Hard & Painful Lump on Legs Underneath Skin: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Whilst lumps and bumps can form effectually anyplace throughout the body, the legs are considered one of the most prevalent parts. With a plethora of lump descriptions, sizes and textures forming under skin on legs, the presence of one or multiple lumps can be enough to jolt people into crying panic without stepping back, relaxing, and getting a professional diagnosis before launching to worried perceptions.

The fact is, while some leg lumps are indeed hostile and require immediate treatment, plenty are utterly harmless. So to save the burden of constant concern and anguish regarding leg lumps, this article will explain all necessary about common causes, symptoms, and how you should proceed with sinister leg lumps.

What Causes a Lump on Leg?

There’s no solitary answer to this question, simply because a variety of disparate lumps have the potential to form on the legs. The specific temperaments of the lump in question are vital to establish the condition you may have, and will help provide intuition into the potential symptoms you’re likely to encounter.

A commonplace lump on legs is a lipoma. Referring to nonirritating lumps generated by excessive overgrowth of fat cells, lipomas are typically soft and squishy and don’t pose serious menace to health. They’re not considered a painful lump, and can occur virtually anywhere across the body including near the chin or near groin areas. Due to their innocent nature, they seldom require removal. However, if your leg lump is considerably painful and hard, an alternative diagnosis is expected.

What is The Painful, Hard Lump on My Leg?

It’s unattainable to achieve a detailed confirmed diagnosis without consulting a qualified doctor for examination, but having at least some vision into the possibilities may help ease your mentality. A common painful hard lump on leg is a cyst, a lump filled with fluid that develops just beneath the skin’s upper surface if apparent within the legs. Cysts aren’t universally the same, but they’re frequently harder than lipomas and can be moved upon touching.

However, if your hard leg lump is notably painful and making you feel frail with following fever, it’s likely an abscess. Often caused via bacterial infections, brimming with pus and normally featuring redness and swelling, a leg abscess can be a very painful infirmity. If small it may wither of its own accord, but if exceptionally enlarged and aching you’re doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to kill any trace of remaining infection so the abscess can opportunely heal.

Visible Symptoms For a Lump on Leg Under Skin

Whilst many leg lumps under the skin are visibly salient with the naked eye, there’s other signs many don’t partner with lumps. Deeper rooted lumps within the leg aren’t typically seen by simply looking at the leg itself, so remaining vigilant for other cues is crucial to ensure you don’t overlook something. For example, a hematoma (a deep bruise) is often accompanied by a tender lump that’s noticeable to touch but not by sight. A hematoma itself is very recognizable due to its intensified bruised appearance, but the accompanying lump is worth getting reviewed to ensure relevant blood vessels aren’t severely clotting or damaged.

Is a Lump on Lower Leg More Dangerous?

There’s no concrete data to suggest lower leg lumps are deadlier inside the top of legs, but certain conditions are more prone to occur on legs below the knee than thighs. Erythema nodosum is a prime example, as this typically thrives only on the shins. Characterized by noticeable red lumps often developing in clusters, this condition is relatively rare and has numerous triggers including bacterial throat infections and even hormonal imbalances.

Lumps on lower legs as a result of this ailment are often raised, red and inflamed. Swelling may also be present and you could also experience joint pain, fever and nausea. The vibrant strawberry red shade of the lumps gradually turns purple, and after a few weeks they become a faded brownish yellow color akin to an old bruise.

What Treatments Are Required For Lower Leg Lumps?

If erythema nodosum is confirmed by your doctor, multiple courses of treatment can be considered. Treating the underlying cause is crucial to alleviate symptoms, and this may involve regular ingestion of steroidal medications to ease inflammation.

But there’s plenty of methods you can try at home for alleviating pain and discomfort, including tight support stockings when walking, both cold and hot compresses in alternating shifts and simple bed rest to eliminate pressure on the entire leg area.

But if you’re diagnosed with an alternative lump like a cyst or lipoma, medications typically aren’t necessary. Especially regarding lipomas, they’re often best simply left alone as they’re not risky or dangerous. But if sizably large and irritating to the individual, having them surgically removed is an option in certain cases. Abscesses on the other hand are a little more complex, with infection clearing antibiotics often prescribed and even a draining process if the lump is particularly big. Only a professional doctor is recommended to attempt this, as a sterilized needle will need to be inserted into the abscess to effectively drain the pus.



Article References:

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15008-lipomas
  2. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/cysts
  3. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/abscess/article_em.htm
  4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erythema-nodosum/
  5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/steroids/art-20045692