Our health. Lump in the groin and near the vagina. Lump on the labia (small, large) What could it be?

It happens that during self-examination or by chance, a woman may identify some kind of lump in the vaginal area. Such a situation will seriously alarm you and throw you out of emotional balance. Various guesses will begin to appear, most often with negative connotations. But what a formation in the vagina actually means can be found out only after consulting a doctor. Until then, it’s better not to worry in vain.

Causes

A mass formation in the area of ​​a woman’s external genitalia can have different origins. And you need to understand all the reasons so as not to miss the really important ones. A lump in the vagina, as ordinary people call it, is the result of inflammatory, hyperplastic or other processes. The source of pathological growth can be the glands of the vulva, the vaginal wall (mucous, muscular, serous membranes) or nearby tissues. The cause of this formation is most often benign diseases:

• Bartholinitis.
• Cyst.
• Fibroma.
• Lipoma.

There are cases when the cervix is ​​mistaken for a lump, which, due to weakness of the pelvic muscles, descends all the way to the vestibule of the vagina. But a similar situation is more often observed in old age in women who have undergone more than one childbirth and have been involved in heavy physical work in the past. But young girls are most afraid of oncology, although this is also unlikely, because malignant processes are more typical during menopause, when the activity of hormonal control decreases. Then the appearance of vaginal carcinoma is possible.

The origin of a lump in the vaginal area is most often associated with benign processes, but in certain cases, oncology cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms

The doctor, conducting a gynecological and physical examination of the patient, identifies symptoms confirming the nature of the formation. Pay attention to local and general signs. First, complaints are analyzed, and then it’s time for examination and palpation. In this case, any concomitant conditions that, one way or another, may be associated with the appearance of a lump are taken into account.

Bartholinitis

Inflammation of the glands at the base of the labia, i.e. bartholinitis, occurs quite often. The lump near the vagina is precisely connected with it. The causative agent of the disease is considered to be various microbes: strepto- and staphylococci, E. coli, candida, but also more specific representatives - gonococcus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas. The gland duct is blocked, and purulent exudate accumulates in its lumen. This leads to the formation of an abscess (false or true) and the appearance of the following symptoms:

1. Redness of the skin.
2. Painful swelling.
3. Enlarged gland.
4. Blocking the entrance to the vagina.
5. Pain when moving.
6. Temperature increase.

With a true abscess, the glandular tissue melts, which is accompanied by more severe symptoms. Regional lymph nodes enlarge, the labia swell, and the woman’s general condition suffers (malaise, headaches). When the abscess is opened, it is not completely emptied, which is a factor in recurrence and protracted course.

The chronic process can worsen during menstruation, with a decrease in the body's immune reactivity or with concomitant diseases. A sensitive lump forms in the area of ​​the gland; discomfort is noticeable when moving, but there will be no sharp pain. Subsequently, a cyst forms at this location.

Bartholinitis is a consequence of microbial inflammation of the gland of the vestibule of the vagina. It is accompanied by the appearance of a painful lump.

Vaginal cyst

The cause of a lump in the vagina is a cyst. This is not such a common disease, but you need to remember about it. A cyst is formed from the wall of an organ and is filled with epithelial tissue or liquid contents. The origin of the pathology is congenital or post-traumatic, and it is mostly asymptomatic, therefore it is detected more often during preventive examinations. The exception is cases with large cyst sizes, when subjective signs arise:

• Foreign body sensation.
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Urinary disorders (dysuria).
• Difficulty in defecation.

During a gynecological examination, the cyst does not cause pain, its surface is smooth and does not differ from the rest of the mucous membrane. Large formations create an obstacle to the birth of a child. If an inflammatory process occurs, pathological discharge and soreness in the vagina appear. Then the cyst can ulcerate and even open on its own.

