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.

If you were willing to stick a pin in it (sterilised obviously ) you could try then sticking (I think) magnesium sulphate on it to draw everything out.

Ok. I know you don't want a diagnosis but if you don't mind hearing me out I'd like to share my experience.......if not feel free to ignore me!!

I get these but in my groin area. I've had 2 massive ones removed (I have matching scars on each upper thigh!) but it didn't solve the problem as they just tracked to different areas. The only thing that did help was having laser hair removal which I managed to get my private insurance to cover despite it not being a recognised treatment at the time. However, it been a long time since I last checked on management recommendations and I recently applied to a new medical trial happening here in the States so it would seem that it's getting some renewed focus. For more info on the condition, google support groups for Hidradenitis suppurativa.

I have suffered from this for years - since late teens (as has most of my family) - mainly in armpit and groin area. After a few removals at docs surgery (which they won't do anymore), they referred me to a dermatologist who diagnosed hidradenitis suppurativa.

They don't know what causes it or really how to cure it - just to manage it. For me, this meant an extended period of time on low dose antibiotics, a topical antibiotic during flare-ups and daily use of hibiscrub (you can buy over counter) to wash with.

I can't use any type of deodorant any more - though tbh washing with hibiscrub means I don't really need it.

As an interim - if they are painful - use either magnesium sulphate paste (over counter) to help draw it out quickly. Or hot compresses - as hot as you can bare it.

While you're waiting for your referral - use hibiscrub to disinfect the area.

I still suffer (currently have one brewing) but much less and mainly if I am run down. Though I did have one appear when I was in Costa Rica on my face which wasn't pleasant for anyone - but doc thinks extreme humidity doesn't help.

@Herocomplex

I’m down the rabbit hole on Youtube - so many good ones...

I was going to say hidradenitis. I have it in one armpit and my groin

Sounds like hydradentis supperativa. Read up on it. I have it, hot weather makes it 5000 times worse. Some of my burst boils/abscess look like gun shot wounds and have needed packing. But there are skin washes that can help. Good luck.

Goodness me, seems I may have a name to it now! To answer various questions, I stopped using deodorant, then switched to a natural roll-on one but now haven't used any in a month or so. I'm going to look into IPL after the summer as I think it may be down to shaving.

I'll talk to my doctor again as soon as I can and see if she can confirm what exactly it is and will also talk to a dermatologist.

As it seems that I'm stuck with this one until it pops, does anyone have any pain management tips other than painkillers? Happy to pop one whenever needed, but is there anything I can do on top of that? Going to have a pretty active next 10 days with family/friends visiting and don't want to miss out on any fun!

Other than painkillers not really.

Cover it with a gauze type dressing (use micropore tape so you don't irritate the area). This also helps if you're out and about and it decides to burst. If you are going to put a dressing on, might as well use the magnesium paste to help draw it out more quickly.

I found a layer of vaseline on the top stopped it from rubbing somewhat against fabric or skin so you could try that

Sounds like hydradenitis suppuritiva.....very unpleasant for you

I was about to say sounds like hydradenitis suppurativa, which would warrant seeing a dermatologist.

Could be HS - see thread on it here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3616528-Hidradenitis-Suppuritiva-Anything-that-works

I had great success with laser hair removal.

it is kinda crazy to aggressively remove your skin's protection against infection (hair) with a sharp object, then dump chemicals on top for good measure...

I think it might help if you stopped doing that.

Try not to let people who make money from convincing you that your natural state is ugly, inform your ideas about beauty....

Oh and hibiscrub.

Yes to Hibiscrub. I have some skin issues and the GP recommended this, its been a game changer. I leave it on the affected area for 5 mins then rinse off, but be careful if your skin is very sensitive.

Thank you Merryoldgoat, that was superb!

I’d get a referral to a dermatologist. The GP isn’t an expert. If it is a cyst the AAC definitely needs to be removed. They should also culture the pus to ensure they are treating with the right antibiotic.

I had HS with a cyst under my arm pit, had to have 4yrs of packing due to where the wound was - my scar is very like the photo I am going to post.

I am happy to find this condition now has a name (27yrs ago it was just known as an abscess caused by an ingrown hair

Op get yourself to the doctors or the hospital to have it lanced or cut out.

I used to get this all the time. Each cyst usually had an ingrowing hair at the centre - is this the case for you?
After a hot shower, I would use sterile lancets and sterilised sharp tweezers to burst the cyst and then hoik the hair out. It would all go down within hours.
To solve the problem I had to stop shaving permanently. I only wax now - either at a salon or I use hot wax at home.