Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under your skin. They're harmless and do not usually need any treatment, but it's important to get any lumps checked by a GP.
Lipomas are common.
They:
Lipomas often appear on your shoulders, chest, arms, back, bottom or thighs.
You can also get a lipoma in other places, such as your forehead.
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.
In rare cases, lumps under your skin can be a sign of something more serious.
Lipomas are harmless and do not usually need to be removed. They would only be removed on the NHS if it was growing or causing symptoms because of where it is.
If you have it removed it may be sent to a laboratory to check it is a lipoma.
You can pay to have a lipoma removed at a private clinic, but it may be expensive.
A GP can give you advice about where to get treatment.