Dermatofibroma is a small, solitary, harmless lump on the skin. They are firm or hard to the touch, and vary in colour. Dermatofibromas may heal as depressed scars after a few years have passed since their development. It is mostly women whose arms and legs dermatofibromas can be found on, but they can affect men as well (the female to male ratio is 4:1). Adults aged 20 to 49 are more vulnerable to developing dermatofibroma.
Dermatofibroma is also called “benign fibrous histiocytoma.” They can grow in any part of the body but typically grow on exposed parts like arms and legs. They might also be itchy or tender. Although nobody knows how they occur with certainty, they sometimes appear after a scrape, prick, or injury. Sometimes Dermatofibromas grow with time so that the lump that was small when it first appeared might become more prominent over time. The Dermatofibroma can occur in different colours like pink, red, or dark brown. If you want your Dermatofibroma removed, you’ve come to the right place. Our surgeons specialize in microsurgery and will ensure that they deliver successful results.
Do you have small red, pink, or brown growth on your skin? It could be anywhere, but mainly on the arms and the legs. If yes, then you might have Dermatofibroma. Our surgeons at TMSC are experts in microsurgery and among the top plastic surgeons in Ontario, with more than 15,000 combined surgeries. Their expertise in microsurgery help them deliver successful results to all his patients.
So, what are the features of Dermatofibroma, and how can you identify them? Well, we’ve already discussed what they look like, their colour, and their sizes. We also know that they don’t cause much pain or discomfort. Although in some cases, there could be a pain, tenderness, and itching. Mostly, a dermatofibroma nodule is singular, but in some cases, multiple Dermatofibromas are possible. Typically, the nodules are around half an inch in size in diameter.
Appearance: Round bump, mostly under skin; firm to hard to the touch
Size: Most are 3 to 10 millimeters wide; can range from the size of the tip of a ballpoint to a pea
Colour: Usually brownish to tan, but can be pink or reddish; some are paler in the center; colour may change over the years
Location: Usually arms and legs, but can also develop on the torso and on other parts of the body
Additional symptoms: Typically painless, but can be itchy, tender, painful, or inflamed sometimes. Hard when touched. When pinched, it can be sensitive and tender, and often dimples inward instead of pushing outwards, which is one of the symptoms that can be used to distinguish between dermatofibromas and other lesions. Sometimes, these bumps lead to itching. If they are shaved over, they may burst and bleed.
Dermatofibroma is caused by the overgrowth of the second layer (the dermis) within the skin. It is unclear to doctors why this growth occurs. Small trauma to the skin, however—such as splinters or bug bites—is sometimes correlated with the growth of dermatofibromas.
Usually, only one dermatofibroma appears on the body. In cases where people have a weakened immune system, multiple dermatofibromas can appear.
Even to this day, it is unknown exactly why dermatofibroma appears on the body. That is why it is called an idiopathic condition. They could be the outcome of a scratch, cut, injury, bug bite, or occur without any reason. They are usually harmless and benign. In the beginning, they could be as small as half an inch wide. Healthcare providers have said that they are the growth in the second layer of the skin. That layer is called the “dermis.” Usually, most people have them removed for cosmetic purposes as they typically occur on the parts of the skin that are exposed. Sometimes, people have them removed because they can become itchy, painful, and tender to the touch. They do not occur in children as much as they do in adults. Young women seem to be more prone to them as compared to others. Some people can also get several Dermatofibroma on different body areas, and they can grow over time.
If you have the following symptoms, your chances of developing dermatofibroma increase.
Gender: Young women mainly develop dermatofibroma nodules as compared to their counterparts. Men don’t present with this condition as much as women.
Age: Children are not as prone to Dermatofibroma as adults. It is rare for a child to present with such a case.
At TMSC, a board certified surgeon will surgically remove the dermatofibromas, which is followed by stitching of the skin. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area during the procedure, and after the initial sting of the injection, the procedure will be 100% painless.
A dermatofibroma diagnosis depends on the patient’s medical history and symptoms. The first thing that a physician does is conduct a local examination. There are various ways that a doctor can confirm Dermatofibroma. They use sight and light. Also, a doctor could squeeze the skin and see if it causes a dimple in the middle. If our surgeon is unsure about Dermatofibroma, they will order a biopsy. Assessment results are typically shared in a few days.
Usually, Dermatofibromas don’t require treatment as they are not cancerous or painful. But in some cases, they could be sore and tender. Most people who seek treatment for Dermatofibroma do it because of cosmetic reasons or if they feel any discomfort. Patients also look for treatment because the dermatofibroma nodules keep growing. The most common methods of treatment are steroid injections, surgical excision, and freezing the nodules. Surgical excision is the most reliable way of removing Dermatofibroma as it is permanent.
When you come to Body Surgery by Dr. Tutino for your initial consultation, Dr. Tutino will physically examine your Dermatofibroma and your medical history. Unlike other surgeons, who you only see during the actual procedure, Dr. Tutino is with you from the initial consultation to the final follow-up. Once he has examined your area thoroughly and gone through your medical history with you, he will schedule an appointment for dermatofibroma removal and discuss the expected outcomes. Hence, patients are satisfied with the results. He also makes sure that your procedure is as painless and pleasant as possible.
On the day of the surgery, Dr. Tutino will administer local anesthesia and remove the Dermatofibroma without causing you any pain or discomfort. After the procedure, he will stitch up the area. There might be some scarring, as the dermatofibroma cells could be embedded deep in your skin. Dr. Tutino will take you through the entire aftercare process for your wound and the scar to have a minimum effect. The downtime associated with dermatofibroma removal is minimal. You can quickly go back to your routine life after the procedure. Dr. Tutino might ask you to stay away from strenuous activities for some time. Once he knows that the wound has healed, he can allow you to start your regular exercises or other strenuous activities that you did.
Scarring is as small as possible; we understand and respect our patients’ desire to minimize scarring, and therefore take great care to ensure that your results are optimal. We also use scar management gels after surgery.
Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced professionals who care deeply about their patients. Rest assured all of our procedures are carried out with the utmost care, precision, regard for aesthetics, and in a safe environment.
Yes, Dr. Tutino can altogether remove the dermatofibroma from your body. He does that with surgical excision. Make sure that you don’t try to remove any skin growth at home. This DIY attempt may lead to infections, scarring, and bleeding.
Currently, there are no ways of shrinking a dermatofibroma or changing its size. If you want it permanently removed, then Dr. Jindal or Dr. Tutino at TMSC can surgically remove it. Do not attempt to do it at home.
A dermatofibroma is a typical growth on the dermis. It is not cancerous, nor can it turn cancerous at any point.
A dermatofibroma can feel like a lump or even like a stone under the skin. These lumps are typically painless, but some people might experience itching and tenderness.
If there is a medical reason for removing the dermatofibroma, then insurance could cover it. But if it is a cosmetic issue, then it will not.
