Everything You Need To Know About Fibroma & How To Manage It?
Perhaps you have noticed recently a new bump on your foot, or on other parts of your body. Or maybe it is a lump that you had gotten a few months ago, and it still has not gone away. In either of these cases, you might have what is known as fibroma.
Before you start getting worried, we assure you that it is not as big of a deal as you might believe, and that there is nothing really to worry about. In this article, we will answer some of your frequently-asked questions about what is fibroma, as well as ways to manage it. Without further ado, let’s begin!
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1. What is fibroma?
Essentially, it is a tumor made from fibrous and/or connective tissue. It is usually caused by an abnormal growth within these tissues, and it can happen in just about any part of the body, from the uterus even to the eyelid.
Via: Bioped.com
2. What are the different types of fibroma?
There is a variety of different kinds of fibroma out there, but in essence they can be divided into two categories:
- Hard fibroma. Also known as the “fibroma durum,” hard fibroma is comprised of a complex system of fibers and tissues, some of which come from scar or skin tissue.
- Soft fibroma. Known as the “fibroma molle,” soft fibroma is made of a loosely-connected network of cells and fibrous tissue. It also can have a shaft, i.e. loose end, and tends to appear under armpits, the groin, or the neck.
On the other hand, fibromas can be divided into different body areas as well:
- Angiofibroma. Commonly found in teenage boys, this particular fibroma affects blood dilation of vessels, thereby producing what appear to be acne along the cheeks and nose.
- Cystic fibroma. This type of soft fibroma consists of dilated lymphatic vessels, which are responsible for transferring white blood cells, as well as absorbing fatty acids in the body.
- Myxofibroma. Caused by liquid production of soft tissue, myxofibroma tends to affect areas near the teeth, as well as other underlying areas of the body.
Via: Pinterest.com
- Ossifying fibroma. Related to the bone, ossifying fibroma affects the tibia and fibula leg bones, although the former tends to be more susceptible to the condition. It causes hard fibroma to be produced, which then leads to swelling in the region.
- Ovarian fibroma. Next to uterus fibroma, this particular one affecting the ovaries commonly affects middle-aged women, often during post-menopause. It can involve a lesion, along with a mixture of tumors.
For more in-depth information on these types of fibroma, as well as other ones out there, you can read about them in this article here.
3. What is the type related to running?
While fibroma can affect just about anywhere on the body, the specific one related to running is that of the plantar fibroma. Not to be confused with plantar fasciitis (a sports-induced injury that involves the foot’s shape structure), plantar fibroma is a knot that develops on the plantar fascia, or the bottom of the foot.
Via: Pinterest.com
Typically, plantar fibroma is caused by having tight muscles, whether in the calves, Achilles heel, or in the foot itself. Similar to plantar fasciitis, it can be induced through having low arches (i.e. flat feet), family history, or even wearing a wrong pair of shoes.
Symptoms include not only tight muscles, but also pain when walking, as well as discomfort when getting up first thing in the morning. Granted, it is not pleasant at all, as having plantar fibroma can really dampen your day-to-day activities while being out and about at home or at work.
To learn more about plantar fibroma, check out this article here.
4. Is fibroma harmful?
Although fibromas are tumors, the large majority of them are often harmless. The only issue would be that they are unaesthetically-pleasing, as well as cause discomfort should it be on a part of your body that you tend to use often (e.g. feet, arms, mouth).
That said, you do not have to worry about fibroma being cancerous. However, it also would not hurt to pay a visit to the doctor for a checkup from time to time, in order to ensure that things have not changed since the last time you went.
5. How can I get rid of fibromas?
Granted, even though fibromas are not harmful to the body, they are nevertheless a nuisance to some people, especially if they appear on noticeable parts of the body (e.g. face, arms, legs). Hence, you might be looking for ways to get rid of them for good. Here are some tips and tricks to do away with them, whether at home or not:
- Use apple cider vinegar. A DIY method, using this mildly-acidic product can be easily done within the comforts of your home. Soak the fibroma in water first before applying the apple cider vinegar to the region using a cotton ball.
Continue to apply the ingredient several times a day until you start to notice it turning darker and eventually falling off. The whole process might take up to seven days to work.
- Massage the area. Especially if you have plantar fibroma, you can get rid of it by rolling it out either with a tennis ball or a foam roller. Applying pressure to the region, as well as stretching it out often, can help break down the tight, rolled-up tissues that make up of the fibroma.
- If necessary, consider physical therapy. If you do not mind paying some money for professional help, then you can turn to a physical therapist who can help you stretch out your muscles and also teach you strengthening workouts to train the area as means of preventing fibromas in the future.
Conclusion
Altogether, fibromas are harmless tumors that are unexpected and unpleasant to your body. Luckily, they can be easily treated with some effort and attention to them. Soon enough, they will go away and you can be relieved that it is one less thing to worry about on your body.
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