A lump under a scar is often a normal part of healing, like a healing ridge (temporary collagen buildup) or a soft fluid collection called a seroma, but it could also be scar tissue (hypertrophic/keloid), a fatty lump (lipohypertrophy), or even an incisional hernia, so seeing a doctor for persistent, painful, or changing lumps is important to rule out issues like infection or hernia.
This is called a hypertrophic scar. Sometimes scar tissue grows over the boundaries of the original wound, creating a puffy, round protrusion called a keloid. Hypertrophic scars and keloids may be itchy, tender, or painful.
A seroma usually forms after reconstructive surgery, during which dead space is created. Seromas typically appear as a soft, swollen lump, varying in size and presence of inflammation. Small seromas often regress on their own; those that don't can be aspirated using a needle and syringe.
Treatment
A seroma is a collection of clear, yellowish fluid that builds up in a space created during surgery or trauma, often appearing as a soft swelling beneath the skin. It results from disrupted blood vessels and lymphatic channels leaking serum into the tissue, which may or may not resolve on its own.
Unlike general swelling, which is widespread and evenly distributed, a seroma usually feels like a soft, sometimes squishy bulge that can move slightly under gentle pressure. A seroma may not cause pain, but patients often notice that the area feels different to surrounding tissue.
Gentle Massage (as directed by your surgeon): In some cases, once the initial healing phase has passed and with your surgeon's approval, gentle massage around the seroma area may help to encourage fluid reabsorption.
A keloid tends to begin as red or purple scar that matures over weeks or months into a skin-colored lumpy scar. It may not form immediately after an injury but develops months to years later. In a younger person, a keloid can enlarge as the person grows.
A keloid scar usually grows for months or years and becomes bigger than the original wound. While it's growing, it may feel itchy or painful. This usually stops once it's finished growing. If it's on or near a joint, the joint can be uncomfortable or difficult to move.
If a seroma is left untreated, it can sometimes become encapsulated and lead to abscess formation, which may require medical treatment.
HEIGHT - Hypertrophic scars are visible and oftentimes raised above the skin, although they rarely exceed 4mm in height. On the rare occasion, a hypertrophic scar may not be raised, but a differentiating factor of keloid scars is that they are always raised above the skin - typically by more than 4mm.
Scar tissue and scars are not inherently permanent and often lighten or improve over time. If a person takes proactive measures when a wound is healing or a scar is just forming, they can often reduce the overall severity of scarring.
Sun exposure: If a scar has been exposed to the sun without protection, it can become damaged and prone to developing skin cancer. Scars formed from injuries or surgeries in sun-exposed areas like the face, arms, or neck are especially at risk.
Explanation. After a C-section, many women notice changes in their abdominal wall which can include the development of a hard lump. This lump is often due to scar tissue or localized fat necrosis that forms as part of the normal healing process. In many cases, these lumps are benign and may not cause any problems.
Scar tissue can cause its own side effects: nerve pain or numbness if scar tissue forms around nerves. If scar tissue forms around a stitch from surgery, it's called a suture granuloma and also feels like a lump.
Suture Granuloma: New Bump On An Incision Line
However, not all of these growths are worrisome. A suture granuloma, for example, can normally be found on or near the site of past surgery. Suture granulomas are a mass or cluster of immune cells that develop at the site of surgical sutures, or stitches.
Treatments include the following:
While collagen cells are necessary to fortify the damaged area, they can also form in random patterns. When they overgrow, they can clump or ball up into tough scar tissue that is resistant to pulling and stretching.
The body's natural healing process can continue for up to two years, and scar tissue can change and improve over time. Therefore, it is rarely too late to massage scar tissue, even for several months or years old scars.
You may feel bumps and lumps under the skin. This is normal and is due to the dissolvable sutures under the surface of the skin. These deep sutures take months to completely dissolve and the scar will not be smooth until this time.
Corticosteroids can be injected into raised scars, such as keloids and hypertrophic scars. These injections help reduce inflammation and scar size. Cryotherapy involves freezing the scar tissue with liquid nitrogen to flatten and soften it. Cryotherapy is most effective for more minor scars.
You should carry on massaging your scars for at least three to six months after your surgery or injury. What happens if I do not do anything? Your scar could become hard and inflexible or adhesions may form. Scars that cross a joint could stop you being able to bend or straighten the joint (a contracture).
5 Natural Ways to Help Get Rid of a Seroma