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If you want to see spot squeezing, popping or videos showing the removal of blackheads - this is the place for you.

Original poster

Cyst In Armpit. Really Painful. Antibiotics haven't helped. Ugh.

30 replies

CherryHug · 14/10/2021 16:46

Hi please forgive me I don't normally post here, but I am just so uncomfortable and wondered if anyone else has experience of cysts in armpit. I went to the doctor the other week with a sore lump in my arm, hurt to raise my arm was like a sharp pinching pain when I did, was told it was cysts and was given a weeks course of antibiotics which i finished a few days ago.

Today it is back again with the pinchy pain and from what I can see its pushed through the skin and really hurts, my eyes water if I have to lift it to brush hair etc, anything that involves lifting the arm in any way.

Doctors are shut till tommorow when I will call again but in the mean time I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of things to relieve it?

Photo (taken by DP) attached. Best we can get.

Today it is back wi

OP posts:
Original poster
CherryHug · 14/10/2021 16:47

Oh please forgive the hairy pits as well, obviously cannot shave it at the moment and haven't touched it since it first erupted.

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Original poster
CherryHug · 14/10/2021 16:55

bump

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2Two · 14/10/2021 23:23

Try the old favourites - mag sulph, hot baths and/or hot flannels held against it to try to bring it to a head and get it to burst.

Balonziaga · 14/10/2021 23:32

Yes got bath and mag sulph to draw it out looks really painful OP.

Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 10:22

Where do I get mag sulphate from? Pharmacy? Do I just smear it on the cyst?

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Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 10:22

Are you supposed to burst cysts? I've read it you shouldn't?

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Leftbutcameback · 15/10/2021 10:24

A hot flannel won't do any harm, either it will draw it out or at least sooth it. Poor you OP, such a sore place to have a painful lump

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/10/2021 11:04

I have one in exactly the same place. A weeks antibiotics didn’t clear it. I’m now trying a new tactic. No deodorant and a drop of tea tree oil twice a day on the cyst.

GP isn’t any good.

I’ve had mine since May. It’s up and down. I don’t think it needs to be popped as such.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/10/2021 11:05

The pain has mostly gone since the tea tree oil. I’ve been using it for a week now.

Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 12:41

I just took my jumper off to check it again as it hasn't hurt as much this morning oddly enough, discovered that it seems to have burst, sorry I didn't catch a photo before cleaning it up, lots of yellow gunk and its bleeding a little bit now. Will try and get another pic in a moment.

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Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 12:44

I can still feel a lump under the skin. Not sure why I keep getting these, I get lumps (cysts) every month odd or so, they hurt but never normally get to this point. Anyone any clues what can cause it? Feel like I can never shave my armpits again cause there always seems to be something there!

Cyst In Armpit. Really Painful. Antibiotics haven't helped. Ugh.
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olympicsrock · 15/10/2021 12:53

You have a condition called hydradenitis suppuritiva....

Theunamedcat · 15/10/2021 12:55

Magnesium sulphate is a paste and it's sticky so you will need to dress it too

Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 13:12

@olympicsrock with the greatest respect are you qualified to diagnose me over the internet?

As far as I can tell, they are only appearing in my armpits. Usually stay under the skin. I don't think I have ever had one in groin area or anywhere else.

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pookypup · 15/10/2021 13:17

Have you changed deodorant recently? I tried a different deodorant and had a flare up of cysts in my armpits. When I switched back to my usual brand they cleared up.

Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 13:18

No, been using the same one for quite some time now.

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DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/10/2021 14:45

My theory is that it’s deodorant which gets bunches up in the crease of your armpit and upsets the skin. Finds a way in and causes problems.

Once it’s caused a problem it’s hard to shift because it’s a moist, dark place.

2Two · 15/10/2021 16:18

If there's still a lump there, keep going with the hot baths and some gentle squeezing, now that it's burst. I had one like that and it kept producing gunk for a few days.

custardbear · 15/10/2021 16:26

Do you think it's linked to your cycles as its monthly ish? I wonder if your surgery could do mi or surgery if it's the same place as I think they can remove the sac so it hopefully stops coming back

Original poster
CherryHug · 15/10/2021 16:54

I would guess that @custardbear but I haven't had a period for six months (recently come off depo) and they're still flaring so not sure!

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CrystalBird · 15/10/2021 20:05

To be fair to @olympicsrock you did ask for ideas of what's causing it? I'm sure you won't take what she posted as gospel .. and she could well be right if these cysts are a regular thing

tiredanddangerous · 15/10/2021 20:10

I came on to say hidradenitis supperativa too. I. Only have it in my arm pits.

olympicsrock · 15/10/2021 21:47

Hello OP . You did ask what could be causing it. Yes I am highly qualified to make this diagnosis. Smile. Your story is classic for this condition and is very often limited to the armpits.

Original poster
CherryHug · 16/10/2021 08:19

Forgive me @olympicsrock but merely saying you are "highly qualified" means nothing over the internet, you could easily say you are a doctor.

I will mention it next time I see a GP so thanks for mentioning it, but I will take your qualifications with a pinch of salt. Thanks :)

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NotMyCat · 17/10/2021 02:13

I have HS. Mine was limited only to my groin for about 18 years and then I developed it in one armpit