If you’re wondering what does a lipoma feel like? Here’s what you need to know.
Lipomas are not hard, and most aren’t painful. They don’t cause any health concerns, and because of that, most people rarely seek medical attention.
Anybody can have lipomas, but the lumps are more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Lipomas are so common that 1 in every 1000 people will develop a lipoma at some point in their life.
Where Do Lipomas Usually Occur?
A lipoma is a fatty lump that grows under the skin. They tend to look either round or oval-shaped. Usually, a lipoma will sit between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. Technically a lipoma is classified as a tumour, but it’s generally harmless. It’s very rare for a lipoma to turn cancerous, but it can happen. So, it’s important to speak to your doctor about any changes to your lipoma or if any new lumps develop.
Typically, lipomas occur in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms. Although they can occur anywhere in the body where you have fat cells, these areas are more common.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between a Lipoma and a Ganglion?
Occasionally, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a lipoma and a ganglion cyst just by feeling it alone. Lipomas are seen in the hand less often but can occur. Whereas ganglion cysts are seen frequently in the wrist. The main difference is that a lipoma is made of fatty tissue, whereas a ganglion is a build-up of fluid.
What Does a Lipoma Feel Like and Does it Hurt?
So, what does a lipoma feel like?
A lipoma should feel doughy but not tender. So, it should move with some pressure from the finger. Lipomas should feel soft. They don’t tend to cause pain, but they can do if the bump is near a nerve or has blood vessels running through it. Lipomas usually grow slowly and can take a long time to develop. Most lipomas stay relatively small.
Can a Lipoma Return After Removal?
In cases where a lipoma is pressing on a nerve, it could cause pain. In addition, a lipoma in an obvious place could impact your self-esteem. While lipomas are not typically painful, you might consider lipoma removal surgery in these cases.
Because removal of a lipoma may be cosmetic, it’s not usually something treated on the NHS. A surgeon can remove a lipoma surgically by making a small incision in the skin and then squeezing out the lipoma. In general, most lipomas are removed by surgically cutting them out. Although not a standard treatment for lipoma, liposuction may be used to remove the lipoma. This method leads to minimal scarring and may be a suitable alternative to surgical removal.
One of the things most people worry about after lipoma removal is whether the lipomas may recur. Recurrences after surgical lipoma removal are uncommon.
Lipoma Removal at The Harley Clinic
If you’re considering lipoma removal surgery, book a consultation today at The Harley Clinic to determine if you’re a suitable candidate and create an individualised treatment plan. We offer a range of procedures including hand therapy and surgery.
