What should you know about ulcerated pyogenic granuloma?

Pyogenic granuloma, also called a lobular capillary haemangioma, is a fast-growing red or pink bump made of extra small blood vessels. Its surface can become ulcerated after minor friction or injury, leaving a moist crusted area that bleeds with light contact. Despite its name, it is not caused by pus and is not a typical infection.

Because other skin growths can look similar, a clinician may examine it closely and send removed tissue for laboratory identification. Pregnancy, hormonal changes, irritation and an earlier injury can be relevant context, but a visible lesion cannot be diagnosed reliably from appearance alone.

Book a dermatology appointment if a red lump is growing quickly, repeatedly bleeding or failing to settle. Until then, protect it from rubbing and avoid cutting, tying off or burning it at home. If it bleeds, hold clean firm pressure over a dressing without lifting it repeatedly to check.

A clinician may recommend removal and control of the bleeding at the same visit. Curettage and cautery is one treatment option; the choice depends on the lesion's site, size, appearance and whether tissue needs examination. Recurrence or uncertainty about the diagnosis calls for reassessment.

Seek urgent care if bleeding continues despite sustained pressure, the dressing becomes soaked, or you feel faint or unusually weak. Arrange prompt review for increasing warmth, swelling, spreading redness, pus, fever or worsening pain, which can indicate infection. A rapidly changing, dark, firm or irregular growth also deserves timely examination because not every bleeding bump is a pyogenic granuloma.

Ask whether the appearance fits pyogenic granuloma, whether the whole lesion should be removed for identification, how bleeding will be controlled, and how to care for the wound. Ask what recurrence would look like and when a new or persistent bump should be checked.