Lipomas are a common cause of movable lumps under the skin anyplace on the body.
They do not always need to be treated.
This article goes over the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of lipomas.
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It also covers other possible causes of skin lumps and when to talk to your provider.
Symptoms of Lipoma Skin Lumps
Lipomas are rarely life-threatening and may not cause symptoms.
Symptoms include
Causes of Lipoma
It’s not clear why lipomas happen.
Some people might have genetics that make them more likely to get lipomas than others.
Certain health conditions like high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes might also be linked to lipomas.
Dercum’s Disease
A rare condition called Dercum’s disease can cause large, very painful lipomas.
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Other Causes of Skin Lumps
If you have skin lumps, they may not be lipomas.
These tumors usually grow quickly.
The lumps are painful and less moveable than a lipoma).
Chronic conditions likehidradenitis suppurativacan also cause painful lumps under the skin that may need to be treated.
For example, blood tests can be used to check for genetic conditions and infections.
When Should Lipomas Be Treated?
Lipomas that do not cause pain do not need to be treated.
If OTC medicines do not help, your provider might recommend tryinghydrocortisone shotsto reduce inflammation and shrink the lipomas.
Its not usually necessary to have surgery to remove a lipoma.
Liposuction is one surgical way to remove lipomas, but it can lead to more pain.
For that reason, it’s not usually recommended to treat lipomas in people living with fibromyalgia.
Imaging tests can help too.
Usually, lipomas dont need to be treated unless theyre bothering you.
To treat painful lipomas, it’s possible for you to start by taking OTC pain medications.
Rarely, lipomas can be taken out with surgery but that can cause more pain.
Do not assume that lumps and bumps arejust lipomas.
Have your healthcare provider take a look at the lumps and decide if you need treatment.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Lipoma.
2018;222:48-54. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2017.09.040
National Organization of Rare Disorders.Dercum’s disease.
American Academy of Dermatology Assocation.Hidradenitis suppurativa.
A case report.Medicine (Baltimore).2015;94(24):e950.
