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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being dramatic about lump in arm pit?

26 replies

MackEndSea · 18/12/2023 20:08

yesterday I noticed my arm pit felt a bit sore, almost like when you have a ingrowing hair. Felt around, nothing to see or feel.

today - still sore but now there is a tiny lump, almost pea sized but not quite. Slight redness too but very faint.

AIBU to be researching lymphoma symptoms and wanting to book a gp appointment asap? DH has had a look, said he can barely feel anything and that I’m being dramatic.

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 18/12/2023 20:13

Do you shave your underarms? It's probably an ingrown hair or an infected follicle.

KentishMama · 18/12/2023 20:13

I don't think you are being dramatic, but please speak to your GP about a referral to a breast clinic too.

Ilovepotato · 18/12/2023 20:15

Not dramatic at all. Always better to get these things checked out, but because it’s red and sore it’s very likely it’s an infected hair follicle. I’ve had this a few times. VERY uncomfortable. Maybe try gently pressing around it in the shower and see if it gives way! 😌

CandyLeBonBon · 18/12/2023 20:15

Very likely to be absolutely nothing to worry about but everybody has their 'what if' moments.

Occam's razor suggests the mist likely reality is the simplest - ingrown hair or hands swollen as a result of infection. See how it is in a few days and try not carastrophize.

CandyLeBonBon · 18/12/2023 20:16

Glands not hands!

SilkFloss · 18/12/2023 20:16

I've had this before. Infected cyst. It felt like a (painful) pea under the surface of the skin.
Quick off the mark with antibiotics and it was sorted. Once, I left it too late and ended up having to have it removed surgically.

PrawnLiberationFront · 18/12/2023 20:17

It's most likely nothing but better to check

Tandora · 18/12/2023 20:17

You are right to get checked out but from what you describe it is v unlikely to be anything sinister

kimchio · 18/12/2023 20:18

I think you should get off Google and book an appointment with your GP when they open tomorrow just to get it checked out. It most likely is nothing but then it always is most likely nothing apart from when it is something

OceanicBoundlessness · 18/12/2023 20:19

Might you be a bit run down? We have lymph nodes under our arms and it's likely to be that. I often get a little lump there of I'm fighting something off.
If you go for some walks it will help the lymph to flow and I'd have some extra vitamin c too.
If it doesn't clear up in a few days I would get it checked out though with Christmas it might be worth getting the ball rolling on a GP appointment now.

Beenhereforever1978 · 18/12/2023 20:21

No you're not.

My best friend has just beaten a second bout of breast cancer, first one was in her very early 30s.

She would hit me round the head with a frying pan (and she would be right to do so) if I said anything other than "get it checked out".

When DH qualifies as a medical professional he can have an opinion. Get it checked

bellac11 · 18/12/2023 20:21

I used to get these constantly until peri menopause, so painful, I used to squeeze them all the time, they were a bit bloody, bit pus'y at times

Since peri, never see them in my arm pit

Onceuponaheartache · 18/12/2023 20:21

Yabu to jump to the conclusion that it is cancer, chances are it is a blocked hair follicle.

But yanbu to get it checked out. Just because the chances are low doesn't mean they are zero.

Comedycook · 18/12/2023 20:24

I had this year's and years ago... doctor said it was an infected hair follicle or something like that...like I said it was ages ago. You should get it checked out obviously but I don't think you need to be panicking and driving yourself crazy with an armchair diagnosis

NotToYou · 18/12/2023 20:37

I get these fairly regularly, kind of like a hormonal spot but in the armpit, red and sore. Get it checked out if it's not gone in a day or two though.

curtaintwitcher78 · 18/12/2023 20:40

Do you use a strong antiperspirant? My lump was caused by a blockage from using Mitchum antiperspirant every day. My GP said I was totally right to get it checked out, so you should, but I hope I can ease your mind by saying it's not always what you think.

Xiaoxiong · 18/12/2023 20:43

I was going to suggest the same as @curtaintwitcher78 - used to get these regularly when I used antiperspirant. If I put a hot cloth on it, it would soften enough to squeeze it and white deodorant gunk would come out. Switched to natural deodorants (Wild works best for me) and it never happened again!

Xiaoxiong · 18/12/2023 20:44

(But doesn't hurt to get it checked out(

Firefly993 · 18/12/2023 20:55

Get it checked. I had a lump under arm. Turns out it was fatty tissue, had a proper name which I can't remember. Gp was unsure so I went for a full breast check. Its very probably nothing, don't panic but get it checked

Original poster
MackEndSea · 18/12/2023 21:04

Thanks everyone. There is nothing to squeeze, the lump is very far under the skin and not visible (can only just feel it if I stretch my arm in a certain way)

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 18/12/2023 21:17

It sounds like lymph node. Make an appointment to get it checked.

Crishell · 18/12/2023 21:21

I've had this before and been worried for similar reasons.

Difference for me is I've had mine for many years now. Doesn't seem to be changing in size etc.
So I'm not worried.

Freakoutb4dinner · 18/12/2023 23:17

Following as I posted something very similar on Saturday.

When I first noticed it, it was 'just' a painless lump shaped like a pea.

Of course I messed around with it trying to see if it was an ingrown hair or something I could pop..

Today it bloody hurts and is surrounded by a red patch. I've gone from worrying about breast cancer to bloody cellulitis 🙄

Definitely see your GP. I'm going to try for an appointment tomorrow.

SleepyRich · 18/12/2023 23:58

Definitely make an appointment just get it checked. There are lots of non-serious causes of lumps with the vast majority either a bit of fatty tissue or a lymph node that settles again, but in the small chance it's something there's no reason not to.