Are your bumps in the scalp fixed to the skin or more to the skull?

[Digsy]

I have these small bumps on the top of my scalp that are fixed to the scalp tissue. Does this resemble vasculitis? These ones are not tender at the moment though. They were once.

[Jann]

Didsy,

The symptoms of Vasculitis are many and varied so it very hard to say if this is one or not. It is not a symptom I have experienced but others may have. I suggest you raise your concerns with you GP.

Regards,

Jann

[Digsy in reply to Jann]

Thanks Jan, I did raise this with my GP. But he wasn't sure what they were. I just had blood work done but I believe its all normal (so the reception says over the phone). So it comes down to trying to find out the symptoms of such bumps in the scalp for myself.

I have another thread going so I just wanted this one to be about scalp bumps and those who are familiar with them.

Thanks for your answer.

[Ayla Volunteer]

I have them (fixed to the scalp tissue) but only when flaring, and they are always pretty tender. They disappear when the flare subsides. I have MPA.

Hope the mystery is soon solved for you,

Ayla

[Digsy in reply to Ayla]

Appreciate the feedback Ayla. What I don't understand is with these bumps, what exactly are they? Are they inflamed blood vessels or something else? Any other distinguishing features?

[Ayla Volunteer in reply to Digsy]

When I first got them I described them as feeling like all the toxicity in my body had ended up in my scalp. I have never had a medical explanation for them, just know it is a warning sign, for me, that the vasculitis is flaring. They are quite solid, ie you can't massage them away, they vary in size but are of 1" max diameter and they are tender! Suspect inflammation of tissues, of course.

Oh, and when things are really bad ( before I had any treatment) the soles of my feet get lumps, too!

Reckon we are just falling apart! However, the joy is that they go quickly once treatment is started.

Ayla

[Digsy in reply to Ayla]

Thanks Ayla, you sound pretty stable about it all which is reassuring. So I am guessing the doctor could feel them. At first, did the doctor order a ANCA test to diagnose it or how did they diagnose it?

[hamble99b Volunteer]

Do you have those little skin tags too? I have bumps on my scalp and it was suggested that, like the skin tags, they are just extra skin or fatty deposits. would be interested in finding out more.

sandra

[Ayla Volunteer]

Yes, it was a positive P Anca test that identified vasculitis. Behcets suspected (I had lots of large, painful and persistent mouth ulcers too) but quickly ruled out. MPA diagnosed within a year. Have you had an Anca test?

I don't remember any doctor attempting to feel these lumps, they just nodded wisely and took my word for it! And it is worth remembering I was feeling pretty ill at the time. Does this apply to you, too?

Best of luck with this. Keep us posted!

Ayla

[Jools52]

I get lumps but they actually fill with puss. The pressure I feel, before the burst, is awful and it radiates all over my head. I have not had a definitive diagnosis as yet but they believe me to have WG. ANCA + and had lung involvement with blood being counted, rigors and random sweats. Chronic bone pain. Right now lablelled ANCA + generalised small cell vasculitis. 

I had awful abscesses around 3 years ago but on my shoulders and back. 3 had to be surgically removed under a general anaesthetic and have left huge scars. It was put down to a streptococcus infection due to steroid use. I am mortified that I now have this in my scalp and worried that I may end up having to have them cut out of my scalp. They really do cause agony that even morphine doesn't touch. I can't help but wonder if this was vasculitis all along. 

Good luck. I hope we both get some answers and relief