Lumps and Bumps (Benign Skin Lesions)
Lumps (also known as benign skin lesions) can appear anywhere on your body. Most lumps are harmless but it’s important to see your GP if you’re worried or the lump is still there after 2 weeks.
Most lumps are normal
Most people get lumps and growths on their skin at some point. They can be caused by many things.
They can:
- be soft or hard to touch
- move around
- be the size of a pea, a golf ball, a lump under the skin or a growth that hangs off your skin
Local commissioning policies are in place for this condition
Please be aware that there are local commissioning policies in place for this condition. This means that certain treatments may not be available to you on the NHS.
Please click here for more information, there is also a useful policy supporting patient information sheet that can be found here.
Selfcare and more information
Managing my condition
You should consider seeing your GP if:
- your lump gets bigger
- your lump is painful, red or hot
- your lump is hard and doesn’t move
- a lump grows back after it’s been removed
- you have a lump in the breast or testicles
- you have a swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin that doesn’t go down
What will happen at your appointment
Your GP will examine your lump. In most cases, they will be able to tell you what’s causing it and discuss any next steps. If the lump you have is harmless, such as a ganglion or a sebaceous cyst, most of the time these will not need to be removed and will not need to see a specialist for further investigations. You can find out more information about the local policy for this here alongside the policy supporting patient information sheet. If you want to have a lump removed for cosmetic reasons, you will have to pay for this privately, as this is not funded on the NHS
If your GP is unsure of the cause of your lump, they may refer you to hospital for tests.
Useful information about Lumps and Bumps
You can use these links below to get an idea of what you can do about most lumps and bumps. Do not use this section to self-diagnose and make an appointment to see your Doctor if you have any concerns.
Lumps anywhere on the body
- Skin tag – Small, fleshy growth on the skin
- Lipoma – Soft, squashy lump that moves
- Skin cyst – Hard lump that moves
- Skin abscess – Hard, painful lump with a high temperature
Lumps on the armpit, neck or groin
- Swollen gland – Swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin
- Hernia – Lump in the tummy, abdomen or groin
- Goitre – Lump on the front of the neck
- Genital warts – Fleshy growths around the groin
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma – Swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin that doesn’t go down
Lumps around the bottom
- Haemorrhoids (Piles) – Lump or lumps around the anus, often with itching or pain
Lumps on the breast or testicle
- Breast lumps – Lump or swelling on the breasts
- Testicle lumps – Lump or swelling on the testicles
Lumps on the hands
- Ganglion cyst – Smooth lump on the hand, wrist or finger
- Wart – Rough growth on the hand or finger
Waiting for a specialist opinion
If you have been referred for a specialist opinion your details will be reviewed, and it may be recommended that you are seen by a hospital clinician. Information to support you in choosing your preferred hospital, including waiting times can be found below.
How long will I wait?
If a hospital assessment and/or treatment is clinically recommended you will be referred for to a specialist. Click below to find out more about waiting times for routine hospital assessment and/or treatment.