Small purple lump under the skin: what to know

A recent knock can leave blood beneath the skin and create purple discolouration that gradually changes shade. A Boil is a tender, inflamed follicle that may become warm or develop drainage. Other lumps are cysts, vascular lesions, or benign growths. A persistent changing skin lesion should be examined because some skin cancers, including Basal Cell Carcinoma, can appear as a sore, bump, or patch that bleeds or fails to heal. Colour alone cannot identify the cause.

Do not squeeze, pierce, or repeatedly press the lump. Photograph it beside a familiar object, record when it appeared, and note changes in size, colour, pain, warmth, drainage, or bleeding. Protect a bruised area from further knocks. Book a clinician visit if it persists, grows, becomes firm or fixed, or has no clear explanation. Treatment depends on the diagnosis; an Intralesional Steroid Injection may be considered for selected inflammatory lesions, not for every lump.

Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, red streaks, heavy bleeding, facial swelling, or feeling faint. Arrange prompt skin review for a lump that changes quickly, repeatedly crusts or bleeds, ulcerates, or does not heal. Sudden multiple purple spots with illness also need immediate assessment.

Ask whether the lump needs examination, imaging, or sampling; whether an injury, infection, cyst, or growth is more consistent with its features; and what changes should trigger earlier review. Share medicines, bleeding problems, and any recent trauma.