DH sore red lumps under armpits and on nipple

[Moppincraxy]

DH has had sore red lumps under his armpits for about a month. Went to the GP who wasn't worried but has booked some non-urgent blood tests for about 3/4 weeks time.

He's now got a swollen area next to his nipple which is also red and very sore. It's like one of those big painful spots under the skin. I'm trying to persuade him to go back to the GP for another look.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what it could be? Will try to add a photo.

This is the swollen area near the nipple. The lumps under the arms look similar. Like spots under the skin. GP said is not fungal or ingrown hairs.

Infected follicles. Use a medicated wash to see if they resolve. Does he run or bike?

He does run and also use a rowing machine. I thought it might be something like that too but he said the GP said it wasn't a skin condition. What kind of medicated wash would you suggest? He uses bar soap at the moment and has also tried skin scrubs and exfoliating.

Abscess? Try mag sulphate to draw it out.

Get thee over to sporner’s corner they’ll see him right.

I've offered to squeeze but he says it's too painful to touch (wimp).

Hibiscrub is good for this sort of thing. You can order it on Amazon.

@Moppincraxy

He does run and also use a rowing machine. I thought it might be something like that too but he said the GP said it wasn't a skin condition. What kind of medicated wash would you suggest? He uses bar soap at the moment and has also tried skin scrubs and exfoliating.

I get similar. Intensely sore but tiny. I use neutrogena or any medicated wash might work. I think its post exercise bacteria hence my Q. Bar soap could be holding bacteria so I would wash with medicated as soon after exercise as I could.

Thanks I'll try this. It makes sense to me that it's a skin condition as it's right under the skin. The GP said it wasn't a skin condition but didn't know what it was.

I'll try to get him to use some hibiscrub as I happen to have some knocking about.

Pseudomonas. Google it. It looks very like it to me

@Moppincraxy

I've offered to squeeze but he says it's too painful to touch (wimp).

Please do not squeeze it. It looks like an abscess or cyst and squeezing it has a high risk of pushing infection further down and worsening it. It will not make it better.

I have a condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa which this looks and sounds like it could be too. I would recommend getting a dermatologist appointment if possible as it took me a long time to get diagnosed and GPs were clueless.

HS is a disorder of the hair follicles and thus is specific to areas with hair like armpits. If it does turn out to be, then your DH is far from a wimp as these abscesses are extremely painful.

To ease pain and swelling, use clean, dry, hot compresses and Epsom salt baths. Hibiscrub is also a very good suggestion for keeping the skin clean. If it continues to swell, hurt or redden then he’ll need antibiotics.

Best of luck with it! Hoping you guys get some answers and relief soon.

I would just find an antibacterial face wash like the stuff for teenagers with zits and see what that does. It used to work wonders on my back spots which were caused by sweating. Hibiscrub is very harsh.

HShopeful me too!
It's such a rotten condition to have to live with and manage.
I feel like I love my life lurching from flare up to flare up.
It's really quite debilitating and incredibly excruciating at times 😞

@drivinmecrazy it really is, isn’t it. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Sending strength to you

If you ever want someone to talk to about it, drop me a DM x

Hydradenitis Suppurativa looks very similar, thanks. Is it unusual for the GP not to know about this? I'm wondering if it's worth calling them again and asking for a referral to dermatology (we have insurance so would be quick) rather than wait another few weeks for blood tests.
In the meantime I'll try hibiscrub and loose clothing and see if that helps.

@Moppincraxy not unusual in my experience. Two GPs I saw didn’t know what it was. I guess they don’t see it all that often. I think a dermatology referral will be your best bet. GL!

Shingles??

It does sound like it could be HS. He does need to be referred to a specialist derm or HS clinic.