To please ask advice for my cyst!!

[Blackbird1234]

I realise that this is a bit of a strange one and I am posting in AIBU purely for traffic, as it's a little urgent and slightly TMI.

For the past couple of years I've been getting cysts under my armpits - I've seen the doctor about it and it's quite unavoidable and could be down to a number of things (i.e shaving, ingrown hair, deodorant etc) and literally the only thing I can do is to just let it do its thing, rather than get it treated. I've taken antibiotics for it in the past to stop it in its tracks, but don't want to keep doing this.

It gets bigger and bigger and more and more painful until it eventually (TMI) bursts and the puss is released and it doesn't hurt anymore.

I've basically started this thread to see if anyone has also experienced these and if so, is there anything I can do to stop it? I've got one brewing now and I'm applying a disinfectant that my doctor gave me, am not touching it and am applying a hot compress every couple of hours. I have family/friends coming to stay tomorrow and I just really don't want to be in pain/inactive for the entire time.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

P.S: As mentioned, I've been to the doctor previously with this issue, so I'd appreciate it if no one could "diagnose" me etc, thank you.

You need to let the hair grow for a long time. See if you still get them. Switch to a deodorant like Nuud that isnt pore clogging. I used to get them as a young adult and they were a reaction to spray deodorants.

Oh you poor thing. I used to get these in my twenties, though only occasionally. I found using deodorant rather than anti-perspirant helped. I also grew my underarm hair and then had IPL laser treatment on it. Haven’t had anything like it in years now. It was expensive but worth it.

Tallgreenbottle Thanks, I've actually already tried that this winter to no avail. I switched to an all-natural deo but have not actually been using any at all this past month, as I developed a rash on my armpit that needed to be cleaned regularly anyway.

Any time I shave, it's very carefully and with a brand new disposable razor so as not to irritate it too much.

Did you ever discover any tips to stop the cyst in its tracks? I'm 24 if that's relevant at all.

I have these —whooping big— little cysts on the inside of my thighs and I’ve got no idea what to do about it! Watching your thread with interest!

Is it the same cyst coming back?

Kloluchar I'm in my 20s and feel like it's never-ending, they're so painful and uncomfortable :( ! I'm actually looking into IPL at the end of the summer as I just can't be doing with these cysts anymore. I'd try re-growing my hair, but it's 30+ degrees all summer where I am, so I'd look a bit strange and will wait for that one haha. Any other tips for me? Even if it's just to get the discomfort away?

Is there a sack in there that keeps refilling? Removing the sack might be the way to stop it ultimately if it’s the same cyst every time?

Neckercheiftheif Goodness, I couldn't imagine having them on my thighs, I feel very sorry for you and hope some of the things on this thread will help you too!

Merryoldgoat No clue, I've had a couple on one armpit and only one on the other, I even had 2 going at the same time last year.

To top it off, I have a yeast rash on my armpit as well so I'm fighting two battles currently and a rash doesn't particularly go with my summer wardrobe!

What Pottering said.

It’s needs excision. The sack will keep shedding into itself and refill and breakdown and burst.

Go on YouTube and look at Dr Pimple Popper excising a cyst.

Lovely.

Sorry, I don’t have anything other than tea tree oil and hot compresses, both of which you’re aware of (your doc’s stuff is bound to be better)

I know the advice is not to pop them and I do understand why but really when they popped was the only relief I got. Once that pressure was gone, they were just sore (rather than excruciating). I just used to apply hot flannels until the skin broke if its own accord. The relief was amazing. Sometimes the spot/cyst was different and didn’t seem to have any puss in and were just red and angry and these were the worst.

One thing I will say, do keep going back to your doctors and try to get a referral to a dermatologist. Your GP can only help you to a point.

I have had these for four decades now and know of absolutely nothing to stop them from reaching their natural conclusion. Sorry.

I’m not diagnosing, but mine have been described as sebaceous cysts.

For future, ask your doctor for a referral to have the cyst removed when it’s “cold” (not active). It shouldn’t be a problem as it’s the same cyst growing in the same place. If you have private insurance, bonus.

Perhaps try hot compress three times a day to see if you can draw it out early, 10-15 minutes each time. I read that online for ingrown hair cysts, it might help.

PotteringAlong MerryOldGoat I'm not sure, I would assume that there is as it's always pretty much in the same place. I will look into getting it removed although I think that involves surgery? But that will need to be at the end of summer, so not viable for right now.

Klobuchar I may get some hot water and mix it with a bit of tea tree oil and continue applying it throughout the day. It's nowhere near as big as previous ones have been, but sometimes they get to the size of a ping pong ball! I certainly remember the relief of them popping, I actually cried the first time cause the relief was instant. Do you think that I'll just have to go through that then? I managed to avoid one once with constant hot compresses and disinfectant, but it started off a lot smaller so I don't know if it's too late for this one. I will ask for a dermatologist's opinion, it's just getting too frequent to ignore now, thank you!

ShagMeRiggins That's certainly disappointing to read but I figured it was the case to be honest. I think I was hoping for some miracle cure! I didn't know about removing it when it's "cold", so I'll ask my doctor about that, thanks! I'll get started with the hot compresses now and hope it pops in a couple of days :(

I think you do ened them removing properly OP. Or a referral to a dermatologist not just your GP. GPs are gate keepers, they're not specialists.

It’s a straightforward procedure under local anaesthetic.

It sounds very much like the sac keeps refilling. It won’t ever go without excision.

For now - definitely the hottest compress you can cope with. If you can identify the "head" of the cyst then focus the compress there (you will be able to feel the heat less on that part so can have it hotter) and it should eventually burst and give you some relief. Also regular painkillers and lots of water.

Long term - what helped me was keeping shaving to an absolute minimum and keeping deodorant/anti perspirant to an absolute minimum too - I rarely wear it in winter unless I know I will be in a hot place/rushing around and summer only if I know I will be out for extended periods of time (I am probably quite lucky in that I don't sweat/smell very much as a general rule - family and DH have confirmed!). You can also get antimicrobial skin wash and moisturiser (not sure if this needs to be on prescription - it's called Dermol). Keep going back to your GP.

You’re welcome and I hope you find some relief soon.

These sound like boils or pimples rather than inflamed cysts, so excising might not be possible. It also doesn’t sound like it’s the same thing refilling and coming back, but separate infections. Do get that referral. A dermatologist’s plan of action on how to deal with this will be invaluable.

Warning! Gribbly content!

I am so not clicking on that link.

Thanks everyone, I'll be going back to the doctor and getting a referral in order to see what these things really are and what I can do about them. I've noted down all of the tips and have a hot compress on as I type!

Merryoldgoat Thanks, but I can't bear to click on that

You’re missing out.

My husband gets these if he uses roll on deodorant any make or brand, they are really painful for him and ease once it drains out.
He just uses spray deodorant now and he doesn't get them.

Do you use roll on or spray, or do you get them no matter what you use ?

God merryoldgoat that was amazing

I had one under my arm that got a bit big and possibly infected & had to be removed surgically. If I'd got it now I would just have burst it myself with a pin! No real ideas but instead of shaving try using an epilator instead so you don't risk any ingrowing hairs making it worse or irritation.

Cysts have a sac around them and if this is not removed, it will constantly refill and come back. Draining the pus out is not enough, the sac needs to be removed.

It's a very simple operation, done under a local anaesthetic and takes 5-10 mins. Ask for a referral to a dermatologist.