, burst, and crust over. They can occur individually or in clusters.
Eczema which is an Itchy rash that typically occurs in the creases of the elbows or knees, as well as on the cheeks, chin, scalp, chest, and back. Appears as dry, thickened, scaly red skin or tiny red bumps that may ooze or crust. Most common in families with a history of allergies or asthma.
Fifth disease which starts with a slight fever, achiness, and cold symptoms, followed a few days later by bright red cheeks and a lacy, red, sometimes itchy rash on the trunk and feet. Also called slapped cheeks disease or erythema infectiosum.
Measles which begin with fever; a runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a cough. Red bumps with tiny white dots appear a few days later on the inside of the cheeks. Next, a rash appears on the face and progresses down the back and trunk to the arms and hands and finally to the legs and feet.

Small Red Bumps on Face

The small bumps on face that usually appear reddish are caused by the following:

1. Acne is a skin condition that’s usually associated with teens and hormones, however, it’s appears as whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red lesions typically on the face, neck, and back of adults as well. Commonly referred to as pimples or “zits”, acne is caused when pores become blocked by oil, bacteria, and dirt.
2. Cherry Angioma is a genetic factor that makes certain people more likely to get them. They’ve also been linked to pregnancy, exposure to chemicals, and climate.
3. Impetigo, caused by bacteria, creates red sores or blisters. These can break open, ooze, and develop a yellow-brown crust. Sores can show up all over the body but mostly around the mouth and nose. Impetigo can be spread through close contact or by sharing things like towels and toys. Scratching can spread it to other parts of the body. It’s treated with antibiotic ointment or pills.
4. Chickenpox can be very serious since it’s very contagious, spreads easily, and leaves an itchy rash and red spots or blisters all over the body.
5. Ringworm which is caused by a fungus that lives off dead skin, hair, and nail tissue. It starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Then comes the telltale itchy red ring.
6. Prickly Heat which blocked sweat ducts therefore, development of heat rash which looks like small red or pink pimples.

White Bumps on Face

Excessive exposure to sunlight, fungal infections, milia spots, too much face makeup, infected pimples etc. can all cause tiny white bumps on the facial skin. Here are comprehensive explanations of what causes white bumps on face of a person:

1. Excessive exposure to direct UV rays from the sun.

Sun damage is not just a cause for sunburn, dark spots, and skin cancer among other skin ageing symptoms like wrinkles. It is also a precursor for rough, thick skin that culminates in milia (which is manifested as white bumps). It is believed that the same accumulated sun damage that causes brown spots also causes white spots.

2. Formation of Milia around the eyes.

Milia bumps around eyes are usually filled with a protein called keratin and tend to occur on the cheeks, nose, and eyelids even though they can occur on any part of the body. They are so much like acne bumps but they are not accompanied by a red rash as is typical of acne outbreaks. Milia bumps can appear as small bumps on face and around the eyes among other parts of the face that have no active oil glands

3. Clogged pores.

They are majorly common to individual with oil skin especially on the face. Whiteheads are formed when excess oil from the sebaceous glands clogs up the pores or hair follicles on the skin. This sebum gets trapped along with other debris and some bacteria. Whiteheads and zits can appear as tiny white bumps on the forehead, cheeks, jawline and under eyes.

4. white bumps after shaving or waxing

Sometimes shaving or removing hair from the face can result to raise bumps on the face. Poor shaving techniques cause the skin to be irritated.
The irritation can easily turn into a razor rash. When razor rash or waxing bumps are not treated, they can turn into a white rash on the face and neck. Always apply an antibacterial aftershave after shaving or waxing to prevent the white bumps from forming.

5. Small white bumps due to Allergy

Strong allergic reactions can develop causing a lot of swelling and redness of the ears, face and neck as well as the scalp.
The most common signs of an allergic reaction on the face are small red bumps. White bumps on the face from allergy, especially those occurring around the mouth may also be caused by irritation of the skin by fluoride containing toothpastes and some makeups.

6. Keratosis pilaris

It is a skin condition that leads to small, hard bumps that may make the skin characterized by sandpaper features. Buildup of a protein called keratin keratin under the skin leads to the little raised bumps to form.
Atopic dermatitis and genetic predisposition may all cause the small, hard keratotic bumps to form on the skin. The condition tends to become common and get worse with dry skin and may get particularly worse during winter months when humidity levels are at their lowest.

7. Cholesterol

Cholesterol bumps appear as whitish or yellowish, raised bumps. They grow around eyes or under eyelids or on the upper eyelids. Cholesterol deposits around eyes are a condition called xathelasma.

8. Bumps from STD

These are sexually transmitted viral infections which can manifest on the face of a person. Herpes can cause bumps around the mouth, nose etc. The herpes simplex virus is contagious and can be transmitted through kissing or exchange of fluids

9. Calcium deposits

They are small bumpy lesions can develop on the skin or under the skin. These can be calcium deposits. The process of forming white calcium deposits under the skin or on the skin is called calcinosis.
Small bumps on face can also be caused by calcium deposits. When this occurs, a patient is likely to have a cluster of small papules on the skin site.

10. White pimple

Acne and pimples, cysts and zits can also appear as white spots on face. Acne and pimples develop into pus-filled white bumps. White or green pus inside a pimple is an indication of a bacterial infection. Pimple infections occur when the pores in the skin get clogged with dirt, sweat, excess oil dead cells and bacteria.

11. Fordyce spots

They are a form of sebaceous prominence. They appear as small, raised white or yellow bumps on the skin. They appear on various parts of the body, including vaginal lips (labia), penis, and lips of a person’s face.

12. Excessive facial makeup

Moisturizers do best at keeping the skin hydrated, supple and smooth but some heavy varieties often trap dead skin cells and interfere with normal skin exfoliation resulting in a condition known as milia. This is characterized by white bumps on the affected areas such as face.

Small Bumps on Child’s Face

It is usually the following:

1. Hives

They develop as an allergic reaction to food, environmental surroundings (i.e., dust), or medication. They form a rash of annoying and raised itchy welts that can also burn. Hives will appear anywhere on the body in a few raised spots or they will join together to create one larger patch of raised, itchy skin that can last up to a few days

2. Psoriasis

They appear as a thick red rash that develops as white patches or silvery scales most commonly on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.

3. Acne

It is a skin condition that’s usually associated with young ones and hormones, however, it’s appears as small bumps on face, whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red lesions typically on the face, neck, and back of adults as well. Commonly referred to as pimples or “zits”, acne is caused when pores become blocked by oil, bacteria, and dirt.

4. Shingles

They are caused by the chickenpox virus. They start in a rash of raised, tingling dots and gradually become painful blisters on the torso and buttocks that can take weeks and even months for the pain, itching and rash to subside. Those who get chickenpox as a child are at risk for shingles in adulthood.

How to Get Rid of Small Bumps on Face

Here are list of ways we can get rid of bumps on face:
Medical treatments for such bumps include cryo therapy, laser removal, chemical peels and curettage. Surgery may also be used to get rid of white face bumps and also the following can assist in treating these small bumps on face;

1. Topical treatment; with appropriate creams containing certain active ingredients e.g. salicylic acid, tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide etc.
2. Surgical removal for large bumps on face: May be used for milia or molluscum contagiosum
3. Prescription of oral medications. Cimetidine for molluscum contagiosum and antibacterial ointments for infected white bumps on the face.
4. Dermabrasion: This entails removing the top layer of skin using a special ablative tool
5. Laser treatment: Laser beams are used to remove the offending bumps.
6. Curettage – The bumps are scraped off using a sharp a sharp instrument.

Bumps that develop due to virus infection or bacterial may be eliminated if you treat the disease but it will take long time for your skin to be smooth. If the bumps have persisted for long on the skin you should go for medication.
Use facial cleanser for the oily face. Children should not use facial cleanser unless get doctor’s advice to use it.
Teens and adults should use facial cleanser to maintain their face smooth free from bumps. If you are unable to use facial cleanser to keep away white bumps on the face, use a mild moisturizing soap that is free from dyes and other chemicals.
Avoid heavy cosmetics that can bock the pores on the skin leading to development of white bumps on the face. Skin makeup conceal pimples on the face hence can facilitate the hardening of the pimples to cysts.
Alternatively, the following home remedies can be used to cure small bumps on face of an individual at their comfort at home:

1. Honey facial scrub

Honey can moisturize the skin to prevent dryness in case they are combined with a facial scrub, it can get rid of milia bumps on the face. Here’s how to use honey to remove raised white spots on face.

• Mix a tablespoon of granulated sugar with honey, oatmeal and jojoba oil.
• Mix well to make a consistent paste.
• Scrub your face gently with the paste for a few minutes.
• Rinse it off using lukewarm water.
• Re-do two times a week until the bumps are removed.

2. Cornstarch and vinegar

This natural treatment will get rid of whiteheads on the face. It is useful for oily skins that are prone to pimple-like bumps. The cornstarch works as an excess oil absorber while apple cider vinegar works as an astringent. Here’s how to use this natural remedy.

• Put a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
• Add cornstarch enough to make a paste.
• Mix well to make a consistent paste.
• Apply it on the area with white bumps on your face. Leave it for 30 minutes.
• Rinse off the paste using a soaked washcloth.

3. Tea tree oil

It has antibacterial properties. It can also dry up the bumps and reduce them significantly.

• Cleanse your face thoroughly.
• Using a cotton swab, dab a little tea tree oil on the area with bumps.
• Do this before going to bed.
• Rinse it off in the morning.

Small Bumps on Face

Here are the possible causes of small bumps on face:

1. Skin Tags

It forms as a small, embarrassing flap of flesh-colored tissue that protrudes from a typically near the face, shoulder, chest, armpit, under the breasts, or wherever there is friction. Women and seniors are more prone to these embarrassing, but not dangerous skin ailments.

2. Herpes Stomatitis

It is a viral infection occurs as mouth ulcers and inflammation due to a virus or bacteria Candida Albicans, that’s caused by a mouth injury, a virus or bacteria tobacco use, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, immune system conditions or irritation from mouth braces.

3. Carbuncle

It is a skin infection that forms when a hair follicles become infected deep in the skin and form a mass filled with infection or pus. Carbuncles can cause permanent scarring and can appear on basically any part of the body. It also causes small bumps on face.

4. Hives

They develop as an allergic reaction to food, environmental surroundings (i.e., dust), or medication. They form a rash of annoying and raised itchy welts that can also burn. Hives will appear anywhere on the body in a few raised spots or they will join together to create one larger patch of raised, itchy skin that can last up to a few days.

5. Perfumed soaps.

Strong soaps and detergents are often irritating to the skin, and if they’re particularly sensitive to the skin, one can end up with a nasty bout of eczema or hives after using a new detergent to wash clothing or bedding.