Bumps or lumps under skin happen due to abnormal growth of your body cells. Initially, they are harmless for your skin and there are different types of lumps, such as non-cancerous, malignant, and infectious. In the beginning, it’s assumed to be non-cancerous. These are soft and painless in nature. You can easily roll them with your fingers.
But when it grows, it becomes hard and large but remains painless. These hard lumps under skin are malignant. In such cases, they need immediate medical consultation to treat them. Another type of lump is the infectious lump. They cause pain, and sometimes, they might indicate inflammation or other critical issues. So, you should consult with a medical professional to know its possible causes and treatments.
So, let’s read on to understand more about these lumps and what should be your course of action.
Causes of Hard Lumps Under Skin
There are many possible causes of hard lumps under skin. Some of the most common ones are:
1. Cysts
The cysts are formed when the normal cellular disposal of skin is disturbed. They are sacs filled with fluid, tissue, air, hair, or other materials. A cyst may or may not contain a punctum or pore. You can find it by looking over it. But sometimes, the pore can’t be seen from outside.
Generally, the cysts have a smooth surface. You will feel something rolling under your skin when you create a little pressure on it. Sometimes, a pimple turned into a hard lump under skin, which may cause a cyst. Most of the time, they are non-cancerous. Different types of cysts exist, such as epidermoid, ganglion, sebaceous, ovarian, and baker’s cysts.
2. Lipomas
Lipomas are created by fat tissues and grown due to the benign growth of cells. They are soft, rubbery, and small-sized lumps under the skin. Generally, lipomas don’t create pain. Most of these lumps have been found on the arms, shoulders, upper back, upper thighs, and buttocks. These minor types of cysts don’t need any treatment. But if they cause discomfort or pain, you must consult a doctor.
3. Dermatofibromas
Dermatofibromas are non-cancerous lumps and appear as small and round-shaped. Usually, they are reddish, brown, or pink and are often caused by insect bites. Sometimes, they can be due to minor injuries and splinters as well. People with weak immune systems may have multiple dermatofibromas. Moreover, they tend to appear as a hard lump under skin on leg. They don’t need any treatment. But some people need surgery to get rid of them.
4. Keratoacanthomas
These are dome-shaped lumps and a type of skin cancer. Whenever you notice it, you must consult a doctor, and treatment in the earlier stage gives positive results. They are commonly found in people aged 60 or above with darker skin. The causes behind these lumps are – HPV infection, genetic issues, sun exposure, weak immune system, and cancer from chemicals.
5. Skin Abscesses and Boils
Abscesses and boils are painful lumps that contain pus, such as – microbes, tissue debris, and white blood cells. You can even see the white or yellow spots within the lumps. These are the cause of pus that fills your lump. An abscess may appear raised, swollen, and red.
Now, the boils can appear in any part of your body, like – the face, neck, buttocks, armpits, etc. And you should not try to push out the pus, as it will lead the abscess or boil to infection.
6. Swollen Lymph Nodes
A swollen lymph node creates a hard lump under skin. Later, these lumps become painful. Lymph nodes contain immune cells and help to excrete foreign materials through body fluids. They are shaped like beans and the parts of the lymphatic system. They can swell as a sign of the body’s response to viral or bacterial infection. These nodes can appear on different body regions, such as – the armpit, neck, groyne, back of the head, ear, etc.
7. Hernias
Generally, hernias are formed within the abdomen or groyne. They are the internal organ bulge that originates due to salty water secretion of the gland. The symptoms here are – dull ache, burning sensation, heaviness, etc. However, some patients may realise the bump after the formation.
8. Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are small and round and usually painless but they can be painful if any pressure is created on the nerve. Most of the time, they appear on women aged between 15 and 40. These cysts happen due to iteration or trauma. Generally, they are found on the hand, foot, ankle, and wrist.
Solutions for Hard Lumps under Skin
Often, hard lumps under the skin don’t need any treatment. However, some lumps may indicate an infection, inflammation, or a more serious condition. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to know when to worry about a lump under skin:
- The lump grows rapidly or changes in size, shape, or colour
- It is painful, red, hot, or oozing pus or blood
- It interferes with your movement or function
- The lump affects your breathing, swallowing, or vision
- The lump is accompanied by fever, night sweats, weight loss, or fatigue
- When you have a weak immune system or a history of cancer
After examining the lump or lumps, the doctor suggests some tests. Remember that the doctor will provide treatment based on the lumps’ type, cause, and nature.
- Antibiotics have anti-infectious properties, which kill bacteria. So, the doctor may prescribe some antibiotics for skin abscesses, boils, or swollen lymph nodes.
- For dermatofibromas and ganglion cysts, the doctor prescribes corticosteroid injections. These are the types of anti-inflammatory drugs which reduce pain and swelling.
- The doctor may prescribe needle aspiration to remove the fluid inside the lumps. This treatment works for the large and painful cysts or abscesses.
- Surgical removal is a good option to remove the lump under the skin. It can remove the entire lump from the human body. This becomes a suitable option for cysts, lipomas, and hernias.
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen is a procedure for applying a very cold substance to the lump. It destroys the cells of the lump and makes it shrink or disappear. This is more suitable for dermatofibromas and keratoacanthomas.
- Moreover, shaving the top layers of the lump is recommended for some patients. The method involves removing the upper portion of the lump without affecting the internal tissues.
- For cancerous tumours, treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplant are suggested.
Additionally, you should maintain the following precautions:
- Clean your skin and moisturise regularly. This practice protects your skin from getting clogged.
- Avoid squeezing your lumps by fingers or nails. It causes severe infection.
- You can apply ice packs or warm compression on the lumps to reduce pain.
- Always follow your doctor’s suggestion and take medicines as per recommendation.
- Also, check your skin regularly if any new lumps or bumps are found.
Conclusion
So, now you are aware of the hard lumps under skin and why they appear. Also, we have discussed the best solution for this disease. Hopefully, this write-up has presented the insights you were looking for and you can now diagnose and start treatment of lumps before they become severe.
