Skin cysts
Cysts are round lumps, often filled with fluid or pus. They’re usually harmless but can become enlarged, painful, unsightly or infected. and so may require treatment. But please see a expert if you have a new or changing unexplained lump.
Check if it’s a skin cyst:
- are round lumps just underneath the skin
- often contain fluid or pus
- sometimes have a small, dark spot in the middle
- grow slowly and vary in size from smaller than a pea to several centimetres across
- can get sore or red if they get infected – the redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin
Skin cyst removal
If you have a large, painful skin cyst which is making everyday tasks difficult, surgical removal maybe considered under local anaesthetic.
Skin tags
Skin tags are soft, skin-coloured growths on the skin. They are very common and are usually small and harmless.
Check if it’s a skin tag:
Skin tags are usually the same colour as the rest of your skin, or a little darker. They can look like they’re hanging off the skin. They do not usually hurt and are normally harmless.
Skin tags often grow where your skin rubs together or where there are folds in your skin.
This means they usually appear:
- on your neck
- under your arms
- on your eyelids
- under your breasts
Treatment for skin tags
Skin tags maybe removed especially if painful from rubbing, traumatised by clothing or unsightly. Depending upon size and number they maybe removed by:
- using heat
- by freezing them
- by surgical snip excision
Moles
Moles are small, coloured spots on the skin. Most people have them and they’re usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour.