Benign tumors

True vaginal tumors of benign origin include fibromas, lipomas and fibromyomas. They are formed from layers of the vaginal wall and do not show signs of atypical growth. In most cases, such tumors develop asymptomatically and are localized along the anterior surface of the vagina. Sometimes there are periodic pains of a pulling or aching nature, discomfort during sexual intercourse, disturbances in urination and defecation. But this happens only when the pathological formation is large (about the size of a chicken egg).

Carcinoma

The greatest danger among all lumps is carcinoma or vaginal cancer. Most often, oncology develops secondarily, that is, when it spreads from other sources (cervix, uterus, metastases). Some patients with cancer are asymptomatic, but most often there will be the following signs:

• Scanty bleeding at any time, including between menstrual periods.
• Pathological discharge: cloudy, whitish, liquid.
• Pain - first during sexual intercourse, and then constant.

If the tumor grows into neighboring areas, dysuria and defecation disorders are possible. And in advanced cases, the woman’s general condition also suffers (cancer intoxication).

Cancer is the most serious and dangerous cause of a large process in the vagina. Oncological alertness should be present in all women, especially those who have crossed the threshold of menopause.

Additional diagnostics

To establish the nature of the lump in the vaginal area, additional methods are required. The diagnostic process may include various techniques that help the doctor determine the cause of the formation. These include:

1. General blood and urine tests.
2. Blood biochemistry (antibodies to infections, tumor markers).
3. Analysis of vaginal discharge (microscopy, bacterial culture, PCR).
4. Smear for oncocytology.
5. Colposcopy.
6. Biopsy with histology.

Having received all the results, the specialist makes a final conclusion and can definitely say whether the woman should have worried. And taking into account the nature of the pathological process and the clinical situation, therapeutic measures will be taken and recommendations will be given that the patient must adhere to.

Lumps, nodules, tubercles and other lumps on a woman’s outer labia are almost always a pathological phenomenon that requires emergency medical attention. Even if the neoplasms seem benign to you, without causing acute discomfort and pain.

Most common reasons

• Such phenomena can be detected in childhood and be congenital. In this case, it is advisable for parents to check their blood for syphilis, since most often modifications of the genital organs in infants indicate its presence.
• In addition, bumps may be a sign abnormal development labia, congenital defects of the urethra and other features that do not have an infectious or viral etiology. However, this is more of a special case than a healthy phenomenon.
• We should not forget that neoplasms in the genital area can become a sign tumor processes in organism.
• In addition, nodular fragments may indicate the development of HPV (human papillomavirus). This disease in a certain percentage of cases leads to cervical cancer.

Such deviations are not a reason to be embarrassed and ignore medical help.

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The doctor's consultation

If the tubercles appear suddenly and can be easily felt under the skin or mucous membrane, immediately contact a specialist for advice and all necessary tests. Perhaps it is the early intervention of a specialist that will help you avoid terrible irreversible consequences.

Bartholinitis

Very often, bumps on the labia appear due to inflammation of the Bartholin glands. They are localized at the entrance to the vagina and are located in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the labia majora. The Bartholin gland synthesizes a mucous secretion that forms in the vagina on the eve of sexual intercourse. Blockage of the excretory ducts of these glands leads to an inflammatory process in the organ, resulting in neoplasms in the form of small bumps. This disease often occurs in women who do not pay due attention to personal hygiene.

How do symptoms develop?

1. The specificity of the disease is such that symptoms do not appear immediately;
2. 1-2 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory process, a seal forms on the inside of the labia majora;
3. The ball begins to hurt and cause discomfort, especially when wearing tight underwear;
4. The large lips swell, there is a burning sensation and pain in the perineum;
5. Suppuration and effusion of exudate are possible, but more often this does not happen.

Bartholinitis does not require specific treatment, however, in its complete absence, women experience frequent relapses of the inflammatory process. At the same time, a new disease begins - Bartholin's gland. In this case, surgical treatment is used, since alternative therapeutic methods become powerless. If, with bartholinitis, the lump begins to suppurate, there is a sharp deterioration in general well-being, pain during sexual intercourse, and an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees. It should be emphasized that bartholinitis during pregnancy can provoke spontaneous abortion.

