In most cases, small bumps or lumps on your body are not harmful, even if they are painful. Occasionally, these bumps need checked out by a doctor, though, to ensure it’s not an infection or something more serious. Insect bites, acne and boils are usually harmless, while bumps caused by diseases such as shingles should be brought to a doctor’s attention.
Nodules
Nodules are large, hard bumps caused by acne under the skin’s surface. They can be very painful and last for months, sometimes causing scarring. If you attempt to squeeze a nodule, you can cause trauma to the skin, making the nodule last longer than it normally would. If the nodule is bothering you, see a dermatologist, who can inject the legion with cortisone to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.
Cysts
Similar to nodules, acne cysts are filled with pus and have a diameter of 5 millimeters or more. As with nodules, cysts are painful and can scar. If you try to squeeze it yourself, you could cause a deeper infection and very painful inflammation. A cortisone shot administered by a dermatologist also can work on a cyst.
Boils and Carbuncles
When bacteria infects a hair follicle, it forms a boil, a painful, pus-filled bump under your skin. A cluster of boils formed by a connected area of infection under your skin is known as a carbuncle. Boils starts as tender red lumps that quickly fill with pus, growing larger and more painful until it is ruptured and drained. Treat boils and carbuncles at home by applying a warm washcloth soaked in salt water to it for 10 minutes every few hours. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic and cover the boil with a bandage. Do not try to squeeze it yourself, as it can spread the infection.
If the boil or carbuncle is very painful or lasts longer than two weeks, call your doctor. He can make a small incision at the tip of the infection that relieves pain and speeds up recovery. If there is a deep infection that cannot be drained completely, the boil will be covered with sterile gauze so the pus can drain completely over time.
Insect Bites
Insect bites are generally harmless, especially those from mosquitoes and biting flies. They can, however, cause a mild reaction. They typically cause the affected area to itch, undergo mild swelling and can have a somewhat painful stinging sensation. More serious insect bites come from bees, wasps, fire ants and certain types of spiders. Signs of a serious reaction include nausea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, facial swelling and shock. Call 9-1-1 if any of these occurs.
Shingles
Caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, shingles’ symptoms include fluid-filled blisters in one area on one side of the body, as well as burning or tingling pain. Shingles can be treated with antiviral drugs, which help reduce painful after-effects known as postherpetic neuralgia. For most people, treatment heals the blisters and pain subsides within three to five weeks.
