Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under your skin. They're harmless and do not usually need any treatment.
Check if you have a lipoma
Lipomas are common.
They:
- feel soft and squishy
- can be anything from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across
- may move slightly under your skin if you press them
- are not usually painful
- grow slowly
Credit:
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Credit:
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you get a lump anywhere on your body
- your lump is painful, red or hot
- your lump is hard and does not move
A GP will usually be able to tell if the lump is a lipoma.
If there's any doubt, they may refer you for a scan to check it out.
In rare cases, lumps under your skin can be a sign of something more serious.
Getting a lipoma removed
Lipomas are harmless. They're not usually treated on the NHS.
You can pay a private clinic to remove a lipoma, but it may be expensive.
A GP can give you advice about where to get treatment.
Page last reviewed: 17 August 2017
Next review due: 17 August 2020