Dr Lalitha Badul
Nodules are growths or hard lesions that are covered by the epidermis. They develop from a variety of causes. Nodules can occur in any of the three layers of the skin, namely, the epidermis (outer), dermis (middle) or the subcutaneous (fatty) layer of the skin. All nodules need careful medical evaluation as some types of nodules are cancerous.
Common causes
• Sebaceous cyst (epidermoid cyst) – a dermoid cyst is a variation.
• Lipoma.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
• Warts.
• Xanthoma.
• Acrochordons.
Less common causes
• Dermatofibroma (also called histiocytoma).
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• Malignant melanoma.
• Pyogenic granuloma.
• Nodulocystic acne.
• Kerato-acanthoma (also called molluscum sebaceum).
• Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis.
• Rheumatoid nodules.
• Gouty tophi.
• Keloid scars. Management depends upon the diagnosis of the lesion.
So get tested today. Next week we look at each nodule.
