Skin healthAtopic dermatitis

What's on my skin? 8 common bumps, lumps, and growths

From acne to hives, get the lowdown on your skin issues.


LearnSkinAcneWhat's on my skin? 8 common bumps, lumps, and growths
Skin tags
Epidermal cysts
Hives
Warts
Common moles
Acne
Skin boils
Ringworm

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When a bump or rash pops up on your skin, a lot of questions probably go through your mind. What happened here? Is it going to leave a scar? How can I make this go away?

With that in mind, here are some of the most common skin growths, what causes them, and how they’re treated.

Sources: MedlinePlus. Cutaneous skin tag. Reviewe... + 22
  1. MedlinePlus. Cutaneous skin tag. Reviewed July 19, 2021.
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Skin Tag (Acrochordons). Reviewed May 1, 2021.
  3. National Health Service (UK). Skin tags. Reviewed November 20, 2019.
  4. Medscape. Epidermal Inclusion Cyst. Updated September 17, 2020.
  5. Mayo Clinic. Epidermoid Cysts. April 7, 2020.
  6. Cleveland Clinic. Skin. Reviewed October 13, 2021.
  7. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hives: Diagnosis and Treatment. Updated September 28, 2021.
  8. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hives: Overview. Updated September 28, 2021.
  9. Cleveland Clinic. Hives. Reviewed October 14, 2022.
  10. Familydoctor.org (AAFP). Warts. Updated August 11, 2021.
  11. MedlinePlus. Warts. Updated April 4, 2016.
  12. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Warts: Diagnosis and Treatment. Updated January 26, 2023.
  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV Vaccine Information for Young Women. Reviewed April 18, 2022.
  14. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Moles: Who Gets and Types. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  15. National Cancer Institute. Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma. Reviewed November 17, 2022.
  16. Mayo Clinic. Moles. February 18, 2022.
  17. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acne: Who Gets and Causes. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  18. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acne: Tips for Managing. Updated November 16, 22.
  19. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Treat Different Types of Acne. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  20. Cleveland Clinic. Pimples. Reviewed March 4, 2022.
  21. Mayo Clinic. Boils and Carbuncles. September 18, 2021.
  22. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Treat Boils and Styes. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  23. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Ringworm: Diagnosis and Treatment. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Written by Olivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.May, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Olivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.May, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
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