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Have Asthma. Noticed Small Movable Lump Under Skin On Elbow. How To Overcome This?

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Posted on Thu, 28 Feb 2013
Question: Hi, I have a small moveable lump under the skin by my elbow....only noticed it in the past few days, however have had some pain putting pressure on my elbow over the past month...I am 32, 85Kg, failry fit and no serious medical issues other than asthma that I am aware of.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Lumps can form in any layer of the skin; the epidermis, dermis or in the subcutaneous tissue. Within the epidermis and dermis, the most common lumps are benign papilloma (overgrowth of layers of skin), seborrhoeic keratosis , hemangiomata, keratoacanthoma.

Since the lump is not visible on the surface of the skin then it most likely in the subcutaneous tissues. The most common are lipoma (a lump made up of a collection of fat), bursa, sebaceous cyst, ganglion, neurofibroma. All of these are benign.

When diagnosing a lump a doctor looks at the following: its location, size, consistency (firm, hard or soft), shape, colour, any tenderness, , edge, presence of any pulsations, compressibility (if can compress may be a type of cyst or bursae), translucency.

If there is no associated discharge then , out of the possibilities in the subcutaneous tissues, subcutaneous cyst can be ruled out.
That would leave lipoma, ganglion, neurofibroma,bursae, cysts.
Lipomas cause no discoloration of the skin, usually not tender, can occur in the arm.
Ganglions can occur on any aspect of the body but are more common at the joints.
Bursae can also develop in any joint space
Neurofibroma are usually firm and small in size.

These lesions are treated only if they are uncomfortable to the peron involved.
To determine the exact mass would require examination by your doctor,if possible.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Have Asthma. Noticed Small Movable Lump Under Skin On Elbow. How To Overcome This?

Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Lumps can form in any layer of the skin; the epidermis, dermis or in the subcutaneous tissue. Within the epidermis and dermis, the most common lumps are benign papilloma (overgrowth of layers of skin), seborrhoeic keratosis , hemangiomata, keratoacanthoma.

Since the lump is not visible on the surface of the skin then it most likely in the subcutaneous tissues. The most common are lipoma (a lump made up of a collection of fat), bursa, sebaceous cyst, ganglion, neurofibroma. All of these are benign.

When diagnosing a lump a doctor looks at the following: its location, size, consistency (firm, hard or soft), shape, colour, any tenderness, , edge, presence of any pulsations, compressibility (if can compress may be a type of cyst or bursae), translucency.

If there is no associated discharge then , out of the possibilities in the subcutaneous tissues, subcutaneous cyst can be ruled out.
That would leave lipoma, ganglion, neurofibroma,bursae, cysts.
Lipomas cause no discoloration of the skin, usually not tender, can occur in the arm.
Ganglions can occur on any aspect of the body but are more common at the joints.
Bursae can also develop in any joint space
Neurofibroma are usually firm and small in size.

These lesions are treated only if they are uncomfortable to the peron involved.
To determine the exact mass would require examination by your doctor,if possible.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions