What Causes Back Fat Patches?
Back fat patches are often a concern for the person who finds one in their own body. Sometimes not just one fat pat appears on the back, but other smaller patties can grow along with it, which of course makes a person even more anxious.
Fat patches are completely harmless in most cases. In any case, however, it is important to always consult a doctor in the presence of fat deposits , which in turn can create a differential diagnosis of the lesions; that is, while the ailment may initially look like a normal fat patch, it can also be another pathology, such as sebaceous cyst or folliculitis, or hair follicle inflammation.
While it is true that fat is the most common cause of this ailment, it is not a disadvantage for a patient to seek medical examination so that an expert can clearly determine what this ailment is actually about. Sometimes a clinical examination alone is sufficient to determine the origin of the disorder without the need for further investigation of the diagnosis.
Subcutaneous fat accumulation is called lipoma. The name refers to its structure, which consists of fat cells, or cells that contain fats, or lipids.
Lipomas are not malignant fat deposits and are usually limited in size and do not affect other body structures. However, there are other entities of fat patches, such as large lipomas and internal lipomas, which in turn can lead to unexpected complications and even to the point that they can disrupt the function of other organs.
Back fat patches: differential diagnosis
As we have already mentioned, the diagnosis of fat patches on the back requires a so-called differential diagnosis, i.e. a diagnosis that helps to distinguish between similar diseases. The doctor’s office must therefore assess whether it is a lipoma or, for example, another skin lesion with similar symptoms. Below we present in more detail the three most common reasons for the formation of fat patches on the back.
1. Lipoma
Lipoma is a classic fat pat. Its growth is slow, progressive, and is usually noticed until the patient notices it, sometimes even by accident. Lipoma does not cause pain and eventually always reaches a point where it stops growing – with the exceptions mentioned in the previous paragraph. If the fat patch is small, your doctor may often recommend that nothing be done to correct the discomfort. In the case of a large or aesthetically disturbing fat pat, it can be removed by local surgery.
2. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an infection that affects the hair follicle. It can occur on the back and especially in the lower part where there is more hair. Sometimes folliculitis can be painful, sometimes it doesn’t hurt at all. Pain is usually associated with an infection affecting the area.
If such a complication occurs on the skin, an inflammation causes rot, which tends to escape through pressure; this is the biggest difference between folliculitis and lipoma, as in lipoma the fat patty does not cause secretions. Treatment for folliculitis consists of antibiotics if there are infections in the area, emptying the folliculitis if there is rot in the area, and local thorough cleaning with antiseptics.
3. Fatty cyst
This lesion is very similar in composition to lipoma because it contains fat inside. The histological difference between the two ailments is the surface surrounding the cyst and the fact that there is fluid inside the cyst. Fatty cysts do little to cause pain, but they can become inflamed like folliculitis.
When touched, the fat cyst is mobile and when a small amount of pressure is applied to the area, it may even sink slightly. Like lipoma, the treatment of a fatty cyst is based on the size of the cyst and the discomfort it causes. If it is decided to remove it, the removal of the cyst is performed as in lipoma in local surgery.
Back fat: symptoms and risk factors
Adipose tissue or lipoma is a common ailment in the back, although it can also occur in the upper limbs and neck. Lipoma is less common in the lower extremities.
When touching the lipoma in the fat pad, a certain mobility and softness can be observed. When pressure is applied to the area, it can also sink minimally, but it is not liquid like a cyst, which is why it provides some resistance when felt. It is usually easy for a doctor to identify them by mere touch on the basis of its characteristic signs.
The size of the grease pans does not exceed 4-5 centimeters. If it’s bigger, we’re already talking about a large lipoma, which in itself is its own entity. Its treatment, in turn, requires a different approach, as it penetrates deeper structures into the body and is not as easy to remove as in the cases mentioned above.
The origin of lipomas is not known with certainty. It is assumed that they have some sort of genetic link because fat patches occur repeatedly in families with this tendency. In this respect, however, there are no convincing studies to support this assumption.
When it comes to age, the group with the most fat patches is adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Nor has science been able to define with more precise certainty why more fat patches are produced in these particular age groups.
When should back fat patches be shown to a doctor?
In the case of fat patches on the back, it is always advisable to consult a doctor so that he or she can perform a differential diagnosis of the patches to rule out other similar ailments and diseases. It is the person skilled in the art who can quickly distinguish whether it is a lipoma or some other entity, even one that is harmful to health. At the same visit, the doctor will also determine the appropriate method of treatment for the patient, if necessary, depending on the size, quality or location of the fat patch.
However, some of the following symptoms may be a sign that you should rush to the doctor’s office as soon as possible:
- Grease patch size increase
- Rotten that flows outward
- Hardening of putative lipoma and loss of mobility and softness
- Swollen ganglia near the area
Pay attention to the fat pads
Although lipomas are benign, they are always worth paying attention to. It is always better to see a doctor. There is even more reason to see a doctor if the birth and occurrence of fat patches are associated with symptoms that may indicate, for example, inflammation, compression of nearby structures, or an increase in the size of the fat patch.
