Question: Hi, I've got dark pigmentation on both sides of my cheeks, and only at the bottom area. I'm not able to say how it came about. Plus, on the left bottom side of my cheek (near to my mouth) at the said pigmented area, there is a dark raised lump about 2 inches in length. Although not very noticeable, it has bothered me. The raised lump is dark and soft to the touch. It is not mobile, and I am not sure if there is anything underneath causing the area to raise up. Can you explain what is causing this lump and how can I go about to get rid of it?

Hi Doctor,

Thank you for your reply. Really appreciate. I feel relieved now after knowing it is not something life-threatening like skin cancer.

But, I've got a few follow-up questions with regards to your reply. First, I would like to say that you are quite right about acne. Previously I've had bunches of acne at the site of the lump. After it was healed, there were a dark spot on it, caused by all those healed acne. I thought I could try a natural remedy, so I mixed lime with water and applied the lime water to the spot. Sometimes I applied it vigorously, at other times, gently. But then, I did not weaken the lime solution with more water. Mostly, I used lime juice itself with a little bit of water. I tried it for a week. There were no results, but then, about a day later, the dark spot raised up and it became some sort of a lump. I guess it was my skin's reaction with the lime.

It has been a few months since I used the lime water, but the lump remained. It got me worried then. Could a reaction lasts that long?

Anyway, if it was true the lump was caused by a reaction to lime, what would a dermatologist do to it? What kind of procedures will he perform?

I look forward to your reply. Thank you doctor.