Lumps-and-bumps-removal-minor-procedures-moles-cysts

Common Skin Lumps And Bumps: A Plastic Surgeon’s Guide

[post_date] [post_comments] [post_edit]











Most adults will a skin lump or bump at some point — and most are entirely benign. Moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, cherry angiomas, warts, dermatofibromas, xanthelasma, milia, seborrhoeic and a dozen other minor skin lesions are part of normal life. The question is rarely "is it dangerous?" — in the vast of cases it isn’t — but rather "what is it, do I need anything done about it, and if so what?"


This guide covers the most common types of skin lumps and bumps, how they differ from each other, when they need professional assessment, what options exist, and where minor sit in the wider service at Centre for Surgery’s Baker Street private hospital.


How to tell what kind of lump you have


Most skin lumps fall into a small number of categories. Each has characteristic — feel, depth, appearance, — that an can usually on alone. is rarely needed for the common benign lesions. Where any doubt exists, removal with provides definitive .


The most common skin lumps and bumps fall into these broad groups:


The rest of this guide covers each in turn, with features, common locations, and the typical approach we use at Centre for .


Moles


A mole — medically called a melanocytic naevus — is a benign of pigment-producing cells. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles, and most are entirely . New moles can appear up to around age 40; after this age, any new lesion professional review.


Moles come in many forms — flat or raised, brown or skin-coloured, smooth or slightly . What clinically is whether they show concerning such as asymmetry, irregular borders, colours, a greater than 6mm, or any change over time. For a full guide to benign moles from melanoma, see


At Centre for Surgery, moles are removed by using either shave excision, formal surgical excision, or laser — the right depends on the size, depth, location Wart and verruca removal clinical features of the mole. Laser mole removal is available for benign raised moles where laboratory analysis is not required. Every surgically mole is sent for as . For more detail on technique choice, see and


Cysts


The most common skin cyst in adults is the epidermoid cyst — widely referred to as a "sebaceous cyst", though the two terms are not technically . For the distinction, see .


An cyst forms when cells become beneath the skin surface, usually at a hair or after minor trauma. The trapped cells to produce keratin, which within a thin fibrous capsule, the firm, round, mobile lump of the condition. A small dark spot — the — is often visible on the skin surface above the cyst.


Common cyst sites include the face, neck, scalp, back and chest. Cysts are usually painless but can become acutely inflamed if the wall breaks down, producing a rapidly swollen, red, hot, tender lump. requires complete excision of the cyst wall — leaving any behind means the cyst will reform, as in


One thing patients should never attempt: removing a cyst at home. The reasons — and risks — are covered in


cysts a brief as they are particularly common in patients who have had ear piercings — see for the specific approach.


Lipomas


A lipoma is a benign, tumour made up of mature fat cells. It develops within the subcutaneous fat layer and is enclosed within a thin . Lipomas feel soft — often described as doughy or rubbery — and move freely beneath the skin when pressed. The skin normal, with no feature like a cyst’s punctum.


are the most common soft tissue tumour in adults, affecting approximately one in every hundred people. They most often develop on the shoulders, upper back, neck, upper arms and thighs. Most are solitary, but some multiple (a condition called lipomatosis).


Telling a lipoma apart from a cyst is one of the most common diagnostic questions at our clinic — the full breakdown is in .


at Centre for Surgery is under local as a day-case procedure. For most patients, surgical excision is the appropriate technique — see and for procedure and detail. For patients with multiple lipomas, in one session is available. Recurrence after complete is uncommon, as discussed in


Skin tags


Skin tags are small, soft, fleshy growths that hang from the skin on a thin stalk. They are entirely benign and develop most in skin folds — the neck, armpits, groin, under the and around the eyes. They are particularly common in middle age, in pregnancy, and in with type 2 diabetes.


Skin tags are and harmless, but can catch on or jewellery, become irritated, or be cosmetically bothersome. is straightforward — performed under local anaesthetic with cautery or fine excision. Healing is fast and the cosmetic result is .


Cherry angiomas


Cherry (also called Campbell de Morgan spots or red moles) are small, dome-shaped red or purple bumps caused by tiny of dilated blood vessels near the skin . They typically measure between 1 and 5mm and become more common with age. Most adults will at least one by their 40s.


Cherry angiomas are but can catch on clothing, bleed after shaving, or cause cosmetic concern. at Centre for Surgery uses Nd:YAG laser at 1064nm — the is selectively absorbed by haemoglobin within the and produces clearance with minimal mark on the skin. For the full guide, see


Warts and verrucas


Warts are small, growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can develop almost anywhere but are most common on the hands, feet (where they are called verrucas), and around the nails. Many resolve spontaneously over months to years, but persistent or symptomatic warts often warrant treatment.


options include cryotherapy, electrocautery, and surgical excision. The right choice on the size, location, depth and the patient’s history of previous . Recurrence is common with all because the virus can persist in surrounding skin — this is the nature of the rather than a of .


