Why do I feel a little ball under my skin?

September 29, 2025 •

3 min read

While finding an unexpected lump can be alarming, most lumps and swellings under the skin are benign and harmless, especially if they feel soft and roll easily under the fingers. Understanding why do I feel a little ball can help you determine the next steps with confidence.

Quick Summary

That 'little ball' you feel is often a benign lump like a cyst or lipoma, or it could be a swollen lymph node reacting to infection. While most are harmless, understanding characteristics and when to seek medical advice is key.

Key Points

Most Lumps Are Benign: A vast majority of lumps or "little balls" under the skin are harmless, such as lipomas (fatty growths) and cysts (fluid-filled sacs).
Swollen Lymph Nodes Are Common: Your immune system can cause lymph nodes to swell in response to an infection, often appearing in the neck, armpits, or groin.
Characteristics Help Identify: Soft, movable lumps are usually benign. Hard, fixed, or rapidly growing lumps are more concerning and warrant medical attention.
Don't Squeeze or Pop: Attempting to drain a lump at home can lead to infection or further complications. See a professional if it becomes painful or infected.
Seek Medical Advice for Red Flags: If a lump is growing quickly, hard, painful, or you have other symptoms like fever, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosis is Necessary: A doctor can perform a physical exam, and if necessary, use imaging or a biopsy to determine the cause and recommend treatment.

The Common Culprits: What Your 'Little Ball' Might Be

When you discover a small, ball-like mass under your skin, it's natural to feel a sense of alarm. However, there are numerous potential causes, and a majority of these are non-cancerous and treatable. Your body is a complex system, and sometimes it creates harmless formations in response to various internal and external factors. Knowing the most frequent causes can help you assess the situation with a clearer perspective.

Benign Fatty Tumors (Lipomas)

Lipomas are among the most common reasons for feeling a soft, moveable 'ball' under the skin. These non-cancerous growths of fatty tissue are located between the skin and underlying muscle.

Key Features: They are typically soft, doughy, and easily shift under your fingers.
Location: Common on the torso, neck, arms, shoulders, and back.
Cause: The exact cause is unknown, but genetics may play a role.

Fluid-Filled Pockets (Cysts)

Cysts are another common cause, presenting as closed sacs under the skin filled with fluid or other material.

Types: Epidermoid cysts are frequent on the face, neck, and torso, while sebaceous cysts stem from blocked oil glands.
Key Features: They feel like smooth, firm lumps and can become inflamed or tender if infected.
Treatment: Some resolve on their own, while infected or bothersome ones may require medical drainage or removal.

Your Body's Immune Response (Swollen Lymph Nodes)

Swollen lymph nodes are part of your immune system's response to infection. These bean-shaped glands filter toxins and bacteria.

Location: Commonly felt in the neck, armpits, and groin.
Key Features: They are often tender or painful and firm to the touch, decreasing in size as an infection clears.
Cause: Frequent causes include colds, sore throats, or other localized infections.

Joint-Related Lumps (Ganglion Cysts)

Ganglion cysts appear near joints or tendons, often on the wrist.

Key Features: These fluid-filled cysts are smooth and can vary in firmness. They may change size and are usually painless unless they press on a nerve.
Cause: They are thought to form from fluid leaking from joint or tendon sheaths.

Comparing Common Lumps

Understanding the key differences between common benign lumps can help you recognize what you are feeling.


Feature	Lipoma	Cyst	Swollen Lymph Node
Feeling	Soft, doughy, non-tender	Smooth, firm, like a small blister or pea	Firm, often tender or painful
Movement	Moves easily under fingers	Movable, can feel like it's rolling	Can move, but less freely than a lipoma
Appearance	Often skin-colored	May have a visible blackhead-like pore	None visible on the surface, just a bulge
Location	Anywhere with fatty tissue	Often face, neck, back, chest	Neck, armpit, groin

When to Be Concerned: Red Flags to Watch For

Most lumps are harmless, but certain signs indicate a need to see a healthcare professional. Red flags include a lump that is hard, immovable, growing rapidly, or changing in shape/color. Also, be concerned if it becomes painful, red, inflamed, bleeds, oozes pus, is located in the breast or testicles, or if you have systemic symptoms like fever or unexplained weight loss.

How a Doctor Diagnoses a Lump

A doctor will typically perform a physical examination to assess the lump's characteristics. Further steps may include observation if it appears benign, biopsy if cancer is suspected, or imaging like ultrasound, CT, or MRI for a detailed view.

What You Can Do

Many benign lumps don't require treatment. However, if a lump is uncomfortable, bothersome cosmetically, or inflamed, removal might be suggested. This could involve draining an infected cyst or surgically removing a lipoma.

Conclusion: Knowledge is Power, But Don't Hesitate to See a Pro

Finding a lump under your skin can be concerning, but most are benign like lipomas, cysts, or swollen lymph nodes. Observing characteristics and red flags is helpful, but professional medical advice is essential. See a doctor if you have concerns, especially if the lump is hard, immovable, growing, or painful. For more information, consult resources like the {Link: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003279.htm}.

Frequently Asked Questions

A lipoma is a soft, fatty, non-cancerous growth that moves easily under the skin, while a cyst is a smooth, firm sac filled with fluid or semi-solid material, often caused by a blocked gland or follicle.

Yes. Trauma or injury is a common cause of skin lumps, sometimes called a 'goose egg.' This is due to swelling and can also be bruised. It usually resolves on its own.

No, most lumps are not cancerous. Cancerous lumps are a rare possibility, but benign causes like lipomas, cysts, and swollen lymph nodes are far more common.

Swollen lymph nodes are usually tender or painful and typically appear in the neck, armpits, or groin during an infection like a cold. They should decrease in size as you recover.

No, you should not attempt to pop or squeeze a lump. This can introduce bacteria, lead to infection, and potentially cause scarring. It is best to have it professionally drained if necessary.

You should see a doctor if a lump is hard, immovable, grows rapidly, is accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, or is in a sensitive area like the breast or testicles.

Stress itself does not directly cause lumps under the skin. However, stress can trigger or exacerbate certain skin conditions or cause swelling associated with inflammation, which might feel like a lump.