Lumps in the groin area and labia can be a sign of a tumor process in the body. Fortunately, genital tumors are often benign.

• Fibroma- a neoplasm of benign etiology, which is localized in the connective tissue, less often - in the fascia of the parametric tissue. As a rule, it is located on the labia majora. Treatment of the tumor is exclusively surgical. Our doctors effectively treat this disease, guaranteeing a further favorable prognosis.

• Fibroids– a tumor that does not entail tissue destruction and metastasis (also benign). It is formed from muscle fibers and appears as a lump on the labia majora. Surgical excision is mandatory.

• Lipoma– a more severe tumor that does not have a malignant etiology. It is formed from adipose tissue and is located near the vulva. It is a nodule or several overgrown small neoplasms. Located on a dense, stable leg. The size of the nodule is usually small, but tends to grow. Such a tumor is always accessible during a traditional examination without additional diagnostic procedures. You may also be able to detect a lipoma by feeling your genitals or washing your face. If the disease is not treated, various complications are possible: hemorrhage, infection, swelling and even tissue necrosis. Our surgeons excise the lipoma and prescribe further supportive therapy.

• Hidradenoma– a rare type of tumor neoplasm in the genital area. It develops due to the active activity of the sweat glands and some other abnormalities. In the case of this disease, hardening in the form of nodules forms on the labia, sometimes they are localized over the entire area of ​​the organ or are single. Hidradenoma must be treated in a timely manner, otherwise it may develop into a malignant tumor.

• Oncology.(Cancer or sarcoma of the vagina, cancer of the vulva). It appears in the form of nodes and dense tubercles in the genital area. If benign tumors practically do not cause additional symptoms, oncology is always accompanied by copious discharge of pus or mucus with a pungent odor, bleeding, and diffuse infiltrates. Unfortunately, in this case, no one can give an unambiguous favorable prognosis, even with timely treatment.

Therapy in our clinic

If you notice lumps on your genitals, we recommend that you do not hesitate to contact our qualified specialists. You will be examined by our gynecologists, after which, if necessary, they will be referred to a surgeon. We will carry out the appropriate treatment, choosing the best option for you. We always strive to choose gentle techniques, but if this is not possible, our surgeon will eliminate your tumor quickly, painlessly, with a guarantee of no complications.

Many years of practice and extensive experience of our specialists allow us to vouch for the health of each patient. We recommend that you consult a doctor in a timely manner to avoid serious complications and relapses of the disease.

Our specialists

Content

In addition to itching, discharge and other external manifestations, gynecological diseases are often accompanied by the appearance of various lumps on the cervix, which the woman palpates on her own. Such formations, which resemble lumps when palpated, can have both physiological and pathological origin. They can be of different sizes, consistency, painful or not, some of them are harmless, others pose a serious threat to women's health.

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of cones is a violation of the integrity of the tissue of the cervix during childbirth, after abortion and other gynecological operations, against the background of injuries and blows. In such cases, some of the normal cells on the surface of the organ are replaced by scar tissue.

Lumps can appear due to genitourinary infections, early or promiscuous sex life, any gynecological surgical interventions, or hormonal imbalance.

Lumps on the cervix - what could it be:

• cysts - formed when the patency of the cervical glands deteriorates;
• papillomas - tubercles and growths that appear on the cervical mucosa when HPV is activated, are benign in nature;
• tumors of benign origin are not dangerous in themselves, but can degenerate into malignant tumors; it is impossible to independently determine the nature of the lump;
• complicated ectopia or erosion of the cervix - appears against the background of inflammatory processes or hormonal disorders, sometimes the disease is accompanied by slight discharge of blood or ichor after sexual intercourse;
• polyp - can bleed, which requires immediate removal, sometimes degenerates into malignant neoplasms;
• fibroids - a myomatous node is formed due to the proliferation of the muscle layer, flat lumps or small neoplasms appear on the stalk, in rare cases, tissue deformation spreads to the vagina.

