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

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
• 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
• Surgical Excision to remove cyst, but sometimes they recur
• Inflamed cysts may respond to an injection of cortisone

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
• Eliminating the cause

Keratoacanthoma

Characteristics

• Red, dome-shaped, thick bumps with craters in the center
• Abnormal growth of hair cells
• Ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure is the most common risk factor

Treatment

• Cryotherapy (freezing off the bump with liquid nitrogen
• Surgical Excision
• Mohss Surgery

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

Treatment

• Usually does not require treatment, particularly if it does not cause any symptoms
• If it affects a nerve, it may be removed surgically