Skin lumps

Skin lumps are any abnormal bumps or swellings on or under the skin.

Most lumps and swellings are benign (not cancerous) and are harmless, especially the kind that feel soft and roll easily under the fingers (such as lipomas and cysts).

A lump or swelling that appears suddenly (over 24 to 48 hours) and is painful is usually caused by an injury or an infection.

Causes

Common causes of skin lumps include:

Lipomas, which are fatty lumps under the skin
Enlarged lymph glands, usually in the armpits, neck, and groin
Enlarged lymph glands
Lymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...
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Cysts, a closed sac in or under the skin that is lined with skin tissue and contains fluid or semisolid material
Cysts
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.

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Benign skin growths such as seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, or neurofibromas
Boils, painful, red bumps usually involving an infected hair follicle or group of follicles
Boils
A boil is an infection that affects groups of hair follicles and nearby skin tissue. Related conditions include folliculitis, an inflammation of one ...
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Corns or calluses, caused by skin thickening in response to continued pressure (for example, from shoes) and usually occurring on a toe or foot
Corns or calluses
Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin. They are caused by repeated pressure or friction at the spot where the corn or callus develops....
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Warts, caused by a virus that develops a rough, hard bump, usually appearing on a hand or foot and often with tiny black dots in the bump
Warts
Warts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus ...
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Moles, skin-colored, tan, or brown bumps on the skin
Moles
A birthmark is a skin marking that is present at birth. Birthmarks include cafe-au-lait spots, moles, and Mongolian spots. Birthmarks can be red or...
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Abscesses, infected fluid and pus trapped in a closed space from which it cannot escape
Abscesses
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
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Cancer of the skin (colored or pigmented spot that bleeds easily, changes size or shape, or crusts and does not heal)
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.

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Home Care

Skin lumps from an injury can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Most other lumps should be looked at by your health care provider before you try any home treatments.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have an unexplained lump or swelling.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms, including:

Where is the lump?
When did you first notice it?
Is it painful or growing larger?
Is it bleeding or draining?
Is there more than one lump?
Is it painful?
What does the lump look like?
What other symptoms do you have?

Your provider may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection. If cancer is suspected or the provider cannot make a diagnosis by looking at the lump, a biopsy or an imaging test may be done.

Open References

References

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Dermal and subcutaneous tumors. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 28.

Seller RH, Symons AB. Skin problems. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 29.

Warts, multiple - on hands - illustration
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. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Warts, multiple - on hands
illustration
Lipoma - arm - illustration
A lipoma is a noncancerous growth of fatty tissue cells. A lipoma can develop in almost any organ of the body although they are most commonly found in the subcutaneous layer just below the skin. A lipoma usually grows slowly and is a nonpainful mass that is soft and moveable under the skin. Lipomas can also be associated with other syndromes where they are not so harmless. In the rare disease adiposis dolorosa there is swelling of the body and fatty deposits (lipomas) which apply pressure to the nerves, resulting in weakness and sometimes extreme pain. The amount of discomfort, irritation, or pain from the growth of a lipoma depends upon where in the body and what surrounding tissue or organ the lipoma has affected.
Lipoma - arm
illustration
Warts - flat on the cheek and neck - illustration
Warts may occur on any area of the body. These are typical looking warts on the face.
Warts - flat on the cheek and neck
illustration
Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe - illustration
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.
Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe
illustration
Skin lumps - illustration
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.
Skin lumps
illustration

Warts, multiple - on hands - illustration
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. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Warts, multiple - on hands
illustration
Lipoma - arm - illustration
A lipoma is a noncancerous growth of fatty tissue cells. A lipoma can develop in almost any organ of the body although they are most commonly found in the subcutaneous layer just below the skin. A lipoma usually grows slowly and is a nonpainful mass that is soft and moveable under the skin. Lipomas can also be associated with other syndromes where they are not so harmless. In the rare disease adiposis dolorosa there is swelling of the body and fatty deposits (lipomas) which apply pressure to the nerves, resulting in weakness and sometimes extreme pain. The amount of discomfort, irritation, or pain from the growth of a lipoma depends upon where in the body and what surrounding tissue or organ the lipoma has affected.
Lipoma - arm
illustration
Warts - flat on the cheek and neck - illustration
Warts may occur on any area of the body. These are typical looking warts on the face.
Warts - flat on the cheek and neck
illustration
Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe - illustration
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.
Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe
illustration
Skin lumps - illustration
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.
Skin lumps
illustration

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Skin lumps

Review Date: 6/7/2023

Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Library

Skin lumps

Benign

Causes

Enlarged lymph glands

Cysts

Boils

Corns or calluses

Warts

Moles

Abscesses

Cancer

Home Care

When to Contact a Medical Professional

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Biopsy

References

Warts, multiple - on hands - illustration

Warts, multiple - on hands

Lipoma - arm - illustration

Lipoma - arm

Warts - flat on the cheek and neck - illustration

Warts - flat on the cheek and neck

Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe - illustration

Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe

Skin lumps - illustration

Skin lumps

Warts, multiple - on hands - illustration

Warts, multiple - on hands

Lipoma - arm - illustration

Lipoma - arm

Warts - flat on the cheek and neck - illustration

Warts - flat on the cheek and neck

Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe - illustration

Wart (verruca) with a cutaneous horn on the toe

Skin lumps - illustration

Skin lumps

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Skin lumps

Related Information