Most cysts, lipomas, and skin growths are harmless, but some need a closer look. Have a lump or spot evaluated when it is new, growing, changing, painful, inflamed, bleeding, hard and fixed in place, or simply worrying you. A primary care provider can examine it and recommend watching it, removing it, a biopsy, or a specialist.
A cyst, lipoma, or skin lesion should be evaluated when it is new, growing, changing in shape or color, painful, inflamed, bleeding, or hard and fixed in place. Most lumps and spots turn out to be harmless, but an exam is the only way to know, and many can be treated in a primary care office.
Common lumps and spots
- Epidermoid cysts are small, round sacs under the skin, often with a tiny dark pore on top. They can swell and become sore if inflamed.
- Lipomas are soft, rubbery, slow growing lumps of fat that move slightly when pressed.
- Skin tags are small, soft flaps of skin that can catch on clothing or jewelry.
- Seborrheic keratoses are waxy, stuck on looking growths that are common with age.
- Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly spots from sun exposure that can be precancerous.
Signs a lump needs a medical visit
Have a lump under the skin checked when it:
- Is growing, especially if it grows quickly
- Feels hard, firm, or fixed in place rather than soft and movable
- Is painful, red, warm, or draining
- Keeps coming back after it seems to go away
- Is larger than about two inches
- Appears with fever, night sweats, or weight loss you cannot explain
Signs a skin spot needs a medical visit
A helpful memory aid for moles and spots is ABCDE:
- Asymmetry, where one half does not match the other
- Border that is uneven or blurred
- Color that varies within the spot
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving, meaning any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms
Also have a spot checked if it bleeds, itches, crusts, or is a sore that does not heal.
What happens at the visit
Your provider examines the lump or spot, asks how long it has been there and whether it has changed, and reviews your health history. From there, options may include watching it, a skin biopsy, in office cyst and lipoma removal, treatment of a skin growth through our minor skin procedures, imaging, or a referral to a dermatologist or surgeon.
Why you should not squeeze a cyst
Squeezing or popping a cyst can push material deeper, lead to infection, and make the cyst harder to remove fully later. An inflamed cyst is best drained by a provider and removed once it settles.
Getting a lump or spot checked in Hudson and Trinity
Our Hudson and Trinity offices evaluate lumps and skin spots for adults 18 and older. New patients age 18 and older are welcome. Appointment availability is determined by the office.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cyst turn into cancer?
Common epidermoid cysts are almost always harmless. A lump that is growing, hard, or fixed in place should still be examined, since other growths can look similar.
Do lipomas need to be removed?
Not always. Many lipomas can simply be watched. Removal is an option when a lipoma is growing, uncomfortable, or the diagnosis is uncertain.
Should I see a dermatologist or my primary care provider for a skin spot?
Your primary care provider can examine most spots and lumps, perform many biopsies and removals, and refer you to a dermatologist when specialty care is the better fit.
This content is provided for general educational information and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical needs and treatment options vary from person to person. If you have questions about your health or whether a service may be appropriate for you, contact Internal Medicine MD to speak with a member of the care team or schedule an appointment with a qualified medical provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
