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What to do if…
you notice a new lump or swelling that appeared suddenly and is growing

Short answer

Get it checked promptly. If it’s growing quickly or you also have redness/heat/pain, fever, or you cannot get a GP appointment, use NHS 111 for same-day advice; if you have mouth/tongue/throat swelling or breathing trouble, call 999 now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not squeeze, lance, puncture, or try to drain the lump.
  • Do not “wait and see” if it is getting bigger quickly, becoming red/hot/painful, or you feel unwell.
  • Do not keep pressing or massaging it to “see if it moves.”
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s medication.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel faint/very unwell, or if swelling is affecting breathing or swallowing.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency red flags (act immediately if any):
    • Call 999 if your lips, mouth, tongue or throat are swollen, you’re struggling to breathe, your throat feels tight, you’re struggling to swallow, you become very drowsy/confused/dizzy, or you look blue/grey/pale.
  2. If not 999, pick the fastest safe NHS route to assessment:
    • If you can, contact your GP surgery and say: “New lump/swelling appeared suddenly and it’s getting bigger.”
    • If you cannot get a prompt GP appointment, or it’s growing quickly or you also have redness/heat/pain, fever, or you feel generally unwell, use NHS 111 (online or phone) for same-day direction.
  3. Make a 60-second symptom summary you can read out:
    • When you first noticed it, and how fast it’s changing.
    • Where it is (exact spot), and whether it’s painful, red, hot, itchy, or firm/fixed.
    • Any triggers: recent infection, insect bite/sting, injury/bruise, new medication/food, or recent vaccination.
  4. Document change without poking it:
    • Take a clear photo in good light.
    • Only if there is a red patch on the skin, you can draw a thin line around the edge and note the time. This is just to show change—do not use it to delay getting help if it’s spreading fast or you feel unwell.
  5. For specific high-importance locations, don’t postpone booking an exam:
    • If it’s a breast lump or a testicular lump, book a GP appointment as soon as you can even if it’s not painful.
    • If it’s a neck lump and you also have voice change, trouble swallowing, or breathing discomfort, use 111 urgently (or 999 if severe).
  6. If you feel generally unwell, treat it as more urgent:
    • Fever/chills, rapidly spreading redness, worsening pain, or feeling “flu-like” alongside swelling should push you toward urgent same-day advice via 111, or A&E if severe.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide what it “is” right now.
  • You do not need to research images online or keep re-checking it every hour.
  • You do not need to arrange private tests before a first NHS assessment unless you choose to—your first step is simply getting examined.
  • You do not need to repeatedly measure it; one clear photo and your best estimate of change is enough for now.

Important reassurance

New lumps and sudden swelling are common, and many causes are treatable (for example inflammation, infection, a cyst, a bruise, or a reactive lymph node). The safest move is not to self-treat or repeatedly prod it—just get it assessed promptly, especially because you’ve noticed it’s growing.

Scope note

These are first steps to keep you safe and route you to the right NHS service. Next steps (monitoring, treatment, tests or referrals) depend on what a clinician finds.

Important note

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are rapidly worsening, you feel seriously unwell, or you have any breathing/swallowing symptoms, use emergency services.

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