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Lumps of fat under the skin

Dear Doctor,
I am a forty year old male in good health with no physical ailments. I have a concern regarding what appears to be lumps of fat (I can't think of any other way to describe them) all over my body just below the skin and above the muscle layer. There are more than forty of these "lumps" all over my body (arms, legs, back, side of body). The lumps vary in size from 1cm to 3cm in diameter. The lumps seem to be concentrated in areas where I have a lot of fat, such as around my waist, back, and on the side of my body half way between my underarm and waist. However, there are some lumps where there isn't a lot of fat, such as on my forearm or bicep area. I have had these lumps since I was a teenager and didn't worry about them because my mother had the similar condition. Two years ago, I had one of the lumps removed on my back because it was about 4-5 cm in diameter and gave me discomfort whenever I sat back on the hard back of a chair. The doctor told me afterwards that it was just deposits of fat and I had nothing to worry about. However, he could not tell me if my condition was common or why this is occuring or even if there was something I could do to prevent or reduce the number of these lumps on my body. Nevertheless, I am concerned even more these days because the lumps seem to be increasing in number. Doctor, please let me know what is causing this and if there is anything I can do to get rid of these lumps. Thank you very much in advance.
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17484332 tn?1457103566
men:

http://lymphaticsystem.organsofthebody.com/images/lymphatic-system-function-thumb.jpg

ladies:

http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/704/flashcards/586704/png/lymphatic_system1310769499554.png

hi,

i think the lumps you guys are taking about are lymph nodes, part of the lymphatic system

i've also had that fatty deposit/ lipoma  thing on my arm, but that was different than all these other lumps under my skin

the links above are picture examples of the lymph nodes (i think there are way more in the breasts, but you get the idea)
Helpful - 1
19648064 tn?1481667808
hey mate ive got these lumps all over my abdomen had them for years my doc said they are fat deposits they seem to gather in my stomach which is where all my fat is have a pot belle an they are not visible I can feel them only when I push on my stomach or if I bend at the waist they are not very big the largest would be about 3cm but lately they feel as if they have grown a bit I'm a slim person but like I said all my fat is in my stomach  
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1 Comments
Easy solution with NO scars! HI to everyone who had this problem like I did. First, have a Dr do a biopsy to make sure none of them are cancerous, then, find a place that does something called CoolSculpting. Also known as cryolipolysis. They use what is basically a suction cup on the OUSTSIDE of your skin to suck the area in question slightly up in what is a kind of a little refrigerator and keep it cold enough that the fat dies from lack of blood flow but the skin on top and the other tissues and whatnot do not. Over the next few months the fat just fades away. It worked on my bellyfat and on my fatty (benign) tumors. Good Luck!
18668539 tn?1466795033
I have had these fat lumps for years. I had three removed since 2 years ago. One was in my back and caused discomfort when I was lying on my back, one was in my shoulder, and one was recently removed on my arm. The arm one has left a nasty scar because it was a rather deep one and the doctor used Vitamin K to reduce bleeding while hunting down the roots of the Lipoma and pulling out strands of it after the main lump had been taken out. Then I had it stitched and I made the mistake of not going there in 7 days as instructed to pull out the stitched. I waited 10 days. By which time the stitches had been taken in my body and I still feel the stitches in my arm. Have to go to the doctor again.

Anyway, what I can tell you all is that two summers ago I ate a lot of yellow Pakistani mango. This is the aromatic kind that can be bought in May-July. Then one day I felt my lumps and they were noticeably smaller, and softer. I asked my doctor and he said more study needs to be done to confirm this theory. Last year again I ate a lot of yellow Pakistani mango and again the Lipomas felt smaller and softer. Some of them in my arms could barely be felt. My weight during both summers remained the same.  This is worth trying. I don't know whether other kinds of mango can help reduce the size of Lipomas, but it's worth a try.

