What’s Lurking Under the Skin? An Overview of Skin Cysts, Lumps, and Bumps
It’s normal to have changes in our skin. It’s also okay to be a bit alarmed when you feel a lump or bump on your skin. You may think it’s a sign of something serious, but the truth is that most lumps and bumps are harmless.
We get freckles, moles, and wrinkles as we age. But what about those mysterious lumps and bumps that show up on our skin out of nowhere? Should you be concerned if you have a cyst or lump on your skin?
The good news is that most lumps and bumps are nothing to worry about; however, it is important to understand what they are and when you should seek medical advice.
Let’s take a look at some of the common types of skin lumps and bumps, its causes, and what you should do if you find one.
Skin Cysts
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs just beneath the surface of the skin. They can range in size from small to large and can be painful to the touch if they become infected.
These can appear anywhere on the body but are often found on the neck, scalp, face, chest, upper back, or groin area.
Lumps & Bumps
These are raised areas on the skin that may contain pus or other fluids. While some lumps can be cancerous or precancerous, most lumps and bumps are benign (non-cancerous).
Common causes include acne, warts, seborrheic keratosis (skin growths), melanoma (pigmented lesions), moles, and other non-threatening conditions like abscesses or boils.
Most of these lumps will go away without treatment but if any of them change in size or shape over time, it’s important to consult with your doctor right away for further evaluation.
Types of Skin Lumps and Bumps
There are many different types of lumps, bumps, and cysts that can appear on the skin. Here are some common ones:
Sebaceous Cyst
Sebaceous cysts are another type of cyst that appears as a small bumps under the skin that may be tender or painful when touched. These occur when oil glands become clogged with dirt and debris.
They can range in size from very small to quite large and can become inflamed if they get infected.
Treatment for sebaceous cysts involves draining them using a sterile needle and cleaning them out with alcohol swabs to prevent infection from occurring again in the future. An antibiotic or corticosteroid cream can also help reduce symptoms and shrink the cyst in size.
Skin Tag
These look like tiny flaps of flesh hanging from the skin. They typically occur in areas where clothes rub against the skin, such as the neck, armpits or eyelids.. Though they aren’t dangerous, they can become irritated if clothing is too tight.
These growths can range in size from very small (the size of a grain of rice) to quite large (the size of a grape).
They don’t require any special treatment but if you find one particularly bothersome for cosmetic reasons then it can be quickly removed by a dermatologist via laser treatment or freezing methods such as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.
Milia
These are tiny white bumps that form when keratin gets trapped just beneath the surface of the skin. They usually appear on the face but can also develop elsewhere in the body. Milia usually don’t require any treatment but can be removed by a dermatologist if desired.
Lipoma
Another common type of lump is a lipoma, which is a slow-growing mass of fat cells located right beneath the skin. Lipomas are usually soft and non-cancerous, but they may require surgery to remove them if they become too large or uncomfortable. To read more about lipoma removal procedure, visit Lipoma Surgery Singapore web page.
Keratosis Pilaris
This is a common condition that causes raised red bumps to form around hair follicles on your arms or legs. The cause is unknown but it often runs in families and tends to improve with age or during pregnancy. There are many other types of lumps and cysts that can appear on the skin so it is always best to consult with a dermatologist if you notice anything unusual growing on your body.
When Should You Be Concerned ?
Most lumps and bumps don’t require any medical attention; however, there are certain instances when you should see your doctor for further evaluation.
Anytime you notice a lump or bump on your skin that has been there for more than two weeks, it’s best to have it checked out by your doctor right away as it could be a sign of something more serious such as cancer.
If the lump is painful or growing rapidly in size, it may be an indication that something more serious is going on beneath the surface of your skin. You should also see your doctor if you notice any changes in color or texture around the lump—or if it begins to ooze pus or other fluids.
In some cases, these types of lumps may indicate an infection or even cancerous growths that need to be addressed as soon as possible by a qualified medical professional.
When to See a Doctor?
It is important to see your doctor for any new growths or changes in existing moles or lesions that could indicate something more serious such as melanoma (skin cancer).
It is also important to get medical attention for any growths that are causing pain or discomfort, bleeding, oozing pus, draining fluid, or changing in size or color over time as these could be signs of an infection or something more serious like cancerous cells forming within the lump/cyst itself.
In addition, if you have any family history of melanoma then it’s especially important to get checked out sooner rather than later so your doctor can keep an eye out for any potential warning signs of this deadly disease developing anywhere on your body.
Conclusion
No one likes discovering strange bumps or lumps on their skin—it’s enough to send anyone into panic mode! Don’t let those lumps and bumps intimidate you!
Most are harmless but it’s always best practice to get checked out by a doctor just to make sure everything is alright underneath your skin. If left untreated for too long certain types could lead to infection so it’s best not to ignore them just because they may look benign at first glance.
Make sure you pay attention to any changes in existing moles/lesions & keep an eye out for anything new appearing since this could indicate something more serious going on underneath!
With regular check-ups, you’ll feel better knowing all those lumps & bumps are nothing more than harmless beauty marks!