Lumps, Bumps, and Cysts

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of lumps, bumps and cysts associated with the skin. Fortunately, the vast majority of these are harmless and painless. The chart below provides a guide for some of the most common forms of skin lumps, bumps and cysts.

Dermatofibromas

Characteristics

  • Red, brown or purple growth; generally benign
  • Usually found on arms and legs
  • Feels like a hard lump
  • Can be itchy, tender to the touch and sometimes painful

Treatment

  • Usually does not require treatment
  • Most common removal by surgical excision or cryotherapy (freezing it off with liquid nitrogen)

Epidermoid Cysts (Sebaceous Cysts)

Characteristics

  • Round small bumps, usually white or yellow
  • Forms from blocked oil glands in the skin
  • Most commonly appear on the face, back, neck, trunk and genitals
  • Usually benign; occasionally leads to basal or squamous cell skin cancers
  • If inflamed by physical trauma, will become very tender, hot and swollen, mimicking an infection.
  • Can produce a thick yellow, cheese-like discharge when squeezed

Treatment

  • The only definitive treatment is surgical excision of the sac and pore;.merely draing the cyst will only lead to recurrence.

Folliculitis

Characteristics

  • Red pimples around areas having hair
  • Inflammation of the hair follicles
  • Caused by infection or chemical or physical irritation (e.g., shaving, fabrics)
  • Is a very strong indicator of carborhydrate overload, and a good predictor or pre diabetes or diabetes.
  • Can be aggravated by poor hygiene

Treatment

  • Topical antibiotics
  • Oral antibiotics
  • Antifungal medications
  • Eliminating the cause which is mostly excess carbs on the skin leading to bacterial, fungal or yeast overgrowth

Keratoacanthoma

Characteristics

  • Red, dome-shaped, thick bumps with craters in the center
  • Abnormal growth of hair cells, a form of squamous cell skin cancer
  • Triggered by minor skin injury such as a cut or bug bite with underlying significant sun damage
  • Ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure is the most common risk factor

Treatment

  • surgical excision for invasive tumors ; shave excision with electrodessication for more superficial lesions

Keratosis Pilaris

Characteristics

  • Small, rough white or red bumps that neither itch nor hurt
  • Usually worse during winter months or when there is low humidity and the skin gets dry
  • Ofte associated with atopjc dermatitis, sensitive skin , allergies etc'

Treatment

  • Usually does not require treatment
  • In most cases disappears on its own by age 30
  • Intensive moisturizing is the first line of treatment
  • For more difficult cases, use of medicated creams with urea or alpha-hydroxy acids

Lipomas

Characteristics

  • Soft fatty tissue tumors or nodules below the skin's surface
  • Usually slow growing and benign ;however painful or fast growing lesions should be removed and biopsied
  • Appear most commonly on the trunk, shoulders and neck
  • May be single or multiple
  • Can become quite painful when compressed and may intefere with motion

Treatment

  • Surgical excision and complete removal when indicated
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Neurofibromas

Characteristics

  • Soft fleshy growths under the skin
  • Slow growing and generally benign and painless
  • Pain may indicate a need for medical attention
  • May experience an electrical shock at the touch
  • May be associated with a genetic disorder

Treatment

  • Usually does not require treatment, particularly if it does not cause any symptoms
  • If it affects a nerve, it may be removed surgically

Skin Cysts

Characteristics:

This is a generl term to include any growth that is raised and filled with content.already mentioned iare sebaceous cysts. There are pilar cyst and inclusion cysts and acne cysts etc.

 

Treatment:

  • Dedpends on the cyst type and symptoms;some can be drained, expressed, shaved or surgically removed.