Skin lumps are any abnormal lump or swelling on the skin.
Considerations:
Most lumps and swellings are benign (not cancer). In general, when a lump or swelling appears suddenly (over 24 - 48 hours) and is painful, it is usually caused by an injury or an infection. On the other hand, if the lump comes on gradually (over several days or weeks) and does not hurt, it may be a tumor.
Cyst, a closed sac in or under the skin that is lined with skin tissue and contains fluid or semisolid material
Boils, painful, red bumps usually involving a hair follicle
Corn or callus, caused by skin thickening in response to continued pressure (for example, from shoes) and usually occurring on a toe or foot
Warts, a skin virus that develops a rough, hard bump, usually appearing on a hand or foot and often with tiny black dots in the bump
Moles, skin-colored, tan, or brown bumps on the skin
Abscess, infected fluid trapped in a closed space from which it cannot escape
Cancer of the skin (colored or pigmented spot that bleeds easily, changes size or shape, or crusts and doesn't heal)
Review Date: 7/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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