Have weird small lump under my skin, what is it & what doctor do I go to?!
Question: A few yrs ago, I noticed a small lump under my skin in my upper abdomen area. It was about the size of a small popcorn kernel. Lately, it seems to be getting a little bigger, and is now about the size of a large pea.
I'm a little scared, and am definitely going to the dr, but I'm not sure if I should go to a general practitioner or a dermatologist. I was leaning towards a dermatologist, since it is right underneath my skin, and was hoping they might be able to do a biopsy in the office or something (?) if needed, whereas if I go to my general doctor I will likely have to go on to see someone else after that.
It feels like a semi-hard mass and it's about 1/4 of a centimeter under the skin. That's about the only way I can explain it. And it feels like I may have another tiny one close to my armpit.
Any thoughts on what it might be or which doctor I should see?
Answers: A few yrs ago, I noticed a small lump under my skin in my upper abdomen area. It was about the size of a small popcorn kernel. Lately, it seems to be getting a little bigger, and is now about the size of a large pea.
I'm a little scared, and am definitely going to the dr, but I'm not sure if I should go to a general practitioner or a dermatologist. I was leaning towards a dermatologist, since it is right underneath my skin, and was hoping they might be able to do a biopsy in the office or something (?) if needed, whereas if I go to my general doctor I will likely have to go on to see someone else after that.
It feels like a semi-hard mass and it's about 1/4 of a centimeter under the skin. That's about the only way I can explain it. And it feels like I may have another tiny one close to my armpit.
Any thoughts on what it might be or which doctor I should see?
I doubt a derm will be able to deal with it directly, but I *KNOW* a GP won't be able to.
So, I'd go to the derm and be prepared for a minor operation (he won't do it then, he'll schedule it).
Don't worry about it. "A few years ago" means that this is not a "do it this hour" issue.
Its probably a harmless cyst, or it may even be a foreign object (missing any ball bearings?).
It can wait a day. Or two.
BUT GET IT DONE!
it could be a cyst.
I really think see a doctor first and doctors usually have mini surgerys in their surgery room. it could be a lymph node because you say theres one next to your armpit? It could have something to do with your breast? ( breast lump) but dont be scared because alot of these things are benign (non cancerous) but it is growing so that means get it checked out really soon. And even if the doctor says its nothing i always get a second opinion to make sure it is nothing from another doctor. ( some doctors dont have much knowledge)...
Maybe you would want to see your GP and see what he/she recommends. He/She are going to know what specialists you should be seeing. If you would rather see a dermatologist then go because it never hurts to see either one and get their opinion and then they can direct you to the correct specialists.