The exact cause is unknown.
Sebaceous hyperplasia typically doesn’t go away without treatment, which many people elect to do for cosmetic reasons.
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What Causes Sebaceous Hyperplasia?
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Sebaceous hyperplasia bumps are not rashes, growths, or cancer.
They are enlargedsebaceous glandsthat produce an oil calledsebum.
This oil keeps the skin lubricated and healthy.
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Sebaceous hyperplasia is sparked by an overabundance ofsebocytes.
Several factors are thought to contribute to sebaceous hyperplasia.
Hormones
Androgens are male sex hormones.
These hormones, especiallytestosterone, stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
With age, androgens decrease.
This slows sebaceous gland activity and oil production.
Cell turnover (the rate at which dead cells are replaced with fresh ones) also slows down.
These dead cells back up within the sebaceous gland, causing it to enlarge.
The bumps range from 1 or 2 mm to several millimeters in size.
They are often the same color as your skin but may also look white to slightly yellow.
The bumps don’t hurt or itch.
They may bleed if you knock them or shave over them, though.
Sebaceous hyperplasia most often develops on the face.
The most common places to find them are the forehead, cheeks, and nose.
Babies often have bumps on the upper lip.
Their bumps usually disappear within a few months.
Acne or Sebaceous Hyperplasia?
Because the bumps look similar tonon-inflamed acne breakouts, the condition is sometimes confused withcomedonal acne.
You may also be able to see tiny blood vessels inside.
These are clues you’re not dealing with acne.
Diagnosing Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose sebaceous hyperplasia with a simple visual inspection.
If there’s any question about the diagnosis, though, they may order askin biopsy.
This will help rule out other conditions, like skin cancer.
It looks like a shiny, raised, and round pimple, scar, or sore.
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A biopsy can also help rule out sebaceous gland carcinoma.
This rare, slow-growing cancer appears as a firm, yellowish lump.
It may also heal and then reappear.
Muir-Torresyndromeis a rare inherited disease.
It is a variant ofLynch syndrome.
Patients with this condition are at higher risk for developing sebaceous gland carcinoma.
How to Get Rid of Sebaceous Hyperplasia
There is no medical need to treat sebaceous hyperplasia.
Adults may choose to treat the bumps for cosmetic reasons.
Squeezing sebaceous hyperplasia bumps is ineffective.
This is because there isn’t anything inside that can be extracted.
However, squeezing can cause the bumps to become inflamed or bleed.
There are treatment options available.
Options include:
These medicines speed up the skin’s natural cell turnover rate.
They may also make existing bumps appear smaller.
These topical treatments probably won’t get rid of all your bumps, though.
If you have a severe case, your healthcare provider may prescribe isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin cannot be used during pregnancy.
Finally, women with sebaceous hyperplasia can try antiandrogen medications that block the effect of testosterone on the skin.
These include:
Procedures
Several in-office procedures treat sebaceous hyperplasia.
These treatments often provide faster and more obvious improvement.
When used as directed, though, there is no harm in trying.
Sun exposure is theorized to play a role in the development of sebaceous hyperplasia.
If you want to try one of these options, discussing it with your healthcare provider first is best.
Summary
Sebaceous hyperplasia is characterized by the formation of small, painless bumps.
This harmless skin condition can usually be diagnosed with a simple visual inspection.
Sometimes a biopsy is performed to rule out skin cancer.
Treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia is for cosmetic purposes only.
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