What should you know about lumps under the skin all over the body?

Some people notice multiple similar growths, while others have separate bumps that appeared at different times. Record whether they are soft, firm, mobile, painful, itchy, warm, or attached to the overlying skin. Boils tend to be inflamed and tender, whereas a cyst may be smooth and deeper. A persistent changing surface lesion should be examined because Basal Cell Carcinoma can present as a skin growth or sore. The distribution, family history, new medicines, recent illness, and changes in weight or energy may all help a clinician decide what to investigate.

Make a simple body map showing where the lumps are and photograph representative examples. Note when the first and newest ones appeared, whether they are increasing, and whether anyone related has similar findings. Avoid squeezing, puncturing, or applying strong treatments before assessment. A clinician may examine the full skin surface, feel the lumps and nearby nodes, and decide whether blood tests, imaging, sampling, or treatment is appropriate. Steroid injection into the skin is reserved for selected inflammatory lesions and should not be used as a self-treatment for unexplained widespread lumps.

Arrange medical review for multiple new lumps, rapid change, persistent pain, unexplained tiredness, fever, night sweats, or unintentional weight loss. Seek urgent help for severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, pus with fever, breathing or swallowing difficulty, or swelling of the face. A lump that becomes hard, fixed, ulcerated, or repeatedly bleeds should be assessed without delay. Bring a list of medicines and note any recent infections or injections.

Ask whether the lumps appear related, which one should be examined first, whether testing is needed, what changes to report, and whether close relatives should mention similar lumps at their own appointments.