Lumps in arm pits

[Daisypops]

Hi everyone, I've had small pea-sized lumps under my arm pits off and on since April. I've just spoken to the doctor whos asked me to go see him but it turns out the 1st time I went to the doctors with these lumps was on April which is when I fell pregnant. Does anyone know if they could be anything to do with my pregnany. I've read that they can be lymph nodes that come up to fight infection, but I don't think I have an infection. They are under the skin, VERY sore and can make my skin red. Can anyone shed any light or is it nothing to do with pregnancy? Thanks x

I get these, also at the top of my thighs, my mum gets them too, never been to the gp, I have always assumed my body is producing to much of something, they started when I was pregnant with ds, got worse when I was pregnant with dts, and I still get them now 3 years later, so maybe it is something to do with pregnancy.

Hi these lumps sound like a condition called hydradenitis suppurativa. It basically a glandular problem that causes boil type lesions to form under the skin. They tend to be hard swollen and very sore. Sometimes they will discharge and settle but often remain as hard lumps. Some GPs will treat it with long term antibiotics and/or steroid treatment others will see how it goes.
You'd be best to get it checked anyway to make sure of what the problem is.

Thanks LaylaandSethsmum, just checked out that condition on the web, and am pretty sure thats what it is, I am never free of them, I have about 8 that come and go, and one in my armpit that has been there for at least 18 months.

Thanks. This sounds like what I've got too. Will get them checked first though as they are so sore and I've had about 8 since April.

i have the same it came up saturday it was very very sore,its still there.i went to the doc the other day and said that it is a gland thing that is coursed by shaving

Last time I went to docs she had a right poke about in my arm pit its so embarassing. I thought it could be ingrowing hairs or perspiration (not that I'm sweaty ofcourse!)

I have a recurring one that can alternate between being no problem and absolute agony - my GP says its a skin cyst that sometimes gets infected. But getting it checked out gave me peace of mind...

I have severe hydradenitis, mainly in my groin area. It is a nasty condition, I have suffered with this for 13 years and as yet have still to find a treatment that helps.

Trasnslated, the name basically means erupting boils and as it is classed as an orphan disease very little money is directed towards reasearch

If this condition is suspected then the first course of action is usually long term anti-biotics. Generally beginning with erythromicin moving through the scale to roacutane. These are usually prescribed for 12 month periods. Along with this the contraceptive pill may be given, one containing anti androgens.

Ask for a referal to a dermatolagist, s/he will diagnose you. What you have sounds like cysts but i could be wrong. I currently have 3, which is my norm one of them is the about 3 inches in size.

For me it's a pain in the ass (literally sometimes lol) but i live with it and get on with things as best i can.

God, I read back what i have written. I'm sorry if i scared you, as i said at the beggining, mine is severe. And i have had it a long time, what you have does not sound like boils, but cysts.

Thanks for listening, and sorry for rambling on

generaldogsbody1

Mine are often quite large, about 2inches, and often, if I press them they feel as if there is a crater in the centre, does that sound normal? and they are'nt always round, instead they are often long, like sausage shaped.

waterfalls that sounds about riight for HS, the fact that they are sausage shaped means that the abcesses may be tracking under the skin. That means that cavities are allowing the infection to travel and become deep set.

when mine are bad i use vicks vapo rub, It may sound mad and you would think that it stings like fcuk. It won't, instant cooling and it acts as a barrier too.

Do you have any scarring too?
Do they come up with big black heads after a while?

My doc is now sugesting surgery for worst affected areas

Yep quite alot of acarring, my bikini days are over thats for sure, they dont go black, but a deep red, have had 2 on my belly in the last week, never had them there befor.

And it hurts like hell when I have tight trousers on and I sit down too quick or twist on the chair.

Thanks for the tip on vicks vapo rub

I will start a new thread in health, it is surprisingly common but undiagnosed.

So much for it being an orphan disease

Would be interesting to know how many on MN have this.

ok, do you know if it is hereditery (sp) as my mum suffers from this too.

I'm not sure if it's hereditary, but i'm sure it runs in familys. It could be a coincidence as it effects more females than males. It has been related to acne, hormones and many more 'things'

Well, I went to the doctors yesterday and he said it was an infection. Could this mean HS? He said he would normally prescribe antibiotics but couldn't as I'm pregnant. If they're as frequent after my bubs is born he said antibiotic are the next step. They are sooo painful when they are here I just have to lift my arm and I know one is developing! Still its strangely reassuring to know I'm not the only one. x

waterfalls, my GP said that skin cysts are hereditary. HTH

I used to get hideous boils in (ahem) groin area, my GP said it was folliculitis - is that different?

PretendFriend

I think thats an infection in the hair folicles, caused by shaving etc.

I have suffered with 'boils' for years at the tops of my legs and in more recent years under my arms. Sometimes I drain them myself as it helps to relieve them. Really reassuring to know that I'm not the only one!!

Doctor did try to give me antibiotics before but I ended up getting thrush from them lol!! Have given up but I do try to avoid tights and certain knickers as they can sometimes trigger them and sometimes bra's with wires depending on where the wire ends...