Hard painless lump under the skin

A lump that moves slightly under the skin can differ from one fixed to deeper tissue. A central opening, occasional discharge, or a smooth rounded surface can suggest a cyst. A rough, scabbing, bleeding, or persistently changing surface needs particular attention because skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma can sometimes be subtle. A boil may begin as a firm nodule and become tender, red, or warm. Location, duration, growth, color, and any change in the overlying skin help a clinician decide whether observation, imaging, or sampling is appropriate.

Measure or photograph the area only to track change, and record when you first noticed it. Avoid squeezing, cutting, or repeatedly checking it, which can irritate the tissue. Book a routine skin assessment if it persists, grows, returns, or remains unexplained. Bring a list of medicines and mention previous injuries, injections, or similar lumps. Treatment varies: some lesions are monitored, while others may be removed or treated after their identity is clear.

Seek an earlier appointment if the lump grows, becomes fixed, changes color, crusts, bleeds, ulcerates, or develops pain, redness, warmth, or drainage. Arrange urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, fever, severe swelling, or feeling acutely unwell. A painless lump should not be dismissed solely because it does not hurt; change and surface features are more useful warning signs.

Ask whether the lump looks like a cyst or another type of lesion, whether it needs a biopsy or imaging, and what change should prompt reassessment. Ask whether an injection or removal would be suitable only after diagnosis.