Benign skin lesions

Benign skin lesions are growths on the skin that aren't cancerous. They're very common and aren't a serious risk to your health. Because they're not cancerous, they don't spread to other parts of the body. You may have more than one of them.

Most people will develop benign skin lesions at some point in their life. Most types appear in adulthood, but they can develop at any age.

There are many different types, and they vary in appearance, colour and size. They can appear anywhere on the body. Some are permanent, while others are only temporary.

Benign skin lesions come in many different types, though a few are more common than the rest.

Epidermoid cysts (also called sebaceous cysts) are smooth lumps on the skin, the same colour as your skin. They don't usually hurt, but some release pus from a small opening in the middle of the lump, called a punctum.

These cysts are more common in adults. Men are twice as likely to get them as women.

Angiomas are small red spots on the skin, and you'll often find more than one. They can appear anywhere on the body, but they're more common on the torso.

An angioma is raised and usually between 0.1 to 1 cm across. Sometimes thin red lines run out from the spot.

Angiomas become more common after the age of 40. It's estimated that 75% of people over the age of 75 have them.

Xanthelasma are yellow lumps that most often appear around the eyes. Anyone can get them. But sometimes they're caused by high cholesterol, diabetes or thyroid problems.

Comedones are a form of acne. They happen when pores get blocked with oil and dead skin cells. You'll see them as small bumps on the skin, each with a black or white point.

Comedones are not usually painful, but they may release pus.

A pyogenic granuloma is a small red lump on the skin. It's an overgrowth of blood vessels. It can appear anywhere on the body, but it's more common on the fingers and face, and it often shows up where there's been an injury or trauma.

These lumps can look alarming because they often bleed easily. In most cases, you can stop the bleeding with firm pressure that you don't let up, for 10 to 20 minutes.

A pyogenic granuloma can affect anyone, but it's more common in pregnancy.

If you think you have one and it keeps growing, see a doctor. In some cases, you may need treatment to remove it.

Speak to a healthcare professional before using any over-the-counter treatments.

Skin tags are small growths that are brown or the same colour as the rest of your skin. You'll often find them in skin folds, like the neck and armpits. They're very common, and they're usually small and harmless.

Skin tags are more common if you:

• are living with obesity or have skin folds that rub together
• have type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance is thought to cause more skin tags to grow)
• are pregnant (hormonal changes are thought to cause skin tag growth)

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a skin growth that can be yellow, brown or the same colour as your skin. It often has a waxy or rough surface. The growths can feel itchy, and they may become inflamed if you rub or scratch them.

They're very common in adults, usually from the age of 30. It's estimated that 90% of people aged 60 years and above have at least one seborrhoeic keratosis.

Moles (naevi) are small spots on the skin, brown or skin-coloured. Some are flat and some are raised, and they differ in size and shape.

Say a doctor has checked your mole and told you it's benign. You should still keep an eye on it for any change. If it changes in appearance, go back and get it checked by your doctor.

Solar lentigo are flat brown marks on the skin. They can be oval or irregular in shape.

Solar lentigo are very common, and they're related to excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

If you notice a sudden change or growth in your solar lentigo, speak to a doctor.

Dermatofibromas are firm lumps on the skin, and they can be brown or pink. You'll usually find them on the lower legs, though they can turn up anywhere on the body. In some cases a dermatofibroma can be painful and itchy.

They are more common in adults.

Benign skin lesions are usually harmless. If a doctor has already told you your lesion is benign, you don't need to ask for any further medical advice.

Keep an eye on a benign skin lesion, and if you notice any change in it, see a doctor for further advice.

See a doctor if your skin lesion:

• has changed in size or colour
• bleeds regularly (more than twice a week for 4 weeks)
• is persistently itchy
• is painful
• looks different to the rest of your skin lesions

Your doctor will look at your skin and ask about your symptoms to work out whether the skin lesion is benign. They may ask, for example:

• when the lesion appeared
• if it has changed in size, shape or colour
• if it causes any other symptoms

Your doctor may take a photo of the lesion and send it to a skin specialist (dermatologist) if:

• they're unable to confirm if the lesion is benign
• the lesion is causing issues in your day-to-day life, like bleeding or infection

In many cases, your doctor can say the lesion is benign and you won't need any further appointments or treatment. The skin specialist may also be able to give you this advice from the photo your doctor sends.

If the appearance of a benign skin lesion changes, it may no longer be benign. So speak to your doctor if you notice any change in your skin lesion.

Benign skin lesions are usually harmless, and most of the time they don't need any treatment.

• keep an eye on the lesion and see your doctor if you notice any changes
• be careful when shaving around skin lesions
• protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen
• protect the area if it catches on clothing, glasses or jewellery

• don't scratch or pick the lesion, because this can cause bleeding or infection
• don't ignore a lesion that keeps changing
• don't use medicines from the pharmacy without speaking to your doctor first
• don't use sunbeds

Treatment for benign skin lesions depends on the type of lesion and how severe it is. Treatment may include:

• surgery, where the benign skin lesion is cut out and removed from the body
• cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion to freeze and destroy affected skin cells

Surgery and cryotherapy may only be offered in rare cases, when the lesion is causing pain or making everyday tasks difficult.

If a benign skin lesion isn't causing you any problems but sits on a visible part of your body, like your face, you may choose to have it removed. You'll usually have to pay for this privately.

Make sure a qualified health professional has checked the lesion before it's removed. Any procedure you have done should be through a reputable private organisation.

Benign skin lesions can have many causes, including:

• ageing, because some types of skin lesion are more common later in life
• genetics, as some people are more likely to develop certain types of skin lesions
• exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, since long-term or excessive exposure, from the sun or sunbeds, can cause changes and damage to the skin
• hormonal changes, like those during pregnancy, which can cause certain types of skin lesions
• certain medicines (ask your pharmacist or doctor about this)
• some underlying health conditions