Top 5 Benign Skin Growths You Should Know About
Benign skin growths are common and usually harmless lumps or spots that appear on the skin. While they are not cancerous, recognizing these growths is essential to ensure your skin health and peace of mind. This article explores the top five benign skin growths you should be familiar with, complete with descriptions to help you identify them.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a very common benign skin growth that appears as a waxy, wart-like lesion. They can vary in color from light tan to black and typically have a stuck-on appearance. These growths often develop in middle-aged or older adults and can appear anywhere on the body except the palms and soles.
Dermatofibroma
Dermatofibromas are small, firm nodules usually found on the arms or legs. They have a brownish color and may dimple inward when pinched, known as the ‘dimple sign.’ These benign lesions result from an overgrowth of fibrous tissue following minor skin injuries such as insect bites or cuts.
Lipoma
Lipomas are soft, rubbery lumps composed of fat cells located just under the skin. Generally painless and slow-growing, lipomas can occur anywhere but are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs. They are usually round or oval-shaped and movable under the skin.
Cherry Angioma
Cherry angiomas are small bright red or purple bumps made up of clusters of tiny blood vessels. They tend to increase in number with age but pose no health risk. These vascular lesions often appear on the trunk but can develop anywhere on the body.
Epidermoid Cyst
Epidermoid cysts are closed sacs beneath the skin filled with keratin material that resembles cheese-like content. They present as round bumps ranging in size from pea-sized to larger lumps and commonly form on the face, neck, or trunk areas.
Understanding these common benign skin growths empowers you to monitor your skin’s health effectively and differentiate harmless lesions from those requiring medical attention. If you notice any sudden changes in size, shape, color or experience discomfort associated with any growths on your skin, consulting a healthcare professional for evaluation is always recommended.
This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.
