Skin Lump

When to Call for Skin Lump

Care Advice

Treatment for a Small Lump or Swelling

1. What You Should Know:
   • Most new swellings are due to insect bites. Mosquito bites account for 90% of them. Your child may not even know that he got bit.
   • Suspect an insect bite if there are bites on other parts of the body.
   • While most insect bites cause a small red bump, some are larger (like a hive).
   • This does not mean your child has an allergy or the bite is infected.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Cold Pack for Swelling:
   • Apply a cold pack or cold wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
3. Steroid Cream for Itching:
   • If the swelling is itchy, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
   • Do this 3 times per day.
4. Allergy Medicine for Itching:
   • If itching becomes severe, give a dose of Benadryl.
   • No prescription is needed. Age limit: 1 and older.
5. What to Expect:
   • Most insect bites itch or hurt for 1 or 2 days.
   • The swelling usually peaks in 2 days, but may last a week.
   • If the swelling becomes larger or doesn't go away, it needs to be examined.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Swelling becomes very painful
   • Fever occurs
   • Swelling becomes large (over 1 inch or 2.5 cm)
   • Swelling lasts over 7 days
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Lumps that are a Normal Part of the Body

1. Breast Buds - Normal Lump Under the Nipple:
   • Breast buds are normal, small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple.
   • Age. They normally occur in 8-12 year old girls and are the first sign of puberty. Sometimes, they are even normal in 7 year olds.
   • One Side. They sometimes start just on one side. Don't worry about that. Within 2 or 3 months, a breast bud will also appear on the other side.
   • Importance. The entire breast develops entirely from the breast bud, taking 2 or 3 years to completion.
   • Symptoms. Breast buds normally can be somewhat tender.
   • Caution: Never squeeze or massage breast buds. Reason: Can cause a serious infection.
   • Risks. None. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
   • Follow-up. You can have your child's doctor check the breast bud during the next regular office visit.
2. External Occipital Protuberance - Normal Lump on Back of Head:
   • The lump you feel at the base of the skull in back is normal. It is a bony part of the skull that sticks out and feels hard.
   • If you feel carefully, you will find one on yourself or other children.
   • This is not caused by any injury.
3. Mastoid Process - Normal Lump Behind the Ear:
   • The mastoid process is a bony lump you can feel behind the lower ear.
   • Muscles that turn the neck attach to the mastoid process.
   • The process is larger in men because of larger neck muscles.
   • The mastoid is filled with air cells that connect to the inner ear.
4. Xiphoid Process - Normal Lump at Bottom of Breastbone:
   • The small hard lump at the lower end of the sternum (breastbone) is normal. It is called the xiphoid process. You can feel it.
   • It is more prominent in babies and slender children. Sometimes, it's more visible when breathing in.
   • If you feel carefully, you will find one on yourself or other children.
   • It's made of cartilage, but turns to bone in adults.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You have other questions or concerns

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.