Fatty nodules on the body - their features and methods of treatment

A lipoma is a benign tumor-like formation of fatty tissue. Lipomas on the body form under the skin in places where there is fatty tissue. Lipoma can penetrate deeply, being located between muscles and vascular bundles up to the periosteum.

Lipomas are usually painless, soft and mobile subcutaneous formations. They occur in different areas of the human body:

• head,
• neck,
• hands,
• legs,
• body.

Lipomas can also form on abdominal organs. That is why they are divided into external and internal. Lipomas can be single or multiple. Multiple lipomas are usually hereditary (so-called familial lipomatosis).

Lipomas on the body are more often found in places where fatty tissue is poorly expressed, namely:

• on the back (in its upper part),
• in the shoulder girdle area,
• on the outside of the shoulders or thighs,
• on the head.

Causes of lipomas on the body

The causes of lipomas on the body are not fully understood.

1. The main hypothesis for the occurrence of lipomas on the body is metabolic disorders associated with a deficiency of enzymatic proteins.
2. Also, one of the reasons for the appearance of lipomas is considered to be excessive clogging of the body with toxins, due to disruption of the liver and biliary system, although this has not been scientifically proven.
3. Hereditary predisposition to the formation of lipomas, the so-called familial lipomatosis (autosomal dominant type of transmission). Lipomas begin to form at a young age.
4. Neurotrophic disorders in a particular area of the body can contribute to the uncontrolled growth of adipose tissue.
5. One of the reasons for the formation of a lipoma may be the blockage of the sebaceous gland ducts.

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Why do lipomas appear on the body?

Possibly due to traumatic injury, against the background of which uncontrolled growth and proliferation of adipose tissue begins. There are cases of lipoma formation against the background of alcohol addiction, due to irrational nutrition together with insufficient physical activity. Sometimes lipomas are formed in the presence of such concomitant diseases as: diabetes mellitus, decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism), dysfunction of the pancreas and pituitary gland.

In any case, the cause of the appearance of lipomas on the body of each person will be determined by a specialist individually in order to prevent their further formation.

Symptoms of a wen on the body

As a rule, lipomas are discovered by chance, since they do not cause any discomfort. Complaints are mainly limited to a cosmetic defect. Clinical symptoms of a lipoma on the body are characterized as follows:

• a tumor-like formation of a round shape,
• the lipoma is located under the skin,
• mobile,
• painless,
• the skin in the projection of the lipoma is not changed,
• on average, the size of a lipoma varies from 0.5 cm to 5 cm or more,
• the consistency of the lipoma is from soft to moderately dense,
• the general condition is not disturbed.

Subcutaneous lipoma on the body

Subcutaneous lipomas on the body are equally common in both men and women. Subcutaneous lipomas do not cause inconvenience if they are small in size. But if the lipoma is subject to constant trauma, for example, friction from clothing, then such a lipoma must be removed to avoid infection and subsequent complications. Subcutaneous lipomas on the body can reach gigantic sizes (up to 30 cm or more), which not only causes inconvenience and a significant cosmetic defect, but also poses a threat to health, since it contributes to the occurrence of edema, disruption of local blood circulation and ulceration.

It is not difficult for a specialist (surgeon, oncologist) to diagnose a subcutaneous lipoma on the body.

Wen on a child's body

A lipoma on a child's body can appear at an early age. The causes of lipomas in children and clinical symptoms are the same as in adults. It is advisable to consult a doctor (pediatrician, pediatric surgeon) when a lipoma is detected in a child to choose the appropriate treatment tactics. Usually, surgical removal of lipomas is performed after the age of five, but everything is very individual. In the case of intensive growth of the lipoma, the occurrence of inflammation, pain, or it compresses nearby tissues, it is possible to remove it at an earlier age. It is important to understand and remember that it is strictly forbidden to remove or squeeze out a lipoma on your own, especially in a child, since this is dangerous due to the occurrence of serious complications.

Are lipomas on the body dangerous?

If you are interested in the question - are lipomas on the body dangerous? Then no, they are not dangerous, because lipomas are benign formations and they can very rarely degenerate into malignant forms. The risk of degeneration is posed by old lipomas, especially internal ones, which can form a capsule. But since the lipoma is constantly growing, it needs to be monitored:

• so as not to damage it and, as a result, prevent infection;
• so that it does not compress nearby tissues, nerve endings or organs (especially if it is an internal lipoma) in the case of its large size, which is an indication for its removal.

In the case of multiple lipomas that are growing, it is necessary to consult a specialist and decide on their possible removal.

Thus, a lipoma can be dangerous due to its complications:

• inflammation - the lipoma becomes painful, the skin above it turns red, its consistency changes;
• degeneration into a malignant form - liposarcoma;
• reaching large sizes, it compresses the surrounding tissues, which leads to disruption of their function.

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How to get rid of a lipoma on the body?

