Rashes on the skin and under the skin in the form of compactions and nodules are very common. Such nodules (papules) do not have a cavity and can be caused by the accumulation of infiltrate in the upper layers of the dermis, tissue proliferation, accumulation of metabolic products and glandular formations in the pores and glands. The size of dense nodules on the skin can reach the size of a grain (miliary), a coin (nummular), or a bean (lenticular). The shapes are pointed, flat and hemispherical. The cause of flat nodules can be the growth of the upper layer of skin or inflammatory processes in the skin. Pointed papules appear at the site of the follicles. Hemispherical nodules appear in the upper layer of the skin, while the skin remains intact or becomes thinner.
Nodular, painful inflammation of the dermis and tissues underneath, which has a red tint, is called erythema nodosum. The size of such nodules can reach the size of a cherry pit, and even an apple. Red nodules on the skin can be caused by:
As you can see, the reasons are quite varied, and the real picture can only be established through thorough clinical research.
Dense white nodules on the skin are called millet eels, due to their external resemblance to millet grains. As a rule, such acne appears on the face in groups or singly due to excessive production of sebum, which accumulates at the mouth of the gland, stretching it. As a result, the millet eel appears.
White nodules on the skin do not cause any particular trouble to a person, other than spoiling one’s appearance. They can be easily dealt with at home. However, it is better to contact a cosmetologist who will remove acne so that not a trace remains of it and no infection gets under the skin. The face is pre-treated with an alcohol-containing lotion, the skin is steamed and the white nodule is pierced with a sterile needle. Then the contents are squeezed out, after which the wound is treated with xeroform.
If you have a lot of acne on your face, then the most popular way to cleanse the skin is to apply an exfoliating mask, which is made from salicylic ointment or bodyaga pulp. Before applying the mask, the skin is also treated with alcohol-containing solutions and steamed. Bodyagi pulp is applied for a period of 20 to 25 minutes. In this case, a burning and tingling sensation will be observed in the area where the grains accumulate.
If red-brown nodules appear on the skin of the legs, they are often diagnosed as dermatofibromas. Science has not yet been able to find out what causes their appearance. When touching such nodules, the patient may experience pain. However, for many, dermatofibromas only cause itching. These red-brown swellings go away on their own and can be removed with a surgeon's scalpel or liquid nitrogen. There are no consequences other than discomfort.
The situation is more serious if the nodules are a symptom of a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. According to statistics, 1-2% of the population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation of the joints can cause lumps to appear on the feet.
The most common reason why nodules appear under the skin on the abdomen is diseases of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. It is often not possible to establish the exact cause of this disease. When such lumps appear in infants, birth trauma is considered to be the main cause. However, this hypothesis has not yet been proven. In patients with diabetes mellitus, nodules may also be observed after an injection into the abdominal cavity. Therefore, it is recommended to change the injection site more often. Another common cause is considered to be pancreatic disease. Also, the main symptom of erythema nodosum and subcutaneous fat necrosis caused by pancreatitis are tissue compactions under the skin on the abdomen.
The reasons why nodules appear under the skin on the hands can be very different. If we are talking about dermatofibromas, then you just need to undergo treatment or wait until everything returns to normal on its own. If the appearance of lumps under the skin is accompanied by joint pain, we may be talking about rheumatoid arthritis and some other joint diseases. Also, poor nutrition and cholesterol deposition can manifest itself in the appearance of nodules on the hands. Dupuytren's disease, a thickening of fibrous tissue, causes lumps to appear.
Here you can view illustrations of the manifestations of skin diseases such as ringworm and rashes in adults and children. Learn to recognize birthmarks, skin cancer symptoms, and different types of insect bites.
Cysts are noncancerous swellings of the skin that may be filled with fluid, pus, or another substance.
A cyst is a common condition that can appear on the skin of any part of the body. To the touch it resembles small peas located under the skin. Cysts can occur as a result of infection, clogged sebaceous glands, or around foreign bodies such as earrings.
Typically skin cysts:
Unless the cyst becomes damaged, infected, or inflamed, it does not cause pain. Some cysts disappear on their own without treatment, while others need to be drained, i.e. pierce with a sharp object and remove its contents. Some inflamed cysts can be treated with a cortisone injection, as this medicine causes them to gradually shrink and eventually disappear. Cysts that cannot be treated or that recur are removed surgically.
Senile hemangioma is a smooth, red nodule that forms on the skin.
Most often, senile hemangiomas appear on the torso, but they can also occur on the skin of other parts of the body. The cause of the appearance of senile hemangiomas is unknown; most often such nodules appear on the skin of people who have reached the age of forty.
