Common lumps and bumps
These are very common and can appear at any age. The type of lump decides whether it needs treatment and how it is removed.
Under the Skin
- Lipoma
- A soft, rubbery lump of fat that moves under the skin. It grows slowly and is usually painless. It is common on the shoulders, back, arms and thighs.
- Sebaceous cyst (epidermoid cyst)
- A round lump just under the skin, often with a small dark dot on top. It contains a thick, cheesy material and can become red, painful and infected.
- Ganglion
- A firm, fluid-filled swelling next to a joint or tendon, most often on the wrist or foot. It can change in size.
- Neurofibroma
- A soft, painless lump that grows from a small nerve under the skin. Most people have just one; some have several.
- Swollen lymph gland
- Glands in the neck, armpit or groin often swell with an infection and settle by themselves within a few weeks. A gland that stays enlarged should be examined.
On the Skin Surface
- Skin tag
- A small, soft flap of skin on a narrow stalk, common on the neck, armpits and eyelids. It is harmless but can catch on clothing or jewellery.
- Seborrhoeic keratosis
- A raised brown or black patch that looks “stuck on” to the skin. It is harmless and becomes more common with age.
- Wart
- A rough, hard bump caused by a virus, usually on the hands or feet, often with tiny black dots in it.
- Corn or callus
- Thickened, hard skin caused by repeated pressure or rubbing, usually on the feet or toes.
Infected Lumps
- Boil
- A painful, red bump around an infected hair root.
- Abscess
- A larger, painful collection of pus under the skin, with redness and warmth. It needs to be drained.
A lump in the groin, near the navel or over an old operation scar may be a hernia rather than a lipoma. It should be examined before any treatment is planned.
How it is assessed
Most lumps are diagnosed by examination in the clinic. For a larger or deeper lump, an ultrasound helps plan the removal. Occasionally another scan or a small sample (biopsy) is taken first.
When is removal advised?
Not every lump needs to be removed. Removal is advised when a lump is growing, painful or keeps getting infected, when it catches on clothing or while shaving, or when you would like it removed because of how it looks.
An infected cyst is treated first, with drainage if there is pus. It is removed once the infection has settled, usually a few weeks later. An abscess is drained at the time it is seen.
The procedure
Small lumps are removed in the clinic under local anaesthesia. Larger or deeper lumps are removed in hospital, under local or general anaesthesia. The lump is taken out through a small cut over it. For a cyst, the whole cyst wall is removed, because any wall left behind can let the cyst return. The removed tissue may be sent to the laboratory for examination.
Skin tags, warts and seborrhoeic keratoses are removed in the clinic under local anaesthesia. Corns and calluses are treated in the clinic, and comfortable footwear helps prevent them coming back. A lymph gland that needs testing can be sampled or removed through a small cut.
A boil or abscess is opened and drained, and the cavity is cleaned and dressed.
Recovery and follow-up
Most people return to desk work in 1–3 days. Keep the dressing clean and dry as advised. Avoid heavy lifting or strain on the area for a short time, especially after removal from the back or shoulder. An abscess wound may need regular dressings until it heals.
Seek advice if pain, redness or swelling increases, or if there is discharge or fever.
When to Seek Urgent Care
A red, hot and painful swelling that is spreading, with fever or feeling unwell, may mean a spreading infection. Seek prompt medical care. Do not squeeze or try to drain a lump yourself.