Dermatofibromas


are firm, benign that most develop on the legs, particularly in women. They are usually small (5–10mm), light brown to reddish-brown, and have a characteristic dimpled appearance when the skin is . They are thought to develop after a minor injury — sometimes an insect bite or shaving cut — and indefinitely without .


Dermatofibromas are benign but can be for other by the untrained eye. Surgical excision is the only treatment — they don’t to treatment or freezing. leaves a small linear scar that fades over six to twelve months.


Xanthelasma


Xanthelasma are yellowish, lipid-rich plaques that develop on the eyelids — most commonly on the upper inner aspect of the upper eyelid. They are most often associated with elevated cholesterol levels, though not all with have abnormal lipid .


at Centre for Surgery uses erbium laser for surface ablation in most cases, with surgical excision reserved for larger or deeper . We also recommend lipid for any patient presenting with xanthelasma, as treatment of the cosmetic lesion is more durable when any underlying lipid abnormality is also addressed.


Milia


Milia are tiny, cysts that under the surface of the skin, most commonly around the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the . They are filled with keratin — the same protein found in cysts — but are much smaller and more superficial. Milia are common in newborns (where they usually resolve spontaneously) and in adults, where they tend to persist.


making a tiny incision in the skin and extracting the contents. is fast and the result is excellent. Multiple milia can be in a single session.


Other common lesions


Several other minor skin lesions are at our Baker Street clinic:


When to seek professional assessment


Most skin lumps and bumps are entirely benign and can be safely ignored if they don’t cause symptoms. Some, however, warrant prompt professional assessment:


The ABCDE rule — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter, — is a useful self-examination prompt for pigmented . For full detail, see


How are skin lumps and bumps removed?


Most minor skin are removed under local anaesthetic as a day-case at our Baker Street clinic. The patient remains awake throughout, the area is fully numbed before any incision is made, and most are able to drive themselves home afterwards. Several are used depending on the type and size of the lesion:


The right is matched to the lesion, the location, the patient’s skin type, and the clinical objective. We discuss the at rather than committing to a single in .


Why choose a plastic surgeon for skin lesion removal?


Many practitioners can technically remove a skin lump — GPs, and aesthetic nurses all perform minor procedures. What sets a plastic apart is the focus on the cosmetic outcome of the removal, not just the removal itself.


Plastic are specifically to:


For on areas — face, neck, hands, — this difference shows. For full discussion, see


What about the NHS?


The NHS will remove skin that are for cancer or that cause functional problems. Cosmetic removal — where the lesion benign but the wishes to have it for aesthetic or peace of mind — is generally not funded.


NHS waiting times for suspicious lesion have lengthened in recent years; for benign removal, NHS treatment is unavailable. Patients who want a lump or lesion and removed in a reasonable timeframe will typically need to do so privately. For full discussion, see


What we don’t recommend


Frequently asked questions


Most are not. Concerning features include rapid growth, change in colour or shape, irregular borders, colours, or itching without obvious cause, a hard texture, or any lesion for the first time after the age of 40. Any of these warrant .


Pricing depends on the type, number, size and location of . Most small benign lesions are removed for a few hundred pounds; more cases are priced at . through Chrysalis is available.


Any procedure that breaks the skin some form of mark. For most benign lesion removals, the final scar is a fine pale line that fades to barely over six to twelve months. Plastic surgical minimises scarring more than other approaches.


The local injection is the most part of the procedure — usually only briefly. The removal itself is painless. Mild soreness for one to two days afterwards is normal and well with .


Yes for most benign lesions, depending on consultation findings. We discuss this at the and the same day where appropriate.


Every excised at Centre for Surgery is sent for analysis as standard. This applies to all removed tissue regardless of whether the lesion looked benign .


Yes — paediatric cases are assessed individually and where appropriate. Some lesions from being left to resolve naturally; others are better dealt with surgically. We this at with the parent or .


Most patients are a consultation within one to two weeks. Where a lesion is concerning, we can usually arrange more urgent assessment.


Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated clinic at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone. All are performed by consultant plastic under local as procedures. Every excised is sent for histological analysis as . For most benign lesions, assessment and is available — no GP referral is required.


For more on specific lesions, see our cluster of guides on , , , , and our broader service.


Centre for Surgery · · GMC specialist-registered surgeons · · · ·


Filed Under:

Share this post
Primary Sidebar

I agree to receive marketing communications ()


I agree to receive communications ()


Centre for is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial including and , , for men, and body such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.


Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic surgery led by .




Marylebone

London

W1U 6RN





Mon – Sat, 9am – 6pm

Saturday available