Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a bump under the skin is usually based on an anamnesis, in which the doctor asks the affected person about the time of the bump’s development and possible connections. A lump that is caused by bumping a body part or immediately after vaccination usually does not require any further diagnosis and heals after a few days. Even small bumps due to blocked sebaceous glands need only be looked at, otherwise they do not need to be further diagnosed.
If an abscess is present, a smear is usually sent to the laboratory to find the pathogen that caused the inflammation. If new tissue is formed, a sample is usually examined under a microscope. In this way, benign and malignant tumours can be distinguished.
Treatment/Therapy
The therapy of a bump under the skin is quite different. In most cases no special therapy is necessary. This is the case, for example, with bumps caused by bumping, immediately after inoculation or in the case of a blocked sebaceous gland.
These bumps disappear after some time by themselves. Infected sebaceous glands and abscesses may need local antibiotic treatment. An abscess must also often be opened so that the pus can drain off and normal healing of the tissue can take place.
Benign tumours of the skin do not usually need to be treated either, but they can be removed if they are aesthetically disturbing or if their size causes further complications. Malignant tumours usually require extensive therapy. As a rule, the tumour must be cut out so that there are no malignant cells left in the body.
In the case of particularly aggressive tumours, additional chemotherapy or radiation of the affected area of the body may even be necessary. This is the only way to ensure that no malignant cells remain in the body. Further treatment options for the lump under the skin are directed against the accompanying symptoms. If the lump hurts, for example, cooling and painkillers are usually recommended.
Duration
Most bumps under the skin disappear by themselves within a few days to a few weeks. The healing of an opened abscess can also take several weeks. Benign tumours, on the other hand, usually grow for weeks to months before they are removed.
Malignant tumours are also often present for a long time before they are removed. Without treatment, the tumours would remain and continue to grow.
