When to Worry vs. Not Worry About Lumps Under Your Skin
Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD
If you find a new bump on your body, you might wonder when to worry about a lump under the skin. The good news is most lumps are harmless. Still, you should see a healthcare provider any time you notice an unexplained growth or unusual swelling.
Bumps can crop up in different places on your body. They can be benign (noncancerous), malignant (cancerous), or infectious (caused by an infection). Normal, benign lumps typically feel soft and roll easily under your fingers. They may cause pain if they become infected or inflamed. On the other hand, cancerous lumps usually grow in size and are hard, large, and painless.
This article will discuss the most common types of skin lumps and when you should worry about a potentially dangerous lesion.
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13 Possible Types of Lumps Under Skin
There are many types of skin lumps, and they can have different causes.
Cysts
A cyst is a sac that may contain fluid, air, tissue, or another material. It can form when normal skin cellular turnover is disturbed. Most of the time, cysts are not cancerous.
You can spot a cyst by looking for a small opening, called a pore or punctum, in the center of the lump. But sometimes, this pore is hard to see. Cysts typically have a smooth surface and roll under the skin when pressure is applied.
There are hundreds of different types of cysts. Some common ones are:
Epidermoid cysts: These contain skin cells and protein.
Sebaceous cysts: This type of cyst consists of small sacs filled with keratin (a fibrous protein found in hair, nails, and skin).
Ganglion cysts: These appear on top of a joint or tendon and are caused by an accumulation of leaking joint fluid.
Baker’s cysts: These are caused by a buildup of trapped joint fluid behind the knee.
Breast or ovarian cysts: These are usually benign.
Lipomas
Lipomas are benign growths that are made up of fat tissue. They're soft, small, and rubbery lumps just below the skin. Most lipomas appear on the shoulders, upper back, arms, buttocks, and upper thighs.
They typically don't cause pain and may move if you push on them gently. Lipomas don't require treatment unless they cause discomfort or are unsightly.
Cause of Lipomas
The exact cause of lipomas isn't known, but some research shows genetics may play a role.
Dermatofibromas
A dermatofibroma is a small, round, noncancerous bump. They’re usually pink, reddish, or brown. Typically, dermatofibromas can be left alone, but surgery is an option for some people.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
If a lymph node is swollen, it can cause what looks like a bump under the skin. These lumps may be painful and feel hard.
Lymph nodes are bean-shaped organs in the lymphatic system. They house immune cells and serve to filter foreign particles from body fluids. They can enlarge and swell as part of the body’s response to a bacterial or viral infection. Less commonly, lymph node swelling can be a sign of cancer or another serious condition.
You may be able to feel lymph nodes in some regions of your body, including the following:
Groin
Armpit
Neck
Under the chin and jaw
Back of the head
Behind the ears
Learn More: Causes of a Lump on the Back of the Neck
Moles
Moles are common skin growths that develop when skin cells grow in a cluster. Most adults have 20 to 40 moles. They range in color from flesh-toned to dark brown. Moles are usually harmless, but some can be cancerous. Having a healthcare provider look at any suspicious mole is a good idea.
Related: Lump in Groin: Causes With or Without Pain
Warts
Warts are noncancerous growths on the skin that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can grow anywhere but commonly crop up on the hands, fingers, and feet. There are different types of warts, including:
Common warts: These are usually small, hard bumps that are dome-shaped and grayish-brown in color. Their rough surface might resemble a cauliflower with black dots.
Flat warts: These warts are smoother and have flat tops. They can be pink, light brown, or yellow.
Plantar warts: These usually form on the bottom of the foot and can be painful.
Filiform warts: These are shaped like a finger and are usually flesh-colored.
Boils and Abscesses
Boils and abscesses are hard, painful lumps filled with pus (a collection of white blood cells, microbes, and tissue debris). They’re typically caused by bacteria.
A boil is more superficial and can appear anywhere on the body, but it commonly affects the neck, face, armpits, buttocks, and thighs. An abscess may be deeper, and the skin over it appears red, raised, and swollen.
You might also be able to see yellow or white in the lump due to the pus underneath the surface of your skin. Some people also experience fever and chills with an abscess.
Often, a boil or abscess will break and drain on its own. But sometimes, a healthcare provider must intervene and drain the pus.
Hands Off
You shouldn't try to pick or pop a boil, abscess, or other lump. This can lead to an infection or cause the lump to grow in size.
Hernias
A hernia occurs when a body part bulges through the wall of muscle or tissue that usually holds it. Hernias can appear as a slight lump or bulge under the skin. They usually develop in the groin or abdomen and may cause pain.
Goiters
A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland, a gland located in the neck that makes hormones to help control many body functions. It appears as a swollen lump in the neck.
Though they’re usually harmless, some goiters are caused by thyroid cancer. For this reason, seeing a healthcare provider is essential if you develop a goiter.
Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors that are usually:
Round
Painless
Firm
Smooth
Rubbery
Flat
When touched, fibroadenomas usually move easily. Sometimes, no treatment is needed, but a surgeon may remove the noncancerous growth.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. If you have a hemorrhoid, you might feel a bulge or lump in these areas. You may also experience pain and swelling.
Cancer
In rare cases, a lump under the skin can be cancerous. You may feel cancerous growths under the skin in the breast, testicles, neck, arms, or legs.
A type of skin cancer called soft tissue sarcoma can cause a cancerous lump to form almost anywhere on the body.
Testing a Lump
If a lump looks suspicious, a healthcare provider may order a biopsy to determine if it's cancerous. This involves removing a piece of tissue and sending it to a lab to analyze.
When to Worry vs. Not Worry
While it's hard not to worry, you should know that most skin lumps aren't cause for concern.
Here are some signs that a suspicious lump could be harmful:
It abruptly becomes very hard and feels like a rock under the skin.
It grows quickly.
It starts to bleed.
It becomes a wound.
It's always a good idea to see a healthcare provider any time you develop an unexplained lump on your skin. They can help determine whether it's serious or harmless.
Screening and Places to Look
Skin lumps can form virtually anywhere on the body. It’s a good idea to perform frequent skin self-exams to look for new or unusual lesions. Many healthcare providers recommend that you do a skin check once a month. Skin exams should be performed in front of a mirror in a well-lit room for best results.
Summary
Finding a lump under the skin is common and usually nothing to worry about. Lumps have different causes and can appear all over the body. Many benign lumps can be left alone without any treatment.
A bump rarely turns out to be cancerous or causes another serious condition. Knowing the signs of a potentially dangerous growth can help you distinguish between a normal and abnormal lesion.
See a healthcare provider about a new or suspicious-looking growth. If it is cancer, catching it early on can improve your chances for successful treatment and a good outcome.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
