A lipoma is a particular type of tumor that forms when a lump of fat grows in the soft tissue beneath the skin. They feel soft and almost rubbery and are normally painless. If you press on a lipoma with your finger, it will move easily underneath your skin. Most often, they appear on the upper body, arms, or thighs. The reasons that lipomas form are not entirely certain, though they do tend to appear after injuries, and it seems that heredity may have a role too.
Do I Need To Get Treatment For Lipomas?
The majority of the time, lipomas are harmless, though they can become annoying or unsightly or, in some cases, may bump into a nearby nerve or have blood vessels growing through them, causing pain. In rare cases, a bump that seems to be a lipoma turns out to be a kind of cancer called liposarcoma, which is fast-growing. Odds heavily favor your squishy bump being harmless, but it’s important to get it checked out by a dermatologist, just in case.
If the lipoma is a nuisance or a source of discomfort for you, your dermatologist may remove it. If it’s not bothering you or impairing your normal life, they may suggest leaving it alone. If you find a bump you suspect may be a lipoma under your skin, schedule an office visit and skin exam as soon as possible, so you can rest assured that you’re not ignoring something potentially serious.
Is This A Lipoma And Does It Need Treatment?
If you’re looking at some kind of doughy bump under your skin and wondering if it might be a lipoma, do yourself a favor and stop wondering. Give Derrow Dermatology a call and make an appointment for the skin exam you’re probably due for anyway. We’ll evaluate the bump you found and let you know whether it actually needs treatment.