What is a hair follicle tumor in dogs?

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Hair follicle tumors are tumors originating in the hair follicles in a dog’s skin. While there are several types, almost all are generally benign, and the prognosis for hair follicle tumors is typically good. Vet bills can sneak up on you.

What does a hair follicle tumor look like?

A pilomatricoma, sometimes called a pilomatrixoma, is a rare, noncancerous tumor that grows in hair follicles. It looks and feels like a hard lump on your skin. It’s most common on the head and neck, but can appear anywhere on the body. It usually affects children and young adults under the age of 20.

Can a hair follicle be cancerous?

The exact cause of a hair follicle tumor is not known though it is mostly an abnormal development of the follicles. The nodules are often mistaken for cancerous mass on the skin, such as basal cell carcinoma. It develops spontaneously, though rarely it is associated with a history of trauma at the lesion site.

Are hair follicle tumors in dogs benign?

Hair follicle neoplasms occur in many different species, including humans. In domestic animals, they are most common in dogs. Most hair follicle tumors are benign, but malignant neoplasms can also occur.

How do I know if my dog’s tumor is cancerous?

What are the 10 Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs?

Lumps and bumps underneath your pet’s skin.
Abnormal odours from the mouth, ears, or other parts of your dog’s body.
Non-healing wounds or sores.
Loss of appetite or weight loss.
Coughing or difficult breathing.
Increased drinking or frequency of urinating.

Which type of tumor occurs in hair follicles?

What does pilomatricoma look like?

A small, hard lump beneath the skin, usually on the face or neck. The skin covering the lump looks normal or may have a blue hue. The mass is usually painless, unless it becomes infected.

Can hair grow out of a cancerous mole?

It’s a popular myth that hairy moles are often cancerous, but that’s all it is: a myth. In fact, the presence of a hair growing out of a mole may indicate that the spot is actually healthy and noncancerous.

What is a hair follicle tumor?

Pilomatricoma, also known as pilomatrixoma, is a type of noncancerous (benign) skin tumor associated with hair follicles. Hair follicles are specialized structures in the skin where hair growth occurs. Pilomatricomas occur most often on the head or neck, although they can also be found on the arms, torso, or legs.

How do you treat an infected hair follicle on a dog?

Topical medications include antimicrobial shampoo, creams, ointments, and sprays that may be combined with oral antibiotics for a lengthy treatment course to fully eradicate the bacterial infection. Fungal folliculitis — Fungal folliculitis treatment may include topical medications and medicated shampoos.