Noticed A Hard Lump Under The Skin. Lumps Moves Around While Touching. Is This Serious?

Posted on Thu, 20 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 Answered on

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I just noticed a hard lump under the skin on my four year old daughter. It moves around when I touch it. It where her bikini line meets the leg on the right side. She says it doesn't hurt and the skin isn't discolored. She does not have insurance.

Answered by Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (1 hour later)

Hi there.
I understand your concern & empathise with you given your daughter is 4 years old.
However the lump you describe, is most likely a mobile local lymph node of the region. Sometimes these get enlarged with any mild inflammation of the area or on account of any inflammation in its drainage region eg leg on the right side ? minor trauma etc. Most often this is an insiduous occurence & will not be any issue. Relax. I would advice leave it alone for now & 'observe'. If in 2-4 weeks, you feel this lump has increased in size or others have sprung up, then please take her across to a paediatric surgeon for an asessment & perhaps an FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) will clear the air sans any surgical intervention.
Trust this has calmed your nerves & have pointed you in the direction of an informed deciscion. Do hope all is well & your little one continues to enjoy good health! Cheers!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar