Lumps, Bumps, and Cysts

Here to help you make informed decisions about
your skin and health.

Here to help you make informed decisions about your skin and health.

Lumps, Bumps, and Cysts

Different kinds of 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
Epidermoid Cysts (Sebaceous Cysts)
Folliculitis
Keratoacanthoma

Keratosis Pilaris
Lipomas
Neurofibromas
Skin Cysts

Dermatologist inspecting a patient's cyst

Common forms

Most common forms of skin lumps, bumps & 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 infected, will become red and tender
Can produce a thick yellow, cheese-like discharge when squeezed

TREATMENT

Antibiotics might be prescribed if there is an underlying infection
Dermatologist removes the discharge and the sac (capsule) that make up the walls of the cyst to prevent a recurrence
Laser surgery may be used for sensitive areas of the skin, like the face

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)
Higher incidence among people with diabetes, the obese or those with compromised immune systems

TREATMENT

Topical antibiotics
Oral antibiotics
Antifungal medications
Eliminating the cause

Keratoacanthoma

CHARACTERISTICS

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

TREATMENT

Cryotherapy (freezing off the bump with liquid nitrogen
Curettage (surgically cutting out or scraping off)

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

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
Appear most commonly on the trunk, shoulders and neck
May be single or multiple
Usually painless unless putting pressure on a nerve

TREATMENT

Usually does not require treatment unless it is compressing on the surrounding tissue
Easy to remove via excision

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

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

Closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid or pus
Can appear anywhere on the skin
Smooth to the touch; feels like a pea underneath the surface
Slow growing and generally is painless and benign
Only needs attention if it becomes infected or inflamed

TREATMENT

Usually does not require treatment; often disappears on its own
May need to be drained by a physician
Inflamed cysts respond to an injection of cortisone, which causes it to shrivel

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