Medical Dermatology

Lumps and Bumps Removal in Singapore

Dr. Liew Hui Min

accredited consultant dermatologist

Many skin lumps are benign and painless, but others may signal underlying conditions. They may be caused by blocked glands, cyst formation, or localised tissue growth. Early evaluation can help with accurate identification and management.

Definition Types Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention FAQ

What are Lumps and Bumps?

Lumps and bumps refer to various growths that can appear on or beneath the skin. These growths are typically benign (non-cancerous) and may develop anywhere on the body. While most are harmless, some may require evaluation by a dermatologist to determine the cause and need for treatment.

Types of Lumps and Bumps

Skin lumps and bumps encompass several distinct conditions:

Cherry angioma

These are small, bright red lumps made up of blood vessels. They are harmless and tend to appear more often with age, usually on the trunk or limbs. If scratched or bumped, they may bleed.
Dermatofibromas

These are small, firm lumps that form due to an overgrowth of scar-like tissue. They are usually reddish-brown in colour and often appear on the arms or legs. While they are usually painless, pressing on them can sometimes cause discomfort.
Epidermal (epidermoid) cysts

These are firm, flesh-coloured lumps often found on the face, scalp, armpits, genitalia or upper body. They usually have a small opening (called a punctum) on the surface, and sometimes release a smelly, whitish substance. If a cyst bursts, it can become red, swollen, and painful.
Lipoma

These are soft, movable lumps made up of fatty tissue under the skin. They grow slowly, usually don’t cause pain, and can range in size from small to large. Once they stop growing, they tend to stay the same size.
Moles (naevi)

Moles are typically brown spots or raised bumps that may be present from birth or develop over time. Most moles are harmless, but changes in their size, shape, or colour should be checked by a doctor.
Pyogenic granuloma

These are small, red or purple lumps that can bleed easily. While some go away on their own, others may need to be removed if bleeding continues.
Sebaceous hyperplasia

These are small, yellowish or flesh-coloured bumps caused by enlarged oil glands. They most commonly appear on the face.
Seborrhoeic keratoses

These are scaly, brown skin growths that can look greasy and often appear to be “stuck onto” the skin. They are most common on the face, neck, chest, or arms.
Skin tags/Fibroepithelial polyps

These are small, soft growths that are skin-coloured or slightly darker. They often appear in areas where skin rubs together, like the neck, armpits, or groin.
Warts

Warts are firm, rough bumps caused by a viral infection (HPV). They can appear on any part of the body and may spread through skin contact.

Causes and Risk Factors

Blocked glands

Blocked oil glands may lead to the formation of epidermal cysts.

Infections

Some viral and bacterial infections can result in lumps, such as warts.

Genetic factors

Some types of skin growths have a hereditary component, making them more common in certain families.

Sun exposure

Prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of developing certain skin growths, particularly seborrhoeic keratoses.

Ageing

The likelihood of developing various skin lumps increases with age as skin changes occur naturally over time.

Trauma

Injury to the skin may trigger the formation of certain types of lumps or growths, such as pyogenic granulomas.

Body weight

Overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing skin tags.

Hormonal changes

Pregnant women are more susceptible to skin tags and pyogenic granulomas.

Medical conditions

Sebaceous hyperplasia, a type of lump caused by enlarged oil glands, may occur more frequently in adults who have a history of acne or cysts.

Diagnostic Methods

Visual examination: Careful inspection of the lump’s appearance, texture, and location would be performed to help identify the type of growth.

Dermoscopy: A handheld magnifying device with light is used to examine the surface of the skin in greater detail, especially for pigmented lesions.

Skin biopsy: A small tissue sample may be removed and examined under a microscope to determine the exact nature of the growth. This is particularly important when a growth mimics skin cancer.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatment

Cryotherapy: This technique uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. It is commonly used for small lesions such as warts, skin tags, and seborrhoeic keratoses.

Electrocautery/Electrosurgery: A fine electrical current is applied to remove or destroy small to medium sized skin growths. This technique is suitable for managing conditions such as skin tags, seborrhoeic keratoses, cherry angiomas, and sebaceous hyperplasia.

Laser therapy (including CO2 laser): Specific wavelengths of light remove small skin growths such as skin tags, cherry angiomas, seborrhoeic keratoses, and some warts. CO2 laser is a common option for precise, minimally invasive treatment.

Intralesional injections: In certain cases, a corticosteroid injection may be administered directly into the lesion. For example, to reduce inflammation in an irritated epidermal cyst.

Simple snip: This quick and minimally invasive technique uses surgical scissors to remove skin tags at the base.

Curettage and cautery: This approach combines gentle scraping of the lesion followed by heat application to seal the area. It is occasionally used for superficial growths like seborrhoeic keratoses.

Surgical Treatment

Excision: A growth is surgically removed along with a narrow margin of surrounding skin, usually under local anaesthesia. This method is commonly used for lipomas, cysts, and other persistent lesions that require full removal.

Punch biopsy removal: A circular blade is used to remove a small, cylindrical section of the lesion for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This is typically performed in cases where tissue sampling is required.

Shave excision: The elevated portion of a skin growth is removed at surface level using a fine blade. This is often used for skin tags, pyogenic granuloma and superficial lesions.

Surgical drainage: For infected or inflamed epidermal cysts, a minor procedure may be done to drain the contents and reduce swelling and discomfort.

Prevention and Management

While not all skin lumps can be prevented, several measures may reduce their occurrence or complications. Using sun protection may help reduce the risk of certain lesions like seborrhoeic keratoses. Regular skin self-examinations help identify new or changing growths early. Maintaining good skin hygiene and avoiding trauma to the skin may prevent some types of lumps from developing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I seek medical advice about a skin lump?

Medical assessment is recommended if a lump is growing rapidly, changes in appearance, bleeds easily, is painful, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Are skin lumps and bumps cancerous?

While most lumps are non-cancerous, some may resemble skin cancers. A dermatologist can advise if a biopsy is needed.

Will removing a skin lump leave a scar?

Some scarring may occur after surgical removal, depending on the procedure and healing response.

Can lumps and bumps come back after removal?

Some types of skin growths may recur after removal, particularly if the root cause remains or if the removal was incomplete. Seborrhoeic keratoses have a high risk of recurrence. Follow-up appointments help monitor for recurrence.

Dr Liew Hui Min

Dually Accredited Dermatologist In Singapore and the UK

Dr. Liew Hui Min is an accredited consultant dermatologist from the Ministry of Health and the General Medical Council UK.

Her clinical interest includes:

Paediatric Dermatology,
Women’s Dermatology,
General Adult Dermatology.

Having trained in major London Hospitals, Dr Liew returned to Singapore in 2014 as a Consultant at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) where she specialised in paediatric, women, obstetric and vulva dermatology. Currently, Dr Liew practices at The Skin Drs. clinic located at Gleneagles Hospital.

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