An advertisement of an ointment claims that it can treat lipoma bulging by clearing lymphatic blockages.
The caption reads, ‘Reduce inflammation and benign lipoma, comprehensive skin improvement, easy to absorb, penetrate deep, and quickly relieve discomfort.’
https://www.facebook.com/100092260878489/videos/6084488358340617/
What exactly is Lipoma?
Mayoclinic defines lipoma as a slow-growing, fatty lump that's most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. A lipoma, which feels doughy and usually isn't tender, moves readily with slight finger pressure. Lipomas are usually detected in middle age. Some people have more than one lipoma.
FACT CHECK
NewsMeter found the claim to be false.
A medical article on Elolve college says, ‘Massage of an unknown lump is contraindicated until your client has seen their healthcare practitioner for proper diagnosis. If your client does have a Lipoma, then although there is no research to suggest that massaging it will do any damage, there is also nothing to suggest that it will help either.
Healthline says, ‘Lipomas are noncancerous fatty growths that typically pose little immediate health risk. Medical professionals can remove these growths through surgery, although this will typically be for cosmetic benefit.’
https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/lumps#takeaway
According to Mayoclinic, ‘No treatment is usually necessary for a lipoma. However, if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, your doctor might recommend that it be removed.’
Moreover, it also suggests treatments such as-
Surgical removal- Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising. A technique known as minimal excision extraction may result in less scarring.
Liposuction- This treatment uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty lump.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374474
Medical News Today laid out some risk factors of developing a lipoma-
· Obesity
· High cholesterol
· Diabetes
· Liver disease
· Glucose intolerance
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322551#risk-factors
Can lipoma be cancerous?
Rarely, in some cases, but not negligible. We found no clinical evidence to prove the sprays useful in getting rif of lipoma. Moreover, on the flipside, it could get really risky to postone the real treatment while using OTC medication.
Mayoclinic writes, ‘There's a very small chance that a lump resembling a lipoma may actually be a form of cancer called liposarcoma. Liposarcomas — cancerous tumors in fatty tissues — grow rapidly, don't move under the skin and are usually painful. A biopsy or an MRI or CT scan is typically done if your doctor suspects liposarcoma.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374474
Lastly, lipoma is not a life-threatening condition. But it should not be treated with self-care at home. Lipoma may go on its own but if the pain or size increases, rush to your nearby doctor and seek medical advice. Any kind of spray or ointment or heat compress is useless over lipoma, as it is a collection of fat cells and not a normal bump.
