“Skin lumps” can be divided into three different categories, says Dr. Seminario-Vidal:
Benign: Noncancerous and may require no treatmentInflammatory or infectious: Requires treatment but is not life-threateningMalignant: These are cancerous and would require treatment in the short-term (rather than a wait-and-see approach)
A lump that feels soft, mushy, or squishyA lump that feels mobileA lump that’s fixedA lump that’s firmA lump that feels hardA lump that’s red and inflamedA lump that’s painfulA lump that has a central poreA lump that looks well-defined under the skinA lump that has an irregular contourA lump that is growing
In addition, depending on the cause, you could experience accompanying symptoms to the skin lump. For instance, one sign of lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system, is enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits, neck, or groin, along with fever and night sweats, according to the Mayo Clinic. (1)
Skin Tag
Cyst
Wart
Dermatofibroma
Lipoma
Enlarged Lymph Node
If you had an infection, lymph nodes shrink to their normal size after you get better. They should still feel smooth and mobile. However, a lymphoma, or cancer in the lymph node, may become firm or hard and fixed. There may also be other symptoms of cancer, like decreased appetite, weight loss, fever, and chills. Deeper lesions or potentially cancerous lumps may be evaluated with imaging first. This can be done with scans like computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or ultrasound, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). (7)
Prognosis of Skin Lumps
“When patients notice a lump, they’re often understandably concerned, but most of them are benign,” says Hartman. Benign (noncancerous):
Skin Tags (3)Cysts (8)Lipoma (9)Wart (4)Dermatofibroma (6)Enlarged lymph node, if caused by a viral infection, like the common cold
Possibly cancerous:
An enlarged lymph node, if caused by lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph system (1)New, changing, itching, or bleeding spot, lesion, or bump on skin, which could point to a nonmelanoma or melanoma skin cancer, notes the American Academy of Dermatology (10)
Cancerous:
Dermatofibrosarcoma (6)
Skin Tag Skin tags are benign, and they do not need to be removed. However, if a skin tag is removed, it may be taken off using one of three methods: snip excision, cautery, or cryosurgery. (3) (Cryosurgery is when your doctor will use a cold liquid, like liquid nitrogen, to freeze the skin tag, says the National Cancer Institute.) (11) It’s important to know that you should not try to remove a skin tag on your own, as they can bleed when taken off. Cyst To get rid of a cyst, you will need it removed, says Hartman. But first: Do not take matters into your own hands. “I tell people not to pop them. Squeezing it may press out keratin, but that does not get rid of the problem, and may make it worse by causing more inflammation,” she says. The wall, or lining, of the cyst needs to come out, too, which your doctor can do by cutting out the cyst. They won’t do this until inflammation has subsided. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Cysts can also be drained as a temporary solution; doctors can also give a cyst a steroid injection to help calm it. Wart It may take quite a while (potentially years), but your wart will eventually disappear without treatment. (4) At home, you can use an over-the-counter wart removal kit. At the doctor’s office, you may get a wart frozen off with liquid nitrogen. Dermatofibroma These are benign, but surgical removal is an option, according to StatPearls. (12) There is a rare skin cancer called a dermatofibrosarcoma, which develops in connective tissue in the dermal layer of skin and grows slowly, according to the Mayo Clinic. (13) Treating this type of skin cancer requires surgery, though radiation or targeted therapy drugs may also be used. Lipoma If a patient has a lot of lipomas, doctors usually recommend not removing them, says Hartman. However, if the lipoma is large, growing, or bothersome, a doctor will cut out the lipoma. The minor procedure requires an injection to numb the area, but takes just 30 minutes, she says. Enlarged Lymph Node You don’t need to treat an enlarged lymph node itself, but you’d treat the underlying cause. If lymph nodes are enlarged because you are sick with a viral infection like a cold, they should go back to their normal size once you recover, says Hartman. That said, if you find an enlarged lymph node that’s 1 centimeter (cm) or less, it’s soft, and you can move it around, that’s less concerning. Doctors may take a wait-and-see approach, and follow up to make sure it’s gone down, says Seminario-Vidal. If you are diagnosed with lymphoma, then you will be treated appropriately for cancer, which may include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted drugs, and bone marrow transplant. (1)
Integrative and Complementary Approaches
For many lumps, there is not much you can do at home. However, using a warm compress on a cyst that is red and angry can lessen inflammation to ease soreness, says Hartman. When it comes to warts, there have been many alternative treatments suggested, some mainstream (duct tape), while others are more radical (distance healers that channel energy into the wart). None of the homeopathic remedies have been proven effective, notes data from InformedHealth.org. (14) Skin Tag Fifty to 60 percent of the general population have skin tags, with males and females being equal. (3) Cyst Epidermoid cysts are most common in people who are in their thirties and forties, and occur twice as often in men versus women, according to StatPearls. (17) Wart One-third of children and teenagers have warts, while just 3 to 5 percent of adults have warts, according to InformedHealth.org. (18) Dermatofibroma These are most common for people in their twenties, thirties, and forties, and may be more likely to occur in females. (12) Lipoma: One every 1,000 people develop a lipoma, according to Cleveland Clinic. (9) You can get them at any age, but are more likely in adults aged 40 to 60. Lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common cancers in the US, according to the American Cancer Society. (19) In 2020, about 77,240 people will be diagnosed with NHL. Men account for more diagnoses compared with women. The AAD provides up-to-date information on skin, hair, and nail conditions, how to protect your skin from cancer, and caring for your skin at any age. Skin Cancer Foundation Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Get facts, statistics, prevention strategies, and treatments for nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer. Skin of Color Society Provides education for African Americans, Asians, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Indians and Pacific Islanders on skin diseases and their causes. The organization also seeks to clear up misinformation on treatments for skin conditions. American Cancer Society Stay current on the types of cancer, their causes, treatments, and prognosis. Read about the latest in cancer research and breakthrough treatment. The organization also has a 24/7/365 live helpline when you need it.
Favorite App for Skin Lump Info
Aysa Upload a photo of your skin concern via your smartphone and enter your symptoms. The app then gives a few possible matches of what it could be. It does not replace a visit with your dermatologist, but it can help make your internet search easier.
Favorite Online Program for Skin Lump Info
First Derm Here’s an online portal where you can upload a photo of your skin concern, which gets sent to a board-certified dermatologist for review. (The fee starts at $29.95.) Someone will reply within 24 hours, and you’ll either have peace of mind about your lump, bump, or lesion, or you’ll be directed to an in-person dermatologist for more help.
Favorite Videos for Skin Lump Info
Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) YouTube The videos are definitely gross-you-out, but this board-certified dermatologist has nearly seven million subscribers to her YouTube channel. Dr. Pimple Popper extracts all types of cysts, lipomas, and acne lesions. If you can handle watching, it’ll provide insight as to what’s going on with your skin — and how it may be removed.