Both official and folk medicine know how to get rid of a lipoma on the body. But before you start treating a lipoma with folk methods, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Folk methods for eliminating a lipoma can be used if it is small and uncomplicated. There are the following folk methods for eliminating lipomas on the body:

• Using ivy leaves. To do this, crushed ivy leaves should be poured with vodka, in a ratio of one to one. The solution is left in a dark place for twenty-one days. After which the liquid part of the infusion is drained, and the thick gruel is applied as a compress to the wen before going to bed, and removed in the morning. Compresses are done daily until the wen disappears.
• Use of such a plant as golden mustache. Its leaves are crushed and applied to the lipoma area, wrapped with film (polyethylene) and a towel. The procedure is carried out every day before bedtime for two weeks.
• A mixture of two spoons of honey and one tablespoon of vodka is applied to gauze or bandage and placed in the area of the lipoma. This bandage is applied three times a day until the wen disappears.
• It is recommended to lubricate the area of the lipoma with balms such as “Red Elephant” and “Zvezdochka”, you can apply Vishnevsky ointment.
• It is recommended to use aloe. Its leaf is cut lengthwise and applied to the lipoma area and bandaged for fixation. This bandage is changed once a day. Aloe leaves can be applied for two to four weeks. During this time, the wen usually opens up.
• A tincture of birch buds is also used. The buds are collected in early spring, crushed, poured with 70% alcohol and infused for ten days in a dark place. Afterwards, the lipoma area is treated with this tincture several times a day for a month.
• It is recommended to remove the lipoma with medical or cosmetic clay. It should be diluted with water at room temperature to make a thick dough. Form a cake and apply it to the lipoma before going to bed. Apply daily until the lipoma opens. The clay must be made fresh before each use.
• You can use coltsfoot by applying several leaves to the wen until it disappears completely. For a greater effect, you can add crushed leaves to whole coltsfoot leaves and apply overnight.
• Celandine is also used. It must be brewed strongly and compresses made at night, before the lipoma opens.
• It is also recommended to eat one or one and a half spoons of cinnamon daily until the wen disappears.
• Garlic juice (one teaspoon) mixed with melted lard (one tablespoon) is used to treat lipomas. Apply or rub the lipoma several times a day until it disappears.

It should be remembered that long-term treatment of lipomas with folk methods is not recommended. If the lipoma has become painful, signs of inflammation have appeared, you should immediately seek help from a specialist in official medicine (surgeon, oncologist).

Treatment of lipomas on the body

Treatment of lipomas on the body can be conservative and surgical. Conservative therapy consists of injecting a special drug (diprospan) into the lipoma with a syringe, which dissolves it. After an average of three months, the lipoma dissolves. Very often, as practice shows, lipomas on the body have to be removed surgically.

Removal of lipomas on the body

Indications for removal of lipomas are:

1. The lipoma is rapidly progressing in growth.
2. Giant size of the lipoma.
3. Complicated lipoma: presence of signs of inflammation, pain, compression and dysfunction of adjacent tissues and organs.
4. Multiple lipomas.
5. A pronounced cosmetic defect.

Small subcutaneous lipomas are removed under local anesthesia in outpatient settings. In the case of complicated, large lipomas and those located in hard-to-reach places, the removal is performed in the surgical department in a hospital setting.

There are the following methods for removing lipomas on the body:

• The lipoma is excised together with the capsule – this is the most radical surgical method. A wide skin incision is made under local anesthesia, the lipoma is cut out with the capsule, stitches are applied and drainage is installed (if the lipoma is gigantic). The advantages of this method of removal are the absence of relapses, the disadvantage is that a scar remains after the operation.
• Endoscopic extraction of a lipoma. A small incision (about one centimeter) is made, through which the lipoma is destroyed and extracted inside the capsule. All this is done under the control of a special device, a mini-endoscope. The disadvantage of the method is the possibility of relapse. The advantage is that there are no scars left after the manipulation.
• Liposacuta of a lipoma. A skin incision of up to five millimeters is made, through which the lipoma is removed inside the capsule using a lipoaspirator. The disadvantage of this method is the very high frequency of lipoma recurrences.
• Laser removal of a lipoma is performed under local anesthesia. A cut is made in the skin with a surgical laser, and the vessels are coagulated with it to prevent bleeding. The laser removes the lipoma and its capsule without damaging the surrounding tissue. The operation takes 15-20 minutes. There are no scars after such an operation, and relapses are practically non-existent.
• Removal of a lipoma by radio wave method under local anesthesia. Also a very effective and bloodless method of removing a lipoma up to five centimeters in size using a radio knife. The lipoma is removed together with the capsule. There are no postoperative scars or relapses.
• Cryodestruction of a lipoma. Exposure of the lipoma to liquid nitrogen vapor. The advantages of the method are that the destroyed tissue is not removed and there are no scars.

The choice of the optimal method for removing a lipoma on the body is made by a specialist (surgeon, oncologist) based on anamnesis data, clinical symptoms and the degree of severity of the process.

Prevention of wen on the body

There is no specific prevention of lipomas on the body. Non-specific prevention can be carried out:

• A complete balanced diet – a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables, protein products (eggs, cottage cheese, milk) in the diet. Less fatty, fried, salty and sweet.
• Drink enough water – 1.5 – 2 liters per day.
• Active lifestyle – race walking, running, dancing, swimming, etc.
• Timely detection and treatment of concomitant diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, biliary tract disease, and liver disease.
• Do not abuse alcohol.
• Monitor the condition of your skin, especially if it is problematic – visit a cosmetologist.
• Avoid trauma to the body whenever possible.

Forecast of wen on the body

The prognosis of lipomas on the body in terms of health and life is favorable if they are not injured, identified and removed in a timely manner. Although lipomas can recur - appear both in new places and in places where they were removed. Very rarely, lipomas on the body can degenerate into a malignant form - liposarcoma.