Ugly Swelling On My Wrist

[Jennykenny]

I have a red fatty swelling on my right wrist for about seven years. It isn't itchy or painful, just looks ugly, and occasionally someone screams, "what is that on you wrist!!??" It measures about 5 inches long by 3 inches wide.

Doctors refuse to treat it as it is not a 'problem'.

Any thoughts, anyone??

[Sqad]

The obvious thing that comes to mind is a ganglion, which is a benign cyst.

No big deal.

[LazyGun]

I would have said a painless lump/swelling on the wrist, thought by your doctor to be not a problem was most likely a ganglion, but the description of red and fatty doesn't sound quite right - nor does the size -5 inches long by 3 inches wide? Are you sure about the size?

I suppose it could be a lipoma or may haemangioma maybe?

Enclosed is a link to a site that offers pictures of some of the more common skin discolourations, swellings, rashes etc. Does your swelling on the wrist look anything like those?

http://www.healthline.com/health/discolored-skin-patches

What I would probably do is to make a point of asking my GP what it is called, next time you need to go see them, just so you know what it is...

[boxtops]

I used to have a ganglion - I did the time-honoured thing and hit it with an encyclopedia, and it disappeared back inside..... but it was only a swelling, not red.

Good idea to ask your doc or practice nurse, next time you visit the surgery, just so you know.

[Sparkles62]

Sounds like a ganglion, I have vivid memories of my Grandmother hitting mine with the edge of the bible. Lol
It certainly worked, it went away and never came back. X

[sandyRoe]

And there's some here who say that the bible is no good for anything. :-)

[ChillDoubt]

Sounds big for a ganglion! Never seen one with those measurements. Possibly a lipoma?

[murraymints]

I have an ugly swelling sitting on the couch downstairs....if I hit him with a bible will he go away ?

[Sparkles62]

Lol @ Sandy. X

I don't mean to be rude Jenny, but are you sure that you mean 5x3 inches, that is very big, that is bigger that half a postcard, to put it into some perspective, thats really big to be on your wrist.

[Jennykenny]

Got the tape measure out and it is three and a half inches by two inches. So yes, have exaggerated the size somewhat. Any more thoughts??

[Sparkles62]

I've never seen a ganglion that big,
if it doesn't bother you, and you have had it for 7 years with no problems, then I would just leave well alone.
If it worries you then let the doc take a look, and put your mind at rest. X

[Sparkles62]

Sorry, just read " Docs refuse to treat it "
I would just leave well alone then if it's not painful. X

[slinky.kate]

I had a ganglion,very painful,had surgery to get it removed.

[Jennykenny]

Thanks to one and all.