What do different types of hernia look like?

Umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernias happen when some of the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscles into the belly button. They are common in infants.

Appearance and symptoms

People with umbilical hernias may notice:

• a soft bulge on or around the belly button
• tenderness and discoloration for bulges that a person cannot push back into the abdomen

Umbilical hernias oftenTrusted Source cause no symptoms. However, some people may experience slight pain at the hernia site.

Umbilical hernias are not generally serious. They may be so small that a person is unaware they have one.

Treatment options

Umbilical hernias that are small and painless do not requireTrusted Source surgical treatment. However, umbilical hernias that cause symptoms or grow in size may require surgery.

Many infant umbilical hernias resolve on their own by the age of 2 years.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia happens when part of the stomach or other abdominal tissue slides up into the middle of the chest through the hiatus. The hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm, the muscular wall separating the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Appearance and symptoms

Hiatal hernias have no outward appearance. They are only visible through an X-ray or other imaging, such as an endoscopy or barium swallow.

MostTrusted Source hiatal hernias do not cause symptoms. However, some people may experience the following:

• vague abdominal discomfort
• heartburn or reflux
• pain with eating or swallowing

Treatment options

If a hiatal hernia is not causing symptoms, it may notTrusted Source require treatment. For large hernias or severe cases of uncontrolled reflux or pain, surgery may be necessary.

Managing hiatal hernias may involve addressing the associated symptoms, such as changing dietary or lifestyle habits to manage heartburn or reflux.

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias are relatively commonTrusted Source. They occur when fatty tissue or a small loop of the intestine bulges out through the inguinal canal into the groin.

It can occur at birth, but potential risk factors in adults include heavy lifting and being constipated.

Appearance and symptoms

The hernia will look like a bulge or bump in the scrotum or groin region. Standing, lifting, or coughing may make the bulge more noticeable.

A 2018 article suggests that around 1 in 3 people will have no or minimal symptoms. However, symptoms may include:

• swelling
• a heavy or tugging sensation in the hernia’s location
• pain or discomfort with coughing, exercising, or going to the bathroom

If pain occurs, it may worsen throughout the day and improve when a person is lying down.

Treatment options

The only cureTrusted Source for an inguinal hernia is surgery. Since the risk of hernia-related emergencies is low, a doctor may suggest waiting for treatment until symptoms develop.

Femoral hernia

Femoral hernias represent about 3%Trusted Source of all groin hernias. They are a more serious type of hernia that occurs when tissue or part of the bowel slides through a weak muscle wall into the femoral canal at the top of the inner thigh or groin.

Appearance and symptoms

A femoral hernia looks like a lump in the groin area. Smaller ones are not always visible. Large hernias in this region are more easily noticeable as a bulge close to the upper thigh in the groin area or just in front of the hip.

There may be flushed skin around the hernia. The area may also be painful.

The pain may only affect the upper thigh, but it can affect the whole abdomen and sometimes even the hip. It can feel dull, sharp, or throbbing.

Treatment options

A person who develops a new lump or bump in the groin or inner thigh area should consult a doctor.

The treatment for femoral hernia is alwaysTrusted Source surgery.

Epigastric hernia

Epigastric hernias are one of the most common hernias to affect the abdominal wall. Typically, they are not serious. They occur between the lower part of the rib cage and the belly button.

These types of hernias typically contain fatty tissue rather than part of the bowel.

Appearance and symptoms

Most epigastric hernias cause no symptoms.

An epigastric hernia appears as a slight bulge. It may become more noticeable when a person is straining the abdominal muscles while exercising or lifting heavy objects. The bulge may disappear after a person relaxes the muscles or lies down.

Epigastric hernias can appear during imaging tests for other medical conditions.

Treatment options

Epigastric hernias may need surgery if they are causing discomfort. However, a small epigastric hernia causing no symptoms may not require any treatment.

Incisional hernia

Incisional hernias can occur in 10% to 15% of people who have abdominal surgery. This type of hernia may develop immediately or months to years after the surgery.

Appearance or symptoms

A person with an incisional hernia may notice:

• a bulge or swelling at or near the site of the surgical incision
• hernia growth after coughing and straining of any kind

People may also have tenderness or a feeling of pressure at the incision site or pain that worsens with coughing or straining.

Treatment options

In most casesTrusted Source, surgery is the best treatment option for incisional hernias. However, if the symptoms are not severe or the hernia is small, a person may be able to manage incisional hernias with watchful waiting.

Spigelian hernia

A spigelian hernia is a rareTrusted Source type of hernia. It happensTrusted Source along the line where the rectus abdominus muscle meets the internal oblique muscle.

People who have been pregnant have a higher risk of this hernia since pregnancy can cause increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Appearance and symptoms

A spigelian hernia may appearTrusted Source as a painless bulge in the abdominal wall. They are typically asymptomatic.

Some people may experience pain at the site of the hernia and difficulty going to the bathroom. However, this may indicate that the hernia is incarcerated and needs immediate medical attention.

Treatment options

Most doctorsTrusted Source will recommend surgery to treat a spigelian hernia.

Muscle hernia

Muscle hernias are rare. They happen when the muscle pokes through its lining.

Appearance and symptoms

Muscle hernias often occur between the knee and the ankle. They can appear as one or multiple lumps.

Some muscle hernias are asymptomatic. However, some people may notice:

• swelling in the muscle of the belly or leg
• pain, cramps, or numbness at the site of the swelling

Treatment options

If a muscle hernia happens due to trauma or injury, it may go away on its own. Some people may find that rest and compressions can help recovery.

If the hernia is recurring or congenital, meaning a person has it from birth, doctors may recommend surgery.

When to contact a doctor

Hernias oftenTrusted Source require surgery to completely remove them. In many cases, they are not serious, and some may improve by themselves.

However, a person should seek emergency treatment if the following symptoms occur alongside a hernia:

• severe pain
• swelling or flushed skin at the site of the hernia
• fever
• fast growth of the hernia
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• bloating

Hernias can also get bigger if a person does not seek treatment.

Strangulated hernias

If the defect that the hernia protrudes through gets smaller, a strangulated hernia can occur. This stops the bowel from receiving blood flow and requiresTrusted Source immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of a strangulated hernia may include:

• severe pain
• blood in the stool
• darker skin over the hernia
• swelling around the hernia
• tiredness
• fever
• constipation
• bloating

Summary

There are many different types of hernias. They can appear as lumps under the skin, but many are completely asymptomatic.

If a hernia causes pain, a person should seek immediate medical attention. Without treatment, they may develop infections or strangulated hernias.