What should you know about unwanted skin growth?

A skin lump may be a blocked or inflamed structure, a cyst, a wart, a benign growth, or a boil. Some are tender and red; others are firm, skin-coloured, or slowly enlarging. Basal cell carcinoma can appear as a pearly bump, a sore that does not heal, or a spot that bleeds and returns. Appearance alone cannot identify the cause, and a lump is not automatically cancer.

Do not squeeze, cut, tie off, or burn an unexplained growth at home. Take a clear photograph and note when it appeared, whether it is changing, and any pain, discharge, or bleeding. A clinician may examine it, treat inflammation, or recommend removal and laboratory analysis. An intralesional steroid injection may be considered for selected inflammatory lesions, but it is not suitable for every lump and should follow a diagnosis.

Book an assessment for a growth that changes quickly, repeatedly crusts or bleeds, becomes painful, or remains open without healing. Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, or heavy bleeding, which can indicate infection or another problem needing prompt treatment.

Ask what features suggest a boil, cyst, benign growth, or basal cell carcinoma, whether testing is needed, and which treatment is safest for its location.