Senile hemangiomas are small, smooth, bright red swellings. Their size can vary from the size of a pinhead to one centimeter in diameter.
In most cases, senile hemangiomas do not require treatment. If you don't like the way they look or if these tumors bleed, they can be removed using a laser or electrocautery, i.e. cauterization or destruction of tissue using a small sensor through which an electric current is passed. Removal of a senile hemangioma may cause a scar to appear.
Dermatofibromas are painless, red-brown, round swellings that most often appear on the arms and legs. Dermatofibromas are scarred and feel like hard nodules.
The cause of dermatofibromas is unknown.
Symptoms of dermatofibromas are:
In most cases, no treatment is required for dermatofibromas, but they can also be removed through surgery or smoothed out using liquid nitrogen.
Epidermoid cysts, also called sebaceous cysts, are benign (non-cancerous) skin growths that form as a result of blocked sebaceous glands. They are most often located on the genitals, torso and back, but can also occur on the skin of other parts of the body.
There are quite a lot of skin diseases in which various nodules and swellings appear on its surface or directly under it. This article will describe the most common pathologies in which cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules form.
The nodules on the skin, photos of which can be seen below, are small (up to 5 millimeters), clearly defined tubercles. If the elements are larger, then they are called nodes.
Sometimes the nodules are painless, in other cases they cause pain on palpation.
The main types of skin nodes:
Whiteheads . These are painless white nodules on the face. They are formed as a result of blockage of the sebaceous glands.
Acne . With acne, painful, dense red nodules appear on the skin (photo can be seen below). They gradually mature, and a white purulent head appears in their center. The skin near the lesions is inflamed and swollen. After some time, the pimple opens, the purulent contents come out, and a crust forms in place of the acne. Often, after acne disappears, scars remain.
Senile angioma . These are harmless, soft subcutaneous nodules on the body that are purple-red in color. They usually appear in older people.
Warts . They are single, painless formations on the surface of the epidermis (sometimes an accumulation of warts is observed). Most often they form on the fingers.
Cutaneous horn . It is a papillary soft nodule under the skin on the neck or under the arms. Most often appears in older people. The cutaneous horn does not pose a health hazard, but if it grows strongly, it can cause inconvenience.
Uncommon causes of skin nodules:
Subcutaneous lumps sometimes do not cause much discomfort to the patient, but most often they are quite painful. Nodules under the skin can appear as a result of exposure to the following factors:
Main types of nodules:
Lipoma (another name is wen). It is a movable, elastic and soft seal. The size of a lipoma is usually 1-5 centimeters. Such nodules appear on the abdomen under the skin, or in any other places.
Hygroma . These are inactive dense tumor-like nodules under the skin on the arms. They have smooth edges and an oval shape. Appear most often after injuries. Hygroma does not pose a health hazard and does not hurt. It can only cause cosmetic discomfort.
Atheroma . Appears on those areas of the skin that have a lot of sebaceous glands. It is a round, dense formation with clearly defined boundaries. It can become inflamed and fester. At the request of the patient, the formation can be removed surgically.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes . It manifests itself as the formation of a painful lump under the skin. Usually the cause of inflammation is an infectious disease.
Nodules on the joints . May be a symptom of joint diseases. For example, the formation of subcutaneous nodules in the elbow joint can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Nodules on the joints of the fingers are observed with deforming osteoarthritis.
Abscess . In this case, the lump hurts, the patient’s temperature rises, and the general condition worsens. The skin over the lesion is swollen and hyperemic. This clinical picture occurs as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the tissues, which enter there through damaged skin and cause suppuration. If an abscess occurs, you must contact a surgeon, otherwise complications may develop.
A node is a dense formation that appears when infiltrate accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue. Nodules on the skin (photo can be seen below) can subsequently ulcerate and scar.
Red nodules on the skin can be a symptom of many diseases. The main reasons for their appearance may be:
Large, itchy, red, firm nodules on the skin are called erythema nodosum. When red nodules appear on the skin, many simply do not pay attention to them, but in vain. After all, they can be one of the symptoms of a number of diseases.
In order to find out the cause of the rash, you need to contact a specialist, who will conduct an examination, prescribe the necessary tests, make a diagnosis and develop an adequate treatment plan.
Nodules under the skin on the hands form in men with palmar fibromatosis (another name is Dupuytren's contracture). This is a disease in which scarring occurs in the tendons of the patient’s palms.
Due to the proliferation of connective tissue, the tendons are shortened, which causes a violation of the extensor function of the fingers. The course of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of nodes under the skin in the area of damaged tendons. With further progression, stiffness of the damaged fingers develops.
