Lumps, Bumps & Moles
Lumps and bumps may be a normal part of aging, but they can also damage the smooth skin that we remember from our childhood. Moles, warts, and benign skin growths fall under the “lumps and bumps” category and all can be upsetting to look at and cause social and psychological unease for anyone who develops unwanted growths of any kind. What’s more, with the prevalence of skin cancer, these growths are a cause for potential concern and should be evaluated. That’s why it’s important to seek a consultation with one of medical dermatologists at Houston Skin to evaluate any growths you may have.
While most mysterious lumps are benign, they can also often be quickly removed using the latest cosmetic techniques, restoring the smoothness of your skin along with your confidence and self-esteem.
Read below for some of the most common lumps or bumps, and the best techniques we utilize at Houston Skin to restore your smooth, healthy skin.
Common Lumps and Bumps
Below are a list of some of the most common lumps and bumps treated at Houston Skin. If you are suffering from any of these issues, please contact our skin care specialists today!
MOLES
Moles are the most common type of skin bump. Moles are formed by a cluster of the skin’s pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Moles often appear as brown, black, pink or flesh-colored, and they can also be raised or flat.
There are people born with moles, but most people develop them with age. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing moles, including:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Sun exposure
- Certain medications
Most moles are harmless but with any new or changing mole, it’s important to have it evaluated by one of our dermatologists at Houston Skin to check for signs of melanoma. Moles can be easily removed if they meet the following criteria:
- Potentially skin cancer
- Aesthetically unappealing
- Uncomfortable (for example, rubs against clothing)
Efficient Mole Removal
Moles can be easily removed using the following techniques:
Surgical excision: The mole is excised from the skin and our practitioner stitches the skin closed.
Shave: With the shave mole removal technique, a surgical blade is used to remove the mole.
WARTS
Warts are another type of growth that can occur anywhere on the body and are caused by an exposure to viruses that belong in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. When there is a break in the skin, the human papillomavirus can enter the body and cause an infection of the cells underneath the skin, resulting in a wart.
The most common type of wart is usually non-cancerous but, as with any new growth, it’s important to have them assessed by one of our professionals at Houston Skin. Skin to make sure they are benign. In some cases, warts may disappear on their own but it can take several months or even years for them to fade.
Because warts are caused by a virus, there is a chance of additional growths spreading on your body or even spreading to other people. Luckily, there are a number of appropriate treatments our practitioners can utilize to help remove warts.
Trusted Wart Treatments
Warts can be removed using the following treatments:
Cryotherapy: With this technique, the wart is frozen off using liquid nitrogen.
Electrosurgery: Using this technique, our practitioners eliminate the wart with an electric current.
Salicylic Acid Preparations: With a salicylic acid preparation that comes in the form of gels, pads, drops or plasters, the protein and the layer of skin that makes up the wart is destroyed in about 6-12 weeks. Sometimes, a compounded salicylic acid preparation is prescribed for more recalcitrant warts.
Immune modulating modalities: Candida Antigen is an allergenic extract that is injected into one to two warts to induce an immune response in someone that has multiple warts. On average, three visits spaced one month apart are needed. DNCB is another agent used in topical immunotherapy. A contact dermatitis is induced by DNCB and then applied to the wart in a systematic approach until resolved.
DERMATOFIBROMAS
Dermatofibromas are often mistaken for moles because they present as firm brown bumps that can feel hard under the skin. Usually, these skin bumps are caused as a result of a bug bite or skin injury that stimulates fibroblast production under the skin, which causes the creation of a sore-like lesion.
Dermatofibromas are harmless skin bumps and non-cancerous. However, as with any skin growth, they can become bothersome by catching on clothing or getting in the way during shaving. Sometimes, dermatofibromas can also become itchy and painful but they can be successfully removed with cryotherapy, cryosurgery, lasers, and excision. However, dermatofibromas can recur, thus removal is not always warranted if the lesion is not causing discomfort.