“Lump under armpits”
Hello. I have hyperhidrosis. Not officially diagnosed but I've been sweating a lot under the armpits at the age of 12(Im now 37) has decreased significantly but via google a long time ago figured that's what it was. So every now and then I get lumps under my arms that are painful and sometimes fill with puss. I've been prescribed antibiotics and they'll go away. Recently I've had one develop under each arm. They are slightly going away with antibiotic use but not much. Im down to one and a half pills. What can I do to make them go away as I do not want to keep taking them as it's also causing vaginal discomfort.
Female | 37 years old
Complaint duration: 8 days
Medications: Bactrim
3 Answers
You may have a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa which causes painful lumps and nodules in the underarms, groin, or buttocks. Topical washes such as benzoyl peroxide (found in acne aisle) and topical antibiotics may help to reduce the number of flares. Bleach baths can also be helpful twice a week (1/2 cup of bleach in full tub of water) to keep bacterial colonization down. Avoiding smoking tobacco and weight loss are also helpful to reduce the severity of flares. The issue with antibiotics is that you can develop candidal (yeast) infections especially vaginal. Probiotics and topical or oral therapies for the yeast infection will make it more tolerable.
With your hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) if you are using irritating antiperspirants sometimes you'll want to get that under control in other ways. It's possible you could have a bacterial infection caused by staph which happens when the skin gets irritated. A board certified dermatologist can help you manage both conditions.
With your hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) if you are using irritating antiperspirants sometimes you'll want to get that under control in other ways. It's possible you could have a bacterial infection caused by staph which happens when the skin gets irritated. A board certified dermatologist can help you manage both conditions.
This sounds like hidradenitis superativa. You need to be seen by your dermatologist. There are other treatments available to you beside oral antibiotics.
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD
Consult a specialist. Acupuncture can also help.
