Lump in the thigh can be caused by a variety of conditions such as tumors, infections, trauma or inflammation. The cause of this lump will determine if it is painful, soft, firm, single or multiple. Simple remedies can help relieve certain symptoms, however, if the condition does not improve or you notice the symptoms getting worse, contact the doctor as quickly as possible to determine a more appropriate course of action.
Symptoms of Lump in Thigh
The root cause of this lump will help to determine the type of symptoms that accompany this condition. Evaluating these symptoms can help you and your doctor understand what might be causing this lump to appear so it can be accurately treated.
| Symptoms | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Leg Symptoms |
Pus, discharge, redness, warmth beneath the skin, bleeding, bruising, muscle weakness, muscle spasm, limited ability or an inability to move the leg and pain which may be a dull, burning, sharp, aching or stabbing sensation |
| Other Symptoms |
May also be accompanied by lumps or other swelling throughout the body or a fever |
Causes and Remedies of Lump in Thigh
In many cases the cause will be obvious based on the circumstances when the lump first appeared. In other cases you may need to evaluate your symptoms and work with your doctor to fully understand the root cause of your condition. It is important to treat both the root cause of your condition as well as any symptoms to ensure that you can minimize the chance of the lump growing, spreading or becoming worse.
Trauma
Injury to the leg can case a lump to appear in the thigh. This might include hematoma, sprains, strains, bites or stings, contusions or fractures of the bone.
Hematoma is often treated with the RICE method or rest, ice, compression and elevation. Some believe that heat makes a good alternative to ice because it will encourage blood flow to the area. If your condition is causing pain, you can use over the counter medications to help manage this discomfort. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what type of medication would be the most appropriate. For example, those taking anti-coagulation medications should use ibuprofen and those with liver disease should avoid acetaminophen.
Infections
An infection such as a boil, abscess, cellulitis or papillomavirus infection can cause lumps to appear in the thighs.
A simple boil can be managed with a hot pack or hot soak that will increase circulation to the area so your body can fight off the infection. Don’t try to open the boil if it is small and firm, but once it forms a head or becomes soft you should make a small opening to lance the boil. Larger boils should only be lanced by a medical professional. An abscess or boil should also be treated with antibiotics from your doctor to ensure that this infection will not spread to other areas of the body or the surrounding skin.
Tumors
Benign or malignant tumors such as melanoma, fibroma, lioma, nevi, osteosarcoma or non-melanoma skin cancers can cause a lump to appear on the thigh or other parts of your body.
You should consult your medical physician for an MRI examination to determine what is causing this type of lump.
Life Threatening Conditions
Malignant tumors in the soft tissue or bone and osteomyelitis, a bone infection, can cause lumps to appear in the thighs.
When to See a Doctor
If you have experienced coldness of the feet, weak or absent pulses, high fever, obvious breakage or a deformity of the bones, paralysis or an inability to move a body part, loss of sensation in the leg, uncontrolled or heavy bleeding or uncontrollable pain you should seek medical attention immediately. This is a sign that there is a serious condition that will need to be evaluated and treated as quickly as possible to minimize the damage.