Groin
Groin lump
A lump in the groin — most often a swollen gland, a hernia, a cyst or an inflamed hair follicle or skin gland — which is frequently harmless, but which, when tender and irreducible with tummy pain and vomiting, can mean a trapped hernia that is a surgical emergency.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of groin lump and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is groin lump?
A lump in the groin is a common finding and has several causes, some trivial and a few serious. Swollen lymph glands in the groin commonly arise when the body is fighting an infection in the leg, foot or genital area, or as part of a wider illness, and these tend to be tender and to settle as the infection clears.
- Get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E for a tender groin lump you cannot push back in, with tummy pain, vomiting and feeling unwell — this can mean a trapped hernia. Seek urgent same-day help for a hot, red, spreading, very painful groin swelling with fever.
- Self-care: For a groin lump that a clinician has confirmed is a harmless swollen gland or a settling skin lump, gentle care is usually all that is needed: keep the area clean and dry, avoid squeezing or picking at boils, and apply a warm compress to a tender boil to help it settle.
About groin lump
A lump in the groin is a common finding and has several causes, some trivial and a few serious. Swollen lymph glands in the groin commonly arise when the body is fighting an infection in the leg, foot or genital area, or as part of a wider illness, and these tend to be tender and to settle as the infection clears. A soft swelling that appears on standing or straining and disappears on lying down is typically a hernia, where tissue pushes through a weak point in the abdominal wall. Inflamed hair follicles, boils and a recurrent skin condition affecting the groin folds can all cause painful lumps, and harmless cysts are common too. The crucial situation to recognise is a hernia that becomes trapped: a tender groin lump you cannot push back in, especially with tummy pain, vomiting and feeling unwell, can mean the blood supply is being cut off and is a surgical emergency. A hard, fixed, painless lump should also always be checked.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if groin lump comes with any of these warning signs:
- Call 999 or go to A&E for a tender groin lump you cannot push back in, with tummy pain, vomiting and feeling unwell — this can mean a trapped hernia.
- Seek urgent same-day help for a hot, red, spreading, very painful groin swelling with fever.
- Seek an urgent check for a hard, fixed, painless lump, or any lump that is steadily growing.
- Seek urgent help for a groin lump with severe testicular pain and swelling.
- Seek urgent help for a groin lump with unexplained weight loss, night sweats or widespread swollen glands.
When to see a doctor
Treat a tender groin lump that you cannot push back in, with tummy pain and vomiting, as a surgical emergency and call 999 or go to A&E, as this can mean a trapped hernia. Seek urgent same-day help for a hot, red, spreading, painful swelling with fever. Have any hard, fixed or painless lump, or one that is steadily growing, checked promptly. For a soft lump that comes and goes with standing, or a tender gland during an infection, book a routine appointment so the cause can be confirmed.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of groin lump
Groin lump has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
For a groin lump that a clinician has confirmed is a harmless swollen gland or a settling skin lump, gentle care is usually all that is needed: keep the area clean and dry, avoid squeezing or picking at boils, and apply a warm compress to a tender boil to help it settle. Swollen glands from an infection generally shrink as the underlying infection clears, so treating the original problem is the key. Loose, breathable clothing reduces friction and sweating in the groin folds, which can aggravate recurrent skin lumps. Do not attempt to push back a lump you think might be a hernia. Keep a note of any change in size, tenderness or colour, and seek prompt help if the lump becomes very painful, hard or fixed, or if you develop tummy pain and vomiting.
Answers
Groin lump: frequently asked questions
When is a groin lump an emergency?
A tender groin lump you cannot push back in, especially with tummy pain, vomiting and feeling unwell, can mean a trapped hernia where the blood supply is being cut off. This is a surgical emergency — call 999 or go to A&E.
What causes a swollen gland in the groin?
Lymph glands in the groin commonly swell when the body fights an infection in the leg, foot or genital area, or as part of a wider illness. These are often tender and settle as the infection clears, but persistent or hard lumps should be checked.
Could my groin lump be a hernia?
Possibly. A soft swelling that appears on standing, coughing or straining and disappears on lying down is typically a hernia. It should be assessed, and you should not try to push it back if it becomes painful or stuck.
Should I worry about a painless groin lump?
A hard, fixed, painless lump, or any lump that is steadily growing, should always be checked, even if it does not hurt. Most groin lumps are harmless, but a clinician should confirm the cause rather than assuming it is nothing.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Groin lumps and swellings.
- Royal College of Surgeons: hernia information.
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