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Avatar universal
Intresting idea that it could affect blood pressure, as i had my lupoma lump and high blood pressure diagnosed the very same day,now i have more its affecting my health big time,mines is on my right leg at the top of the muscle its just grew from there and other areas.karen 41
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Avatar universal
i have many too.  and wonder if i have more inside impinging on arteries causing high blood pressure, or on nerves or other organs.  might we share dry skin, dry scalp, or dry lips?  that would be good to know.
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Avatar universal
Hii Everyone, i do have lot many lumps on my arms and thighs n back and now right side of my rib area which is a bit painful small ones..I started workin out few yrs back and quit after a year and then this lumps started as per my body and i am now worried tat its mulyiplying and few painful ones.. y don we all take initiative and ask the doctors to find some medicine for all of us which would be safe and no side effects...some one create a facebook group for us to share more info on getting treated to tis lets all join hands n get rid of this lumps so that our future generations don suffer like us :(  wat do u say ???
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1 Comments
Hi! Your exact description is what I'm experiencing. Did you ever figure it out? Thanks.
16170596 tn?1445839657
Thank you for this information. I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow and admit I am scared.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Even I have got these on my ribs, some on suggested me to make a paste of raw wild turmeric and alum in equal quantity and apply on the lumps for a few days till you notice changes.
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Avatar universal
I am diabetic & accidently injected my insulin I a fat deposit/tumor.  It did not hurt & I was unaware it was there.  3 weeks later my stomach got very sore, hot, & my sugar levels were out of control.  The insulin in the fat deposit caused a terrible infection.  This happened yesterday & the Dr. lanced it & gave me 21 days of am penicillin.  I'm just hoping  it doesn't take long to quit hurting  & my sugar to get balanced out.  So if you take any kind of injections please be careful!
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Avatar universal
hi, im malcolm from county durham, i also have scores of fatty lumps around my torso, ive had some took out, but tests came back clear, just common fatty tissue, ie lipoma, medical term,you have to learn to live with them
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Avatar universal
Thanks.  Informative
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Avatar universal
I am a 63 yr. old female and just started getting these lumps under the skin on the tops of my thighs about 4 or 5 years ago.  I agree that it is concerning that so many young people are getting them.  Makes you wonder what toxins tend to cause fat to develop.  I am very thin so they do stand out some on my legs but nothing so bad that anyone but me notices them yet.  Since they are located on my "lap" basically, I also have wondered if the electro-magnetic field on my laptop might be contributing but it sounds like they can pop up anywhere.  I try to keep the computer on a table or put a barrier like a thick pillow between my laptop and my legs.  I asked a nutritionist and compounding pharmacist (one person) if he knew anything that might disolve fat deposits.  He suggested digestive enzymes so I wonder if a combination of detoxing, digestive enzymes, coolsculpting and the ayurvedic medicine mentioned might help rid our bodies of these deposits?  I'm going to research the medicine and I am betting it can be bought at an Indian grocery store but not sure.  I am also going to call a few plastic surgeons or dermatologists to get there opinions on whether Coolsculpting can get rid of lipomas.  I will report back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Even i have around 50-60 lumps in total, specially in my arms, few on my waist, 1 in the stomach and 1 on the thigh... m really concerned as they are growing in numbers (specially in the arms), all cant be removed by surgery.. and i have not consulted any doctor yet...can anyone let me know any remedy to get rid of them, i am 25...
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Avatar universal
HI Rathinra,

"I to have these fatty lumps on my body from teenage. But now their number is increasing. I recently went to a ayurvedic doctor who gave me some medicine and say all lumps will disappear in 3 months if I take the medicines regulaly."

I have read ur above comments, could you please let me know if you have used that medicine , if so is there any improvements ?
Also please let me know the medicine name and where it is available.

Thank you in advacne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone,
I just returned today from my dermatologist and had a fatty lump removed from my buttocks. It was a small bump that continued to grow over the years. I was tired of feeling awkward at the gym when I would shower and my husband was also getting worried seeing it grow. When the doctor removed it he could not believe the size. He had brought in a small dish to put it in but ended up having the nurse go to get him a large jar. It was the size of a softball. I had no idea what was under the surface and neither did he.

I have another smaller one on my lower back that does seem to disappear with massages but then comes back.

My recommendation is to not wait too long if they are growing. It will only get more complicated to remove down the road.

Hope this helps someone trying to make a decision.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi all... I too have a bunch of these annoying lumps.. For all of you worried and unsure about drs diagnosis I know how you feel.., I spent years concerned and sceptical about several dr's diagnosing me so quickly with such lack of interest ... But I felt I needed to add my own experience in hopes it may aid in putting some nerves and minds at ease... I noticed my first few lumps at 9 or 10 at the latest... Instantly my mind spiralled into a vision of ugly outcomes for my life... But I am now 40 years old and the ones that annoyed or worried me then are the exact same ones that annoy but no longer worry me... I've come to terms with the fact that just like all the fat people are annoyed with on their bodies this is exactly the same... Just unwanted fat... I'm in better than average shape and have been my entire life but I guess we all have to have fat somewhere.lol!  30+!years with this condition and they All vary in size and feeling but are all just fat!! I'm living proof that you have nothing to worry about so live your lives and be thankful it's just fat like everyone else... Take care all.. Hope it wasn't to boring to read, just hope it helped brighten a few peoples outlook on their situation cause it really messed me up as a child for years... Wish you all the very best in life! Ciao! Regards RDN :c)
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Avatar universal
omg same! Mine grew and it hurts! im very young and im very scared because I might have to get a surgery to get it out its on my right arm it grew and it hurts! :( im really scared but once its gone I wont always worry about it I guess XP
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Avatar universal
A lipoma is a non-cancerous (benign) fatty lump that usually causes no symptoms or problems. Most lipomas are small and are best left alone. However, a lipoma that develops under the skin can sometimes look unsightly. If required, it can be removed by a simple operation done under local anaesthetic.


What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a soft fatty lump. It is a non-cancerous (benign) growth made up from fat cells that clump together. A lipoma can occur in any part of the body where there are fat cells.