Previously, fibroids were considered a neoplasm that tends to degenerate, but now the possibility of malignancy of the node into a cancerous tumor has been refuted. But it is necessary to remove it, since it prevents conception, interferes with normal childbearing, and also causes bleeding.

Dangerous species

Lumps on the cervix may indicate the development of cancerous or precancerous conditions.

Cervical cancer is one of the main reasons for visiting a gynecologist, but since at the initial stage of development the disease occurs without obvious signs, women turn to the doctor with advanced forms of the pathology.

Signs of a malignant tumor:

• a lump on the surface of the cervix;
• bleeding in the middle of the cycle;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Cervical cancer can occur even in girls, since certain types of papillomavirus are transmitted through contact and household contact; children can become infected from their mother and during passage through the birth canal.

Diagnostic methods

Often, tubercles on the cervix do not manifest themselves in any way; they can be detected through regular self-diagnosis and examination by a doctor. But if a woman feels a lump on her own, then a visit to the antenatal clinic cannot be postponed, especially if its appearance is accompanied by pain, copious, foul-smelling discharge mixed with blood and pus. Acne on the chin and lower cheeks may indicate the presence of serious gynecological problems. Skin manifestations such as acne are considered a sign of increased production of male sex hormones. Acne is not always just an external cosmetic defect.

You should not self-medicate, since the appearance of lumps on the cervix can be due to very different reasons; only a specialist can identify them only after examination and thorough diagnosis.

Basic diagnostic methods:

• inspection using mirrors to identify growths and bumps;
• examination of a smear from the surface of the cervix to identify malignant cells;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs - performed to identify the degree of thickening of the endometrium, the presence of lumps on the cervix;
• hysteroscopy – allows you to identify the presence and number of polyps, their size, and take tissue analysis for biopsy;
• biopsy of cervical tissue;
• colposcopy in an extended version is necessary to determine dysplasia, ectopia, leukoplakia and erythroplakia.

Any type of lump on the cervix may reappear after removal, depending on its type. Thus, polyps, Nabothian cysts, and fibroids often recur.

Very often those tubercles and bumps that a woman palpates on her own turn out to be scars after destructive surgical treatment of pathologies and after childbirth.

How to prevent the occurrence

Lumps on the uterine cervix can appear in women at any age; diagnosis and proper therapy will help to quickly identify and cope with the disease. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, a lump on the cervix can cause infertility, miscarriage, malfunction of the glands, hormonal disorders, and death. Simple preventive measures help reduce the risk of developing pathology.

Prevention rules:

1. Compliance with all doctor's recommendations during pregnancy.
2. Delivery should take place only in a maternity hospital or specialized clinics. All tears should be stitched, even if they do not bleed.
3. Refuse artificial termination of pregnancy, perform abortions only for medical reasons.
4. Carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene - change tampons and pads in a timely manner, carry out water procedures twice a day using warm water and neutral detergents.
5. Vaccination against dangerous strains of human papillomavirus.
6. Visit your gynecologist every 6–12 months.

It is necessary to avoid hypothermia, strengthen the immune system, monitor the menstrual cycle, and avoid casual sexual intercourse. If you experience any suspicious discharge, pain during sex or urination, you should immediately visit a gynecologist.

Lumps and balls on the cervix are a common occurrence; their appearance may be due to normal scarring after childbirth, Nabothian cysts, or more serious pathologies. Therefore, if even a small painless lump appears, you should visit a doctor.

Various formations under the skin: bumps, balls, compactions, tumors - this is a common problem that almost every person faces. In most cases, these formations are harmless, but some of them require emergency treatment.

Lumps and lumps under the skin can develop on any part of the body: face, arms and legs, back, abdomen, etc. Sometimes these formations are hidden in the folds of the skin, on the scalp, or grow so slowly that they remain unnoticed for a long time and are discovered reaching large sizes. Benign neoplasms of the skin and soft tissues usually proceed asymptomatically.

