Lipomas is the plural of lipoma. It is a condition that develops beneath the outermost layer of the skin due to the accumulation and growth of fat cells. When fat cells grow into a capsule under the skin, it is known as lipoma. When several such capsules are formed, it is known as lipomas.
Where Lipomas Develop
Lipomas can develop in the neck region, in upper arms or upper thighs, in the chest region or in the armpits. These are the areas that are commonly affected but lipomas can and do develop in other parts of the body as well. Lipomas may be spread out across different areas of the body but they are usually clustered if the condition has more than one or two capsules underneath the skin.
Understanding Lipomas
Despite being like tumors under the skin, lipomas are noncancerous. They are not fatal and cannot cause any harm to the human body. They are usually standalone and do not influence any other conditions either. Lipomas have a tendency to grow very slowly and can take years to develop into capsules that can be noticeable without touching the skin and feeling them. Usually, most people have lipomas which cannot be seen and noticed.
Lipomas are considered to be genetic in nature. There is no apparent cause that has been found yet which can be inferred to be the precise reason why lipomas develop. Interestingly, despite being caused by the accumulation, growth and development of fat cells, lipoma or lipomas are not caused due to obesity. Studies have shown that obesity or being overweight has absolutely no correlation with the condition.
Causes of Lipomas
The only cause that studies and medical research have found out is that an injury may trigger the condition and might worsen it over time. However, the exact nature of an injury or what kind of injury has the potential to have such a causal affect has not been identified or established by the medical fraternity till now.
Lipomas are not very large in size but at times they do develop into large rubbery balls having a soft texture. Since lipomas are painless, do not cause or influence any other condition and they are not cancerous, treatment is not always needed for lipomas. At times, lipomas can subside without any medication and if they don’t, surgery is not the obvious solution. However, surgical procedures do exist if lipomas become tender or extremely painful, cause infections or any kind of inflammations and tend to have undesirable symptoms and side effects.
