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 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 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