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Lumps or lumps that cause pain or discomfort are often the result of infection. They may be accompanied by an increase in general or local temperature. The skin over them usually turns red. Associated disorders occur: general malaise, headache, weakness, etc. With timely treatment, such formations usually go away quickly.

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 (wen)

Lumps under the skin most often turn out to be lipomas. These are benign, completely safe tumors from fat cells. 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.

Atheroma

Atheroma is often confused with lipoma, also called a wen. In fact, it is a cyst, that is, a stretched sebaceous gland in which the excretory duct is blocked. The contents of the atheroma - sebum - gradually accumulate, stretching the capsule of the gland.

To the touch it is a dense, round formation with clear boundaries. 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 clogged duct. Atheroma can become inflamed and fester. If necessary, it can be removed by a surgeon.

Nodules on the joints

Various joint diseases: arthritis and arthrosis are often accompanied by the appearance of small, hard, immobile nodules under the skin. Such formations in the elbow joint are called rheumatoid nodules and are characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Nodules on the extensor surface of the joints of the fingers - Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes accompany deforming osteoarthritis.

Gouty nodes - tophi, which are accumulations of uric acid salts and grow on the joints of people who have suffered from gout for many years, can reach a significant size.

Hernia

It feels like a soft protrusion under the skin, which can appear during exercise and disappear completely when lying down or at rest. A hernia forms in the navel, postoperative scar on the abdomen, in the groin, on the inner surface of the thigh. The hernia may be painful when palpated. Sometimes you can push it back in with your fingers.

A hernia is formed by the internal organs of the abdomen, which are squeezed out through weak spots in the abdominal wall during an increase in intra-abdominal pressure: when coughing, lifting heavy objects, etc. Find out whether a hernia can be cured using traditional methods, and why it is dangerous.

Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)

Most often accompanied by colds. Lymph nodes are small round formations that can be felt under the skin in the form of soft elastic balls the size of a pea to a plum, not fused to the surface of the skin.

Lymph nodes are located in groups in the neck, under the lower jaw, above and below the collarbones, in the armpits, in the elbows and knees, in the groin and other parts of the body. These are components of the immune system that, like a filter, pass interstitial fluid through themselves, clearing it of infection, foreign inclusions and damaged cells, including tumor cells.

An increase in the size of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), which become painful when palpated, usually accompanies infectious diseases: sore throat, otitis media, flux, panaritium, as well as wounds and burns. Treatment of the underlying disease leads to a reduction in the node.

If the skin over the lymph node turns red, and palpation becomes sharply painful, the development of lymphadenitis is likely - a purulent lesion of the node itself. In this case, you need to contact a surgeon. Minor surgery may be required, and early treatment can sometimes clear up the infection with antibiotics.

Their causes are different: most often it is a viral infection, mechanical injury, hormonal disorders. Sometimes warts and papillomas grow “out of the blue,” for no apparent reason, and can be located on any part of the body, including the mucous membranes of the genital organs. For the most part, these are harmless growths that cause only cosmetic discomfort or interfere with wearing clothes or underwear. However, the variety of their shapes, colors and sizes does not allow one to independently distinguish a benign wart, condyloma or soft fibroma from malignant skin diseases. Therefore, if a suspicious growth appears on the skin, it is advisable to show it to a dermatologist or oncologist.

Lump in the breast (in the mammary gland)

Almost every woman experiences breast lumps at various times in her life. In the second phase of the cycle, especially on the eve of menstruation, small lumps may be felt in the breasts. 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.

If hardening or peas in the breast are palpable and after menstruation, it is advisable to contact a gynecologist who will examine the mammary glands and, if necessary, prescribe additional examination. In most cases, breast formations turn out to be benign; some of them are recommended to be removed, while others can be treated conservatively.

