Causes and Treatments of Lumps on the Head and Neck

Many people experience the occurrence of lumps of varying sizes on their heads and necks, often accompanied by pain. Such symptoms are typically caused by conditions such as folliculitis or bacterial infections, especially during adolescence. During this phase, the endocrine system undergoes rapid metabolism, and hormone secretion is particularly robust. This results in the production of large amounts of sebaceous secretions. If these secretions cannot be expelled from the body in a timely manner, they accumulate locally, forming lumps.

Causes and Solutions for Lumps on the Head and Neck

1. Modern medicine suggests that the occurrence of neck lumps is closely related to factors such as folliculitis, sebaceous gland inflammation, and bacterial infections. After entering adolescence, the endocrine system undergoes readjustment, entering a phase of rapid metabolism with robust hormone secretion. Elevated androgen levels promote the development of sebaceous glands and the production of large amounts of sebum. Metabolic products and inflammatory mediators accumulate locally, aggravating inflammatory reactions and leading to recurrent lumps. These conditions are commonly seen in acne, lipomas, abscesses, and folliculitis.

2. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that these conditions are related to diet and lifestyle, especially in patients with damp-heat or phlegm-damp constitutions. Excessive consumption of greasy and sweet foods, or spleen and stomach dysfunction, can lead to the formation of phlegm-dampness, which cannot be expelled from the body and accumulates in the skin, causing lumps. Patients with damp-heat constitutions are prone to experiencing heat-related conditions, where heat and dampness accumulate in the pores of the skin, causing damage and local symptoms.

Treatments for Lumps on the Head and Neck

1. Prevention is crucial in treating sebaceous gland folliculitis. It is important to maintain cleanliness of the facial skin, ensuring unobstructed sebaceous glands for effective secretion excretion. When the facial skin becomes itchy, scratching should be avoided to prevent skin infections and damage to the sebaceous glands, which can lead to the retention of sebaceous secretions and exacerbate folliculitis. In cases of folliculitis, patients can take oral antibiotics (such as sulfa drugs and macrolides) and apply hot compresses for anti-inflammatory treatment. After the inflammation resolves, additional medications may be prescribed.

2. In terms of treatment, adopting a bland diet and increasing physical activity can help promote skin metabolism. For patients with lipomas, surgical intervention may be necessary if the growth is significant. However, most lipomas do not require treatment. For acne patients, a combination of traditional and Western medicine can be effective in treating the condition.