The disease has a clear clinical picture, which is difficult to confuse with the symptoms of other diseases. The patient develops nodes under the skin, which leads to a sharp impairment of the extensor function of the fingers.
With further development, the subcutaneous nodes continue to grow. The skin around them becomes dense and gradually fuses with the tissues underneath. This leads to the formation of retractions and bulges in the lesion. Strands and knots are especially clearly visible when the patient tries to straighten the finger.
The reasons for the development of this disease are still unknown. In the early stages, drug treatment is possible, but most often the contracture still continues to progress. Therefore, the most effective treatment method is surgery.
Subcutaneous nodules on the legs often occur with varicose veins. A varicose vein is a pathological change in a vein in which its walls are deformed and thickened. The cause of the appearance of subcutaneous nodes on the legs is varicose veins.
Nodules on the legs under the skin often appear in obese people with a history of cardiovascular diseases. The main danger of such nodes is that with severe overstrain of the legs, the thinned tissues of the vessels will disperse, and bleeding will occur, which can only be stopped by surgery.
A ball-shaped lump on the hand may appear in the wrist (on the hand), under the armpit and on the fingers. Various formations under the skin: bumps, balls, compactions, tumors - this is a common problem that almost every person faces. Lumps under the skin most often turn out to be lipomas. At the beginning of the disease, when there is no inflammation, the lump protrudes slightly above the skin and does not cause pain when touched.
Benign neoplasms of the skin and soft tissues usually proceed asymptomatically. Much less common are malignant neoplasms of the skin and underlying tissues, which can be palpated or noticed on your own. You need to be able to recognize these diseases in time and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Below we outline the most common skin lesions that may cause concern.
Lipoma can be felt under the skin as a soft formation with clear boundaries, sometimes with a bumpy surface. The skin over the lipoma is of normal color and density, easily folded. The skin over the atheroma cannot be folded; sometimes the surface of the skin takes on a bluish color and you can see a point on it - a blocked duct.
Various joint diseases: arthritis and arthrosis are often accompanied by the appearance of small, hard, immobile nodules under the skin. If a dense, tuberous formation is felt under the skin, and the skin above it cannot be folded, the node is likely damaged by a malignant tumor. Usually, with the onset of menstruation, these formations disappear and they are associated with normal changes in the mammary glands under the influence of hormones.
A whole group of skin lesions may be associated with infection. Surgeons treat purulent-inflammatory diseases of the skin and soft tissues. If redness, pain and swelling appear on the skin, accompanied by an increase in temperature, you should seek help as soon as possible. Compared to other skin lesions, malignant tumors are very rare. As a rule, at first a focus of compaction or a nodule appears in the thickness of the skin, which gradually grows.
It can be located under the skin, like a sarcoma, or at the site of a lymph node - lymphoma. If you suspect a malignant skin tumor, you should contact an oncologist as soon as possible. Hello, on my palm under the skin there is something similar to an ordinary pimple with a mature abscess, but it is under the skin and causes discomfort.. Most often you can find that a bump on the body has popped up in places that come under prolonged pressure or tension.
In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Lumps almost always appear in tissues located in the joint area. The reasons why a hygroma appears above the skin can be different.
But most often the causes of hygroma are associated with physical activity and injury. You should not be alarmed when a lump appears on your hand - it is not a tumor, but a jelly-like liquid accumulated in the membrane near the joints of the hand. More often, a hernia of the synovial membrane in a tendon - also called a lump on the hand - occurs on the right hand due to the greater load on this particular hand during work.
The reasons for the appearance of a lump on the fingers may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed. If the lump on the finger does not appear on the bend of the bone, but near the nail, then it may be Heberden’s nodes on the hands. Treatment is prescribed by a rheumatologist after a confirmed diagnosis.
A lump that grows under the armpit may be hidradenitis or lymphadenitis. A tumor under the armpit can appear for various reasons. It is taken into account whether there is redness around the lump under the arm, what the consistency of the tumor is, whether the tumor hurts or not. A lump appears under the arm when a staphylococcal purulent infection enters the sebaceous glands.
In most cases, these formations are harmless, but some of them require emergency treatment. Lumps or lumps that cause pain or discomfort are often the result of infection.
The skin over them usually turns red. Associated disorders occur: general malaise, headache, weakness, etc. With timely treatment, such formations usually go away quickly. Most often, lipomas appear on the scalp, neck, armpits, chest, back and thighs.
The skin in the affected area turns red, swelling and induration of varying sizes appear. Most often, a painful lump under the armpits occurs and hurts when bent due to purulent inflammation of the sweat glands. Popularly, the lump under the arm is called “a dog’s or bitch’s udder.”