Reasons to urgently consult a doctor are:

• rapid increase in the size of the node;
• pain in the mammary glands, regardless of the phase of the cycle;
• the formation does not have clear boundaries or the contours are uneven;
• over the node there is retracted or deformed skin, an ulcer;
• there is discharge from the nipple;
• Enlarged lymph nodes can be felt in the armpits.

Skin inflammation and ulcers

A whole group of skin lesions may be associated with infection. The most common cause of inflammation and suppuration is the bacterium staphylococcus. The skin in the affected area turns red, swelling and induration of varying sizes appear. The surface of the skin becomes hot and painful to the touch, and overall body temperature may also increase.

Sometimes inflammation quickly spreads across the skin, covering large areas. Such a diffuse lesion is characteristic of erysipelas (erysipelas). A more serious condition - phlegmon - is a purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Focal inflammatory diseases are common: carbuncle and furuncle, which are formed when hair follicles and sebaceous glands are damaged.

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. In the initial stages, the problem can be solved with the help of antibiotics; in more advanced cases, surgery must be resorted to.

Malignant tumors

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. Usually the tumor does not hurt or itch. The surface of the skin may be normal, flaky, crusty, or dark in color.

Signs of malignancy are:

• uneven and unclear boundaries of the tumor;
• enlargement of nearby lymph nodes;
• rapid growth in education;
• adhesion to the surface of the skin, inactivity when palpating;
• bleeding and ulceration on the surface of the lesion.

A tumor can develop at the site of a mole, like melanoma. 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.

Which doctor should I contact with a lump or lump on the skin?

If you are concerned about formations on your body, find a good doctor using the NaPravku service:

• - if the lump looks like a wart or papilloma;
• - if surgical treatment of an abscess or benign tumor is required;
• - to exclude a tumor.

If you think another specialist is needed, please use our help section “Who treats it” . There, based on your symptoms, you can more accurately decide on the choice of a doctor. You can also start with a primary diagnosis

Localization and translation prepared by site. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content

Copyright notice: “Department of Health original content 2019”

All site materials have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow us to take into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature.

Sometimes you may see a lump or hard lump under the skin. Most are harmless, but some can be painful and irritating. These bumps can appear on any part of the body.

Most lumps are harmless and are not a cause for concern. However, in rare cases, additional diagnostics may be required. This happens with cancerous tumors. Benign balls under the skin have the following signs:

• the compaction grows slowly and not painfully;
• soft consistency;
• located in the superficial or fatty layer of the skin:
• mobile, it can be felt.

On an arm or leg

Most lumps and bumps under the skin are harmless and go away without treatment. But to make a correct diagnosis and eliminate the main causes of their occurrence, you need to consult a doctor as early as possible.

A dense ball on an arm or leg is most often a lipoma (fat), fibroma or cyst.

Lipoma– a relatively soft lump consisting of fatty tissue that grows slowly.

Fibrolipoma or fibrous lipoma is formed from adipose and connective tissue at the same time. The lower the percentage of fat in it, the harder it is.

Fibroma– a hard, small subcutaneous lump consisting of connective fibrous tissue.

These are all safe formations that gradually grow slowly.

Cyst is a sac under the skin filled with fluid (usually pus). Its main difference from lipoma and fibroma is that they are located deep under the skin, and the cyst is closer to the surface. All these seals usually do not require mandatory treatment, but sometimes require surgery to remove them.

A lipoma, fibroma or cyst can appear on other parts of the body. In addition to the arms and legs, they often form on the back or chest.

On the face

Reasons for the appearance of lumps on the face that are not related to injury are most likely to be:

• Mumps (mumps) is a viral infection that mainly affects children. Lumps will be associated with inflammation of the lymph nodes of the lower part of the face;
• Allergic reaction – causes swelling in the deep layers of the skin;
• A tooth abscess can lead to swelling in the jaw area.

