Knowing when to worry about a lump under the skin starts with one simple rule: a new lump with no clear cause should always be checked. Many lumps have common, non-serious causes. However, nobody can tell what a lump is by looking at it or feeling it alone. A GP should assess any lump that is new, growing or changing. This guide explains what lumps can look and feel like, which signs need prompt attention and what happens when you get one checked.
Knowing When to Worry About a Lump Under the Skin
Most people find a lump by chance, in the shower or whilst dressing. It is natural to feel anxious. The sensible next step is to get it looked at, rather than waiting to see what happens.
See a GP promptly if a lump:
- is new and has no obvious cause, such as a knock or an insect bite
- is growing, or changes in shape, colour or texture
- feels hard, fixed in place or irregular
- is painful, or has become painful
- comes back after it has been removed
- appears alongside symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, night sweats or persistent tiredness
Please do not rely on a list like this to rule anything out. If a lump worries you, get it checked, even if it does not match any of the signs above.
What Does a Lump Under the Skin Look Like?
Lumps vary a great deal. Some sit just beneath the surface and form a visible bump. Others lie deeper and show nothing on the skin at all.
A lump may look:
- skin-coloured, or slightly red or darker than the skin around it
- round, oval or irregular in shape
- like a single bump, or like several small bumps in one area
- unchanged on the surface, with normal skin over the top
Colour, size and shape alone cannot tell you the cause. That is why a healthcare professional needs to examine it.
What Does a Lump Feel Like?
People often describe lumps in everyday terms. Some feel soft and doughy. Others feel firm, or like a small pea or marble under the skin. A rubbery lump can move slightly when you press it. A hard lump may feel fixed in place.
Texture is useful information for the clinician examining you. However, it cannot confirm what a lump is. A soft lump can still need investigation. Similarly, a firm lump is not automatically serious. For this reason, describe what you notice and let a professional assess it.
Why Do I Feel Lumps Under My Skin?
Many people ask why their skin feels lumpy, or why they can feel lots of little lumps. There is no single answer. Several different things can make skin feel uneven or bumpy.
Common causes include:
- Swollen lymph nodes. These are small glands that form part of your immune system. They often swell during an infection, and you may feel them in the neck, armpit or groin.
- Lipomas. A lipoma is a soft lump made of fatty tissue that grows slowly under the skin. The NHS page on lipoma explains more.
- Cysts. A cyst is a small sac that can fill with fluid or other material.
- Scar tissue. Old injuries or surgery can leave a firm, ridged area beneath the skin.
- Insect bites and skin infections. These can cause tender, raised areas that settle or change over time.
- Ganglion cysts. These are fluid-filled swellings that often appear near joints or tendons.
Several small lumps in different places can have different causes. Lots of little lumps may also appear after a viral illness. Even so, widespread or persistent lumpiness is worth mentioning to your GP.
What Kind of Lumps Should You Worry About?
Some features make a prompt medical check more important. These include:
- a lump that grows over weeks
- a lump that feels hard and does not move
- a lump with no clear cause
- a lump that keeps returning
- a lump with other new symptoms, such as fevers or weight loss
Location also matters. Lumps in the breast, testicle or neck need particular care, and the NHS advises getting any new lump in these areas checked.
Warning Signs and Who to Contact
The right service depends on how urgent things feel.
- Your GP: for a new lump, a changing lump or any lump that concerns you. Book an appointment promptly.
- NHS 111: if you are unsure how urgent your symptoms are, or if you feel unwell and cannot reach your GP. You can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service.
- 999: in an emergency. For example, call 999 if swelling comes with difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face or throat, or if you feel seriously unwell.
Never wait for a lump to become painful before seeking advice. Many serious conditions cause no pain in the early stages.
When to Get a Lump Checked
Many people wonder when a lump is worth bothering the GP about. The honest answer is: sooner rather than later. A GP would much rather see you about a lump that turns out to be minor than miss one that needs attention.
Book a check if you notice a lump that is new, changing or persistent. Equally, book one if it simply makes you uneasy. Take a note of when you first noticed it, whether it has changed and any other symptoms. This helps the clinician build a clear picture.
What Happens When You Get a Lump Checked?
A check usually starts with a conversation. The clinician asks when the lump appeared, whether it has changed and how you feel generally. They then examine the lump. They look at its size, shape and texture, and whether it moves or causes tenderness.
Depending on what they find, they may:
- arrange blood tests
- request an ultrasound scan, which uses sound waves to create images of the tissue beneath the skin
- arrange other imaging, such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan
- refer you to a specialist, sometimes through an urgent pathway
- advise monitoring and a review, if appropriate
Your GP decides the route that suits your symptoms. If a lump needs urgent assessment, they can use the NHS referral pathways for this.
Where RAD Clinics Fits In
RAD Clinics is a private musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnostic and pain management clinic, registered with the CQC. Our team holds HCPC and Society of Radiographers accreditation. MSK ultrasound is a scan that uses sound waves to look at soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and the layers beneath the skin. A scan can give useful information about what lies under the surface. You can read more about MSK ultrasound scans on our website.
It is important to be clear about what a scan can and cannot do. Ultrasound supports assessment. It does not replace your GP or any urgent referral pathway. If you have signs that need urgent attention, contact your GP or NHS 111 first. Whether we can assess a particular type of lump depends on its location and features.
We see adults and children at our clinics in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and St Neots. You can also self-refer, so you do not need a GP letter to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Lump Checked
If a lump is worrying you, you do not have to wait and wonder. Speak to your GP, or call us to talk through your options. We accept self-referrals and our friendly team will explain what to expect.
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