A lipoma is a fatty tumor located just below the skin. It is not cancerous and is usually harmless. It can be a bit uncomfortable because it sits between your skin and your muscle. Please call us if you suspect a lipoma so we can properly diagnose and treat.
Soft Lump Under Your Skin? Let Us Help You Find Answers and Relief.
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) fatty growth that forms just beneath the skin. While typically painless and harmless, some lipomas can grow large enough to become uncomfortable or cosmetically bothersome. At Meira Dermatology, we provide expert diagnosis, monitoring, and removal of lipomas with your comfort and peace of mind in mind.
A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty tumor located between the skin and muscle tissue. It usually feels:
- Soft to the touch
- Round or oval-shaped
- Moveable beneath the skin
- Painless, though it may cause discomfort if pressing on nearby nerves or joints
Lipomas can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Back
- Arms
- Thighs
- Abdomen
They often develop in middle-aged adults, and while their exact cause is unknown, genetics may play a role.
Lipomas are not cancerous and do not typically pose any health risk. However, they should be professionally evaluated to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, such as:
- Cysts
- Abscesses
- Liposarcoma (a rare cancerous tumor)
Though rare, if a lump grows rapidly, becomes painful, or changes shape, it should be examined promptly.
We may recommend removal if the lipoma is:
- Causing pain or discomfort
- Interfering with movement or function
- Growing or changing
- Becoming infected or inflamed
- Cosmetically concerning to the patient
At Meira Dermatology, we offer safe and effective solutions to address lipomas:
Clinical Evaluation
We will examine the lump, review your medical history, and may recommend imaging or a biopsy if needed.
Surgical Excision
This is the most common and permanent solution. The lipoma is removed completely, often through a quick outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.
Steroid Injections
Used in select cases to shrink smaller lipomas or reduce inflammation if surgery isn’t immediately needed.
Lipoma removal is a routine, low-risk procedure. Recovery is usually fast, and most patients experience only mild soreness for a few days. We will provide aftercare instructions and monitor for any signs of recurrence, which is rare if the lipoma is fully removed.
If you’ve discovered a lump or bump under your skin, don’t guess — let us help. At Meira Dermatology, we specialize in diagnosing and removing lipomas safely, effectively, and with as little disruption to your day as possible.
Located in Largo, FL, we proudly serve patients from Clearwater, Seminole, Belleair, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, and across the Tampa Bay area.
Call (727) 777-6098
Or schedule your lipoma consultation online
It may be harmless — but it’s always worth checking. Let us give you clarity and confidence.