In the groin, thighs and buttocks

The appearance of hard lumps in the vagina, on the inner thighs and on the buttocks can be caused by the following factors:

• inguinal lymph nodes are inflamed, which is a sign of infection;
• cyst - a harmless formation filled with fluid;
• an abscess is a painful collection of pus;
• genital warts - are sexually transmitted infections and are fleshy growths;
• hanging moles or warts.

On the knuckle of a finger or wrist

A subcutaneous hard ball or lump on the wrist or finger joint is most often a hygroma, a type of cyst that forms around the joints and tendons.

Hygroma (synovyl cyst) is a fairly soft, smooth ball filled with a dense jelly-like liquid. The causes of its occurrence are unknown, but most often it is associated with aging or damage to joints and tendons.

If the hygroma does not cause pain or anxiety, you can leave it or treat it yourself, but to remove it, you need to visit a dermatologist. Although often after removal, the problem may return over time.

Small hard ball under the skin

A hard ball under the skin may turn out to be a fibrous lipoma - a mobile seal consisting of fat and connective tissue that grows. An ordinary lipoma (fat) consists only of adipose tissue, therefore it is softer. And fibrous is more dense due to connective tissue. Sizes vary from a pea to several centimeters in diameter. Lipomas are safe.

If the ball turns out to be not a lipoma, then most likely it will be a cyst - a sac under the skin filled with pus. They are very similar, but the important difference is that the cyst will be closer to the surface and usually goes away without treatment.

Large flat lump under the skin

A large lump that appears under the skin causes concern for most people; many consider it a sign of cancer. To minimize complications, you need to undergo a series of tests that will help determine the cause of the appearance of such seals.

If the tumor turns out to be malignant, then a course of radiation and chemical therapy or surgery to remove cancerous tissue is required.

A hard, painful area under the skin

Injury or infection may cause a firm, painful area to suddenly appear. Moreover, during infection, the skin around the seal will be red and hot to the touch, and the injury is accompanied by swelling and hemorrhage. If treated incorrectly, the wound can become infected and then redness and fever will occur.

Hard balls under the skin due to ingrown hairs

Under certain conditions, not all of the hair is shaved off; part of it remains under the skin and cannot break through, so it bends and grows inside the hair follicle. This is how ingrown hairs appear, they cause inflammation, pain and form small hard balls in the shaving area. Most often this is the back of the head and area. Sometimes an ingrown hair can become enlarged (cyst) after infection.

Anyone who shaves, uses tweezers or waxes for hair removal can experience similar problems. Such “bumps” often go away on their own, but they can also sometimes be helped when the hair is very close to the surface.

The appearance of a dense ball on the skin after an insect bite

Bug or spider bites can also cause swelling and hard bumps on the skin. Most insects are harmless, but there are a few poisonous individuals whose stings penetrate deep into human skin and their venom is dangerous.

Signs of a poisonous spider bite:

• severe pain that begins about an hour after the bite;
• abdominal cramps (from a black widow bite);
• heavy sweating;
• swelling and fever in severe cases.

Pimples have turned into hard balls

Pimples are places where the skin becomes inflamed. They appear when dead skin cells, sebum and bacteria clog the pores, forming hard balls. Acne (acne) is a common problem among teenagers, but can appear at any other age. Bacteria multiply quickly under the skin and this leads to the appearance of new acne.

There are different types of acne: pimples, papules, pustules, cysts or nodules, so there is no one way to treat acne. In severe cases of the disease, tablets and local treatment are prescribed.

If the acne is large, then laser and phototherapy, drainage and steroid injections are performed to reduce swelling.

Lump under the skin after vaccination

Vaccination is a reliable way to protect against infections without causing serious side effects. But some children experience various symptoms after vaccinations, such as:

• fever within 2-3 days after vaccination;
• redness at the injection site;
• a dense area at the injection site (in this case, a cold compress will help);
• a rash in the form of red dots may cover the child from head to toe, but it is harmless and will go away within a week;
• in rare cases, the entire vaccination area may become red, swollen, and hot (pain reliever and hydrocortisone ointment will help).