Hard balls under the skin can form for a variety of reasons. The most common ones include skin cyst, cherry angioma, dermatofibroma, epidermoid cyst, folliculitis, lipoma, neurofibroma. As a rule, lumps are benign and can appear on any part of the body. However, the ball is much more common in the armpit, face, leg or arm under the skin than in other places.
A cyst is a closed “sac” filled with fluid or pus under the skin. It can develop as a result of infection, blockage of the sebaceous glands, and can also appear near foreign bodies, for example, on the ears when wearing earrings. The cyst usually does not cause pain and most often disappears on its own without treatment. If the ball under the skin becomes inflamed, it may need to be removed surgically.
Cherry angioma is the appearance of smooth, red bumps on the skin. Its causes are unknown; the growths usually occur in people over forty years of age. In most cases, the disease also does not require treatment. If the bumps prevent a person from feeling attractive or bleed, they can be removed using a laser or electrocoagulation. However, this can lead to scarring.
Dermatofibroma is a harmless, hard, red-brown ball under the skin made of fibrous connective tissue. It most often appears on the arms and legs and can change color over time and grow larger. Sometimes during the growth period pain and itching is felt, although there may not be painful sensations. There is no need for treatment, however, the growth can be removed surgically or smoothed by freezing in liquid nitrogen.
An epidermoid cyst, also called a sebaceous cyst, is a round subcutaneous “pouch” that grows from a hair follicle. Most often it occurs on the genitals, back and chest. The cyst should be removed. This can be done by making an incision in the skin. Antibiotics may be required to treat an infected growth.
Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles. It can be caused by infection, chemical or physical irritation. Manifests itself in the form of hair pustules. Antibiotics or antifungal drugs may be used for treatment. Most often, this disease occurs in people suffering from diabetes, obesity and weakened immunity.
Lipoma is a subcutaneous soft tissue tumor and appears as a ball under the skin, which can be alone or in a group with others. Typically, the growths are harmless. They have a soft, elastic consistency and grow slowly. The lipoma does not penetrate into the surrounding tissue, so it can be easily removed by excision.
A neurofibroma is a soft, fleshy ball under the skin. Sometimes it can occur deep inside the body. In rare cases, a harmless tumor can turn into a malignant one. If the growth does not cause any symptoms, no treatment is required. If it affects a nerve that is compressed between the tumor and a rigid structure, it may need to be removed surgically.
Some rashes and formations that appear on our body cause concern and may not look aesthetically pleasing in photos or in real life. A lump under the skin on your leg is one of these worrying symptoms. The ball has a dense consistency, is easy to palpate, and is mobile. Usually does not cause inconvenience or pain. However, a harmless “sore” can turn out to be a serious symptom of the disease.
The compaction can be of different localization, on which the causes of the disease depend:
Orthopedists call a lump on the foot in the area of the big toe “valgus foot.” It is a deformation of the position of the finger due to a violation of the articular connection. This deformation is especially pronounced in older people; in particularly advanced cases, the big toe takes on an almost horizontal position relative to the foot.
The main reason is wearing too tight, narrow shoes. This is aggravated by the presence of heels; frequent wearing of uncomfortable shoes leads to a forced concentration of body weight pressure on the toe. Under constant load, the metatarsal bones begin to diverge under the weight of the whole body, leading to changes in the foot. The appearance of the compaction is accompanied by horizontal flat feet.
There are many reasons for the appearance of such bumps, they differ in the accompanying symptoms, thanks to which a specific diagnosis can be determined. You should take into account pain - at rest and when pressed, whether there is an increase in size from the moment it appeared, a local increase in temperature, skin manifestations and disruption of normal functioning.
Many of these diseases require surgery. Consult a specialist if you notice these symptoms or notice a lump on the sole or instep of your foot.
The most common reason for a lump to appear on the arch of the foot or sole is neoplasms and cysts. Typically this “ball” is:
Lipoma is a benign formation of adipose tissue. It does not cause concern, the wen moves easily under the skin and is dense. This type of tumor rarely becomes malignant and grows slowly. Most often does not require treatment if it does not cause aesthetic discomfort. Hygroma is another type of benign tumor. Formed at the site of the joint capsule, characterized by the presence of fluid. The most common location is the back of the foot, at the base of the toes. It is painless, but with sudden growth there may be nagging pain from overstretching of the joint capsule. The seal usually appears as a result of frequent foot injury.
