Have you ever felt a small, painful bump on the back of your head while washing your hair or brushing your fingers across your scalp?

At first, it might seem like an ordinary pimple. But when the bump becomes tender, itchy, or keeps returning to the same spot, you may begin wondering what’s causing it.

Many people experience these mysterious bumps near the hairline, especially around the back of the neck.

Sometimes they appear after a haircut. Other times, they develop without an obvious reason.

Although most are not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and frustrating.

The skin on your scalp contains numerous hair follicles and oil-producing glands. When these follicles become blocked or inflamed, small bumps can develop.

But not every bump on the back of the head is actually acne.

And there’s one common scalp condition that can look exactly like a pimple but may require a different approach to treatment.

Continue below in Part 2