Papule

What is it?

A papule is a small, solid bump on the skin that you can both see and feel. These bumps are smaller than a pencil eraser (less than 1 centimeter) and rise above the skin surface. Unlike pimples with pus or blisters with fluid, papules are solid throughout. Think of them as tiny hills on your skin's landscape - they're the most common type of raised skin lesion.

What does it look like?

Papules can have various appearances:

• Small raised bumps, from pinpoint size to pencil eraser size
• Shape variations: Dome-shaped (smooth top), flat-topped, pointed, or warty surface
• Colors: Skin-colored, pink, red, purple, brown, or yellow
• Surface: Can be smooth, rough, or scaly
• Special features: Some have a central dent (umbilicated) like molluscum contagiosum
• Usually firm to touch, not soft or fluid-filled
• May occur alone or in groups

Where does it appear?

Papules can develop anywhere on the body:

• Face: Acne, flat warts, syringomas around eyes
• Hands and feet: Common warts, flat warts
• Arms and legs: Keratosis pilaris ("chicken skin"), lichen planus
• Trunk: Molluscum contagiosum, cherry angiomas
• Genital area: Pearly penile papules, genital warts
• Anywhere: Insect bites, drug reactions, skin tags

Associated features

Papules may be accompanied by:

• Itching (especially with eczema or lichen planus)
• Tenderness (inflamed acne papules)
• Surrounding redness or inflammation
• Gradual increase in number over time
• Changes in color or size
• Formation of groups or lines of papules
• Resolution leaving temporary marks

When to see a doctor

Seek medical evaluation for:

• Papules that are growing, changing color, or bleeding
• New papules appearing suddenly in large numbers
• Papules with irregular borders or multiple colors
• Painful or tender papules
• Papules that don't improve with over-the-counter treatments
• Genital papules or those in sensitive areas
• Any papules you're concerned about