With a surface area of ​​up to two square meters, the skin is the largest human organ. It protects the body from external influences and therefore has to endure a lot.

This can become visible in different ways. These include fibroids, which are also known colloquially as “stem warts” because they often protrude clearly from the skin – but the name is misleading, because they are actually not real warts.

Are these dangerous and do they need to be treated? We answer your questions on the topic.

Fibromas are new growths of connective tissue involving cells called fibrocytes. These are benign tumors – fortunately they are not dangerous to health. This also applies if these occur more frequently in the case of fibromatosis, for example in the armpit area.

Doctors differentiate between different types of skin warts:

Most fibroids are of limited growth and do not grow particularly large. There are other types that also affect the bones, but these are much rarer.

Soft as well as hard fibroids are, according to Dr. Silke Hofmann, Head Physician at the Center for Dermatology and therefore do not actually need to be treated. There is also no risk for you of the skin warts developing into skin cancer.

However, the removal can still make sense if the fibroids interfere with everyday life. Cosmetic reasons are also possible if the unsightly growths appear on the face or neck. There are the following methods:

Important: Under no circumstances should you cut off or freeze fibroids yourself, even if this seems like a simple procedure. There is a risk of infection. Always speak to a dermatologist, this also applies before using commercially available fibroid patches.

Unfortunately, the statutory health insurance companies do not cover the treatment and removal of fibroids in most cases, since the procedure is not medically necessary. No costs are borne, even for cosmetic reasons.

It is only possible to assume or share in the costs if they are detrimental to health. This can be the case if the fibroma is on the eyelid and impedes blinking. But also irritable fibroids are usually removed at health insurance costs.