Skin-colored bumps on your skin can have several possible causes. Most bumps or lumps on your skin, according to Medline Plus, are benign and are usually no cause for concern. However, it's always a good idea to have any unusual growths or bumps checked out by a dermatologist in order to rule out more serious conditions and to discuss possible treatment options.
Types
Benign, flesh-colored bumps on your skin can be moles, skin tags or seborrheic keratoses. Other flesh-colored skin bumps may be keratoacanthomas. These bumps need be biopsied to rule out skin cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Features
Moles are often dark in color, but some can be skin-colored. While moles are usually benign, some can develop into skin cancer. If you have a mole that changes color or shape, you should have it examined by a dermatologist as soon as possible. Skin tags are benign, flesh-colored flaps of skin, while keratoacanthomas are flesh-colored bumps that contain a paste-like substance made of keratin. Seborrheic keratoses are usually benign, skin-colored spots that have a raised surface and can sometimes have a waxy appearance.
Treatment
Most benign skin bumps such as moles or seborrheic keratoses don't require treatment unless they become irritated or you want them removed for cosmetic reasons, and as long as you've had them checked out by a dermatologist to rule out the possibility of skin cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Keratoacanthomas are surgically removed. In the case of skin tags, your dermatologist can freeze them with liquid nitrogen or remove them surgically.
Considerations
According to the Mayo Clinic, you have a higher likelihood of developing certain types of skin bumps, such as seborrheic keratoses, if you're older than 50 or you have a genetic predisposition to this condition. Keratoacanthomas occur more frequently in people who have had a history of overexposure to the sun. Other benign skin bumps like moles develop due to exposure to sunlight or the aging process.
Warning
If you have any type of unexplained bump, a bump that changes in appearance or is painful, contact a medical provider as soon as possible. Your doctor will perform a thorough examination to determine the type and cause of the skin bump. If possible, make a note of when the bump developed, how it's changed over time and any other symptoms you have prior to visiting your doctor.
