Lumps in the Groin

June 2, 2018 Source: Internal - karim uddin, Other Source: https://patient.info/health/lumps-in-the-groin

Lumps in the groin are a common condition that can occur for a variety of reasons. The groin is the part of the body located above your thighs, but below the lowest part of the stomach. Within this area, you have several lymph nodes which are present but can not be physically felt. There are several reasons for lumps in the groin, some of which include swollen lymph glands, skin infections, hernias and fatty lumps.

Swollen lymph glands are one of the reasons for lumps in the groin. These glands are present all throughout your body and are responsible for fighting off infections. They are part of the immune system and are one of the first lines of defence against bacteria and viruses. However, sometimes these glands become infected and result in swelling. These infections can be caused by many things, some of which include skin infections, chickenpox, flu and glandular fever. Once the infection has been fought off, the swollen glands soon return to normal. Yet, in some cases the swelling does not go away despite there being no infection. This type of swelling is considered to be due to a type of cancer. Different cancers, such as lymphoma or leukemia, can cause lymph glands to become swollen and hard, and do not go away.

Another reason for lumps in the groin can be due to skin infections. These infections are mainly caused by abrasions from clothing, shaving or waxing, and develop around the hair follicle. The lumps present would be red/pink in colour, and result in a sore feeling when touched.

Less likely than the previous two reasons mentioned, another cause of lumps in the groin could be due to hernias. A hernia arises when an internal organ or part of body breaks through nearby muscle or tissue. This type of lump is less likely to go away on its own and should require immediate medical attention if severe pain is present.

Lastly, another reason for lumps in the groin could be due to fatty lumps. These types of lumps project from fat located below the tissue, and are very common. In most scenarios, these lumps are harmless are tend to go away on their own when left untouched.