Skin lumps

Considerations:
Most lumps and swellings are benign ; some are caused by infection, others by injury, external pressure, inflammation, or obstruction to the flow of blood. Some are cancers. In general, when a lump or swelling appears suddenly (over 24 to 48 hours) and is painful, it is usually caused by an injury or an infection. On the other hand, if the lump comes on gradually (over several days or weeks) and does not hurt, it may be a tumor and should be seen by the doctor.

Common Causes:
  • lipomas, fatty lumps under the skin
  • fibromas, smooth growths under the skin
  • enlarged lymph glands , usually in the armpits, neck, and groin
  • cyst , a closed sac in or under the skin that is lined with skin tissue and contains fluid or semisolid material
  • boils , painful, red bumps usually involving a hair follicle
  • corn or callus, caused by skin thickening in response to continued pressure (for example, from shoes) usually occurring on a toe or foot
  • warts , a skin virus that develops a rough, hard bump, usually appearing on a hand or foot and often with tiny black dots in the bump
  • moles , skin-colored, tan, or brown, bumps on the skin
  • abscess , fluid trapped in a closed space from which it cannot escape that becomes infected
  • cancer of the skin (any colored or pigmented spot that bleeds easily, changes size or shape, or crusts and doesn't heal)

Note: There may be other causes of skin lumps. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for skin lumps, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Fibromas, lipomas, or warts are harmless and do not need to be removed unless for cosmetic reasons. If the cause of the lump is in question, consult your health care provider.

For boils , relieve pain with gentle heat from warm-water soaks, a heating pad, hot water bottle, or lamp close to the skin. Prevent the spread of boils by using clean towels only once, or using paper towels and discarding them.

For cancer , consult your health care provider for therapy.

For skin lumps resulting from any other cause, follow the recommended therapy.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • there is any unexplained lump or swelling.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your skin lumps in detail may include:

  • time pattern
    • When did you first notice the lump?

  • location
    • Where is the lump?
    • Is there more than one?

  • type
    • Is the lump rubbery or capable of changing shape (fluctuant)?
    • Is it sac-like cystic?

  • location
    • Is it over a joint?
    • Is it over the back of the elbow (olecranon)?
    • Is it in the back of the heel (Achilles tendon)?
    • Is it over a muscle that extends or straightens a joint (extensor surface)?

  • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the lump(s). If cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be done.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for fighting infection (if indicated).

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to skin lumps, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.


This large mass of cauliflower-like tissue is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and is a sexually transmitted disease.



Warts may occur on any area of the body. These are typical looking warts on the face.



Lesions around the nail (periungual fibromas) are associated with tuberous sclerosis, an inherited nerve and skin (neurocutaneous) disorder. This photograph shows a person with multiple large fibromas.



This picture shows a typical example of a digital fibroma, with the characteristic skin color, shape, and smooth appearance.



Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous), fatty tumors. The lipoma in this picture is seen as a lump on a surface that would otherwise be smooth.



This person has a wart (verruca) that has built up a cutaneous horn which is made up of hard keratin. This does not slough-off like normal skin cells.



This is a picture of warts around the fingernails (periungual). These are common warts, but are located around the fingernails and may grow under the fingernail. Periungual warts are difficult to treat.



Warts are caused by a virus and can be spread around on the body (autoinnoculation). By scratching, this individual has spread the virus in a line, causing a line of warts to develop. This linear type spread of warts or other conditions is called the Koebner phenomenon.



Warts are a very common skin condition. They frequently appear as single lesions or in small groups. This is a photograph of an unusually severe and extensive case of warts. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



Liposarcoma on the right forearm. This is a highly malignant tumor composed of fat and muscle cells.



A lipoma is a benign fatty tumor found in the subcutaneous layer just below the skin. These lumps can be multiple and present for many years.



This person has massively enlarged cervical lymph nodes (cervical lymphadenopathy) that have occurred because of an advanced case of Hodgkin's disease.



An example of raised genital warts in the male. The virus which causes this condition is sexually transmitted. Genital warts are easier to treat in the male than the female. There is controversy as to whether the virus can be completely eliminated.



This is the typical appearance of the raised type of genital wart. They may produce large, cauliflower-like lesions. Less than one third of genital warts are raised. Most are difficult to see and require the application of acetic acid to be made visible. Genital warts is a sexually transmitted disease but individuals may be unaware that they are infected and subsequently pass the virus on to an unsuspecting partner. Genital warts are cause by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and in combination with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), is thought to play a role in cancer of the cervix.



This child has a Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection with large numbers of warts around the anus. Genital warts in children are suggestive, but not definitive evidence, of possible sexual abuse.



This child has perianal (around the anus) warts. They are caused by Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Genital warts in children are suggestive, but not definitive evidence, of possible sexual abuse.







Perianal (on the anus) warts in the male may resemble genital warts in the female, as the moist conditions promote growth of the warts.



This is a severe case of genital warts, also called condyloma (accuminata), on the labia.