Bultas

Bultas is a term found in Filipino (Tagalog) usage that refers to a lump, bump, or swelling on the body. It is commonly used to describe raised areas that appear after an injury, insect bites, infection, or inflammation, as well as larger skin swellings or contusions. In everyday speech, people may refer to a bultas when describing their appearance or symptoms after an impact or irritant.

In medical contexts, bultas can denote a physical lump or swelling whose characteristics—such as size, texture, and tenderness—help guide assessment and treatment. While lay speakers may use the word broadly for any raised area, healthcare professionals distinguish between types of lesions, including contusions (bruises), hematomas (blood pooling beneath the skin), and inflammatory swellings, depending on cause and clinical signs. Proper evaluation is advised if a lump persists, grows, or is associated with pain, fever, or rapid changes.

The term is primarily used in Filipino-speaking regions and appears in everyday communication, popular writing, and informal education. It can also function as a general descriptor for surface irregularities or bumps, extending beyond the human body to describe lumps on objects or materials in non-technical speech. For precise terminology in clinical settings, speakers may reference more specific medical terms alongside or instead of bultas.