LIPOMA -LARGE
Large lipoma on the back

Lipomas typically feel soft and can be felt to move slightly under your skin when you press on them.

Lipomas under the skin are the most common

Lipomas often form in the fatty tissue under the skin. These are also the most noticeable ones, as they look and feel like soft, dome-shaped lumps under the skin. They vary in size from pea-sized to several centimetres in diameter. The most common sites where lipomas develop are on the shoulders, the chest and the back but other areas of the skin can develop a lipoma.

Other parts of the body

Lipomas can less commonly form inside the body too. However, in most of these cases you will not be aware that you have a lipoma, as you cannot see them and they rarely cause any problems.

Who gets lipomas and how common are they?

Anyone can develop a lipoma at any age. Lipomas are common - about 1 in 1,000 people develop one or more lipomas. Some people inherit a tendency to develop lipomas and may have several on different parts of the body. Sometimes as many as 20 or more develop. However, it is more common to develop just one or two.

Lipomas can occur in people who are normal weight as well as people who are overweight.

What are the symptoms of a lipoma and are they harmful?

In themselves, lipomas are not serious and most lipomas cause no symptoms or problems. They grow very slowly. Sometimes a lipoma under the skin can be unsightly if it grows to be several centimetres across. Rarely, a lipoma may press on another structure and cause problems. For example, if one presses on a nerve it may cause pain. Also, rarely, a lipoma may develop in the gut wall and cause problems such as pain or a blockage of the gut.

Sometimes a scan or other investigation that is done for other reasons may detect a lipoma inside the body by chance. There is a condition called familial multiple lipoma in which groups of fat cells occur under the skin and then produce multiple fatty lumps. This is an uncommon condition and runs in families.

Note: lipomas are always benign. There is no scientific evidence that a lipoma increases the risk of developing a cancer in the future. However, lipomas can sometimes be mistaken for a cancerous tumour called a liposarcoma. These are usually large (5 cm or more in diameter) and grow rapidly. If you are concerned about a lipoma which has started to increase in size you should consult your doctor.

Do I need any treatment for a lipoma?

Usually not. If you are not bothered by a lipoma that develops, then it is best just to leave it alone. However, some people want lipomas that are unsightly to be removed for cosmetic reasons. For example, if they occur on the face.

Occasionally, a lipoma needs to be removed if it is causing symptoms such as pressure symptoms. Sometimes a lipoma inside the body is removed to look at under the microscope to make sure the growth that had been detected is a lipoma and not something more serious.

For a lipoma that forms under the skin, usually it can be removed by a simple minor operation. Some local anaesthetic is injected into the skin over the lipoma. Once the overlying skin is numbed by the local anaesthetic, a cut (an incision) is made over the lipoma. The lipoma is then removed and cut away from the underlying tissue. The wound is then stitched up. A fine scar will be left.

Steroid injections and liposuction are sometimes used as alternatives to surgery.

References & Disclaimer | Provide Feedback











Original Author: Dr Tim Kenny  Current Version: Dr Laurence Knott  Peer Reviewer: Prof Cathy Jackson  
Last Checked: 02/08/2013  Document ID: 4288  Version: 39 © EMIS




The Information Standard - certified member  Hope this helps a bit
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Avatar universal
Hi Everyone,

Sorry I didn't get back with my son's results.  The medicine he took didn't help.  After the 1st bottle he said he didn't think it did anything, but when he ran out he thought they might have started getting worse so I ordered another bottle and we decided to double the dose to see what happened.  At that point he didn't feel it helped. Sorry to say. :(  The whole body detox sounds good that evadawn0304 was talking about.  Someone else mentioned massage earlier, that sounds like a good combination and she said it worked, so we'll look into that.

Thanks for your input evadawn. =)
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Avatar universal
1st Row... not 1st "now"
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Avatar universal
Sorry about all the typos on my last post,.. it's hard to write On these tiny Keyboard on my phone. In 2nd paragraph, 1st now,.. I meant "There are Lots of controversial methods to DETOX one's body..." not "detain"one's body... LOL.
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Avatar universal
l have the same problem with tiny lumps under the skin, and I am quite fit and have very little body fat. I was told by a Naturopathic Doctor tha t they Were toxin deposits collected in tiny beads of fat tissue. A complete body DETOX will get rid of most, and special massage to Start Loosening up these deposits. Eating organic, detox and lots of water is the key.

There are lots of controversial methods of detain one's body are out there on the internet, so make sure that you get your information from the right source and you are SUPERVISED by a naturopathic doctor during your detox.

There is a famous MD who only practices naturopatic medicine and CURES EVERYTHING, including all kinds of cancers. Her name is Dr Rima Laibow. She could be contacted via Facebook, or her various websites. Just do a search on her name, and her sites Will come, up.

l hope this helped. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
I have 1000s of small balls in my legs could it be the same.??
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Avatar universal
Thanks!!!!!! Thanks a million!!!!! I will try Kanchnar Guggul as I am so full of lumps on my stomach and back. Good luck to your son too!!!
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