A pyogenic granuloma (pie-uh-JEN-ik gran-yeh-LOW-muh) is a kind of skin growth that happens when tiny blood vessels build up in an area of skin. It shows up suddenly and grows over just a few weeks or months. 

Pyogenic granulomas are not painful or harmful, but the blood vessels may cause bleeding. While the bleeding may look like a lot on the surface, the bleeding is not enough to cause any problems from blood loss.

Pyogenic granulomas don't usually go away on their own. If needed, a health care provider removes a pyogenic granuloma with surgery or other treatments like cold or laser therapy. Sometimes the growth comes back and needs to be treated again.

• If the granuloma begins to bleed:
  • Put a clean, cold cloth on it and apply firm pressure for 10 minutes. 
  • If it is still bleeding after 10 minutes, apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
  • If it continues to bleed after 20 minutes of pressure, call your health care provider.
• Do not try to remove a pyogenic granuloma yourself by cutting, picking, or any other method.
• Make sure your child knows not to rub, scratch, or pick at the growth. This could lead to bleeding and infection.

The pyogenic granuloma:

• Seems like it may be infected. Signs include warmth, swelling, or redness of the skin near it.
• Changes color or size.
• Becomes painful or turns into a sore.

What causes a pyogenic granuloma? An injury or some medicines can cause a pyogenic granuloma. But most develop for no clear reason.

Where do pyogenic granulomas form? Pyogenic granulomas can develop on many areas of the skin. They're most common on the hands, feet, neck, chest, back, and face. A person can have one or many at a time.