Dermatofibromas are common firm skin growths that normally grow in a deeper layer of skin. They can be pink, brown, red, purple or darker than surrounding skin and often have the appearance of either raised or slightly sunken bumps.
We offer private assessment of dermatofibromas and other skin lumps. Your clinician will examine the area carefully, discuss your concerns and advise if treatment, monitoring or removal may be appropriate.
Most dermatofibromas are harmless, but any new, changing or uncertain skin lump should be examined by a clinician. You may want to schedule an appointment if the lesion is:
Your clinician can assist with differentiating between a probable dermatofibroma and other forms of skin lesion.
Some lumps in the skin can look similar to each other, especially if they are pigmented, firm or changing. Prior to any removal being considered, the lesion should be reviewed first.
Your clinician will ask when it appeared, if it has changed, if it bleeds, if it is painful and if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer. This helps to decide if the safest option is simple reassurance, removal or referral.
Dermatofibromas don’t always need to be removed. Surveillance may be sufficient for small, stable, asymptomatic lesions, however they can be removed if they are uncomfortable, repeatedly irritated, or causing cosmetic concern.
Alternatively, removal may be considered if the diagnosis is in doubt. Your clinician may ask for the lesion to be sent for laboratory analysis following removal.
The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthetic. This means the area is numbed before the lesion is removed, making the procedure more comfortable.
Sometimes dermatofibromas are deeper than they look, so need to be removed with a small cut followed by a few stitches to stabilise the area. The best approach, healing time and expected scar will be discussed with you before proceeding.
Your appointment will start with a consultation and skin check. The doctor will look at the dermatofibroma, check your medical history and discuss whether it should be removed.
If treatment is needed, the skin will be cleaned, numbed and treated with a minor surgical procedure. You may feel some pressure or movement, but once the anaesthetic takes effect you should not feel any sharp pain.
After removal, you will have a dressing in place and the area may be tender. Stitches may need to be removed at a follow-up appointment and the wound will need time to heal depending on the treatment area. Aftercare can include:
We will explain what is expected and when to seek advice.
The removal of any skin lesion can leave a scar. In dermatofibromas, the scar can sometimes be more noticeable than the original lump, especially in areas where the skin is under tension or heals more slowly.
This will be discussed withy you in detail before treatment. Recurrence of dermatofibromas may occur if they are not completely excised, but excision is not always advised without clinical indication.
If the lesion is unusual, changing quickly, bleeding, irregular, very dark, painful or difficult to diagnose, your clinician may refer you for specialist dermatology review prior to treatment.
Safety is paramount for cosmetic removal with us. If a referral, biopsy or further assessment is the better option, this will be clearly explained in your appointment.
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