Atheroma - occurs when the sebaceous duct is completely blocked. Since there are no sebaceous glands on the sole, such a ball cannot form there. However, compaction is possible on the rise. The tumor is painful on palpation and may become inflamed, complicated by an abscess. Due to poorly developed subcutaneous fat, it does not reach large sizes. Occurs after bruises, poor hygiene, metabolic disorders.
Fibroma is a connective tissue tumor, mainly localized on the sole. The formation feels like a dense nodule, the skin color may change for days, and is prone to growth. Due to its specific location, it causes inconvenience when walking or standing for a long time.
Lumps on the sole and instep of the foot are most often removed surgically. The extent of the intervention depends on its origin. For malignant neoplasms, surrounding tissue may be excised. In inflammatory diseases, drainage is installed to drain purulent contents, always adding antibiotics to the treatment.
If the lymph nodes are inflamed, you need to find out the underlying disease. The lymph node ball should regress with properly selected therapy. You should not apply warming compresses or warm them up - there is a high risk of worsening the inflammatory process.
All benign neoplasms are often treated surgically in a minimally invasive manner. Depending on the morphology of the tumor, drug therapy is added to the treatment. Fibroma undergoes cryo or laser removal.
Lipoma is rarely treated, but if it is inconvenient, it is possible to excise the formation under local anesthesia. Laser removal is gaining popularity - the method is practically painless, does not require preparation, and does not leave scars. After this procedure, traces will not be visible even in a photo under high magnification.
Hygroma can be removed either surgically or undergo conservative therapy. Due to the rapid progression, it becomes difficult to wear and select shoes, so patients often decide to have them removed.
With the conservative method, the cavity is simply pierced, removing the accumulated fluid. Then a drug is injected into the cyst to harden the capsule. It is performed without local anesthesia and a splint is applied to immobilize the foot. However, with this method of treatment, recurrence of the disease is possible. During surgical treatment, the capsule is completely removed under anesthesia. Recurrence of the disease does not occur with this therapy.
Treatment of atheroma is similar to surgical removal of hygroma, due to the similarity in structure.
Healthy legs are the key to good health and full activity. A lump on the foot can cause a lot of trouble if not treated promptly. Pay more attention to the condition of the feet; in the early stages, the emerging “ball” can be easily treated, without the risk of developing complications.
Having discovered a ball-shaped seal on your body under the skin, you begin to worry and even panic. We can understand your worries, but is everything so scary and is it worth worrying?
The detected formations under the skin may not cause you any discomfort, and the fact that you noticed them is a simple coincidence. Or maybe vice versa, the seals cause pain and more and more every day. There may be several reasons for the appearance of formations in the form of balls.
For some diseases, “balls” under the skin may be the only symptom. There are a lot of examples of such diseases in oncology, so if you find a lump under the skin, even if it is small in size, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Lipoma , or wen, is a movable subcutaneous ball with a large range in size from 1 cm to 10 cm in diameter. A lipoma can occur in any part of the body. The wen is soft to the touch and does not cause any pain when pressed. It does not pose any health hazard and is more of a cosmetic problem.
Atheroma is a round-shaped seal formed in the sebaceous glands due to obstruction of the outflow of sebum. A characteristic symptom of atheroma is the release of fat when there is strong pressure on it. This subcutaneous formation is soft and painless. The growth of atheroma is a long process and its size depends on the lifespan of the seal.
Hygromas , unlike previous formations, have a clear location, namely under the skin on the elbows or wrists. The appearance of a ball is given to the seal by accumulated liquid. The size of some formations may be enormous, but not cause any pain.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes is already a dangerous and painful subcutaneous thickening, mainly in the axillary, inguinal and submandibular lymph centers. The most likely cause of inflammation is an infection entering the body. In such cases, fever, headaches and general weakness of the body are also observed.
An abscess that occurs as a result of skin disorders (scratches, cuts, etc.) and their further infection. This type of lump under the skin does not always look like a ball, but rather an oval shape filled with pus. Accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature. In cases of abscesses, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor to prevent serious complications and eliminate them.
Hernia , depending on the location of formation, is divided into inguinal, umbilical, etc. Having identified a hernia, don’t let its painlessness lull your vigilance. At any moment it can become pinched and become a very painful lump. You should immediately contact a surgeon who will cut out the hernia from under the skin during a simple operation.
Any compaction in the form of a ball and not only can turn out to be a malignant oncological formation. Therefore, do not self-medicate and waste time, but immediately consult a specialist for advice. It’s good if the formation under the skin turns out to be an unpleasant cosmetic problem that won’t be difficult to get rid of. If the lump turns out to be a developing tumor, then a timely visit to a doctor will save your life!