Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under your skin. They're harmless and do not usually need any treatment.

Check if you have a lipoma

Lipomas are common.

They:

• feel soft and squishy
• can be anything from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across
• may move slightly under your skin if you press them
• are not usually painful
• grow slowly

Lipomas often appear on your shoulders, chest, arms, back, bottom or thighs.

You can also get them in other places, like your temple.

See a GP if:

• you get a lump anywhere on your body
• your lump is painful, red or hot
• your lump is hard and does not move

A GP will usually be able to tell if the lump is a lipoma.

If there's any doubt, they may refer you for a scan to check it out.

In rare cases, lumps under your skin can be a sign of something more serious.

Getting a lipoma removed

Lipomas are harmless. They're not usually treated on the NHS.

You can pay a private clinic to remove a lipoma, but it may be expensive.

A GP can give you advice about where to get treatment.

Find a plastic surgeon