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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

Armpit cyst infected

62 replies

SugarCookieMonster · 21/09/2025 17:35

I had a small pea sized cyst in my armpit that suddenly jumped in size, turned red and sore. It’s now the size of a pound coin. I saw the Dr who said it’s infected and gave me antibiotics (flucloxacillin). He also said I needed to see the minor op Dr in the surgery to judge if it can be dealt with in the surgery or if I need to be referred. I’m assuming they’re going to drain or cut it out?

I’m wearing baggy tops, no bra etc as anything rubbing near it is so painful. I’ve been putting warm, wet compresses on it when possible. Is there anything I should be doing while waiting to see the Dr?

I’m feeling miserable. To add to my discomfort I have a shoulder injury in the same arm so holding my arm at angles to keep from pressing on the cyst is hurting my shoulder!

On the plus side the antibiotics are the ones where you have to take them an hour before/2 hours after food so I might lose some weight from lack of snacking! 😂

OP posts:
EBearhug · 22/09/2025 21:54

Don't worry, you'll be fine in Lidl.

tinylegoscars · 22/09/2025 22:46

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samarrange · 22/09/2025 23:32

SugarCookieMonster · 21/09/2025 21:53

Yes it's very sore! Thank you.

I'm getting random stabbing pains in it today. It's probably a bit early to tell but I'm not convinced the antibiotics are doing anything.

The antibiotics are mainly there to stop the bacteria going all round your body, rather than to fix the cyst. Your immune system will do most of the work on the cyst because it's not having to deal with a general emergency (thanks to the antibiotics).

justanotherdrama · 22/09/2025 23:36

I had one years ago and I got fed up waiting so booked a private dermatology appointment and the relief when they removed it was amazing as mine just didn’t squeeze otherwise I absolutely would have squished it!

Silvertulips · 22/09/2025 23:42

Sudacrem stops the rubbing.

I had one and burst it myself - felt so much better! Not that i recommend it.

Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 23/09/2025 15:39

EBearhug · 22/09/2025 21:54

Don't worry, you'll be fine in Lidl.

🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 23/09/2025 15:43

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You’re safe for today!

Just had to do the school run in a giant hoodie on a ridiculously warm afternoon. I never complain about some autumn warmth, but slightly annoyed that I’ve had to cloak myself for fear of terrifying the children 😂

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tinylegoscars · 23/09/2025 16:02

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Arran2024 · 23/09/2025 16:07

I had one on my neck on my wind pipe. I ended up in A& E with it - it was at the weekend - and the doctors there wouldnt operate on it because of the position, so I was told to get referred to a more specialist team at a different hospital via my GP. But by the time gp saw it, it had all drained away and was fine and I never had the op and that was 4 years ago.

Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 23/09/2025 16:34

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🤣 DS has just moved up to the Juniors yard so pick up is a bit more chaotic. Every time I lifted my arm to wave, trying to get his attention, I was cringing! And obviously he was looking everywhere but my direction 🙄.

If it was closer to Halloween I could have just thrown a sheet over myself and styled it out. Fun, quirky mum, yes of course I always dress up the week before! 🤣

I feel like a cross between Quasimodo and Colin from The Brittas Empire (IYKYK)

OP posts:
Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 23/09/2025 16:36

Arran2024 · 23/09/2025 16:07

I had one on my neck on my wind pipe. I ended up in A& E with it - it was at the weekend - and the doctors there wouldnt operate on it because of the position, so I was told to get referred to a more specialist team at a different hospital via my GP. But by the time gp saw it, it had all drained away and was fine and I never had the op and that was 4 years ago.

That must have been so scary and painful! I’m glad it sorted itself out.

OP posts:
jaffacake20 · 23/09/2025 16:45

I have hidradenitis and often get abscesses- in fact, I have 4 in my groin at the moment! I’ve also had them in my armpit, 1 did need surgery but generally the antibiotics do the job eventually. I find putting a dressing over the area helps a little bit pain-wise as it pads the area out, plus you won’t need to quite so worried about a possible explosion! Hope it gets better soon!

tinylegoscars · 23/09/2025 16:48

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Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 23/09/2025 17:11

jaffacake20 · 23/09/2025 16:45

I have hidradenitis and often get abscesses- in fact, I have 4 in my groin at the moment! I’ve also had them in my armpit, 1 did need surgery but generally the antibiotics do the job eventually. I find putting a dressing over the area helps a little bit pain-wise as it pads the area out, plus you won’t need to quite so worried about a possible explosion! Hope it gets better soon!

Oh you poor thing! That sounds so painful. These things are absolutely awful!!
Thank you, I hope you feel better soon too.

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feelingalittlehorse · 23/09/2025 18:33

Ohhhh I had one of these on my face (fml).
Had to have a week off work as honestly, it was just too disgusting (and also extremely painful).
I kept warm compressing it throughout the day and it started leaking a bit before completely draining all the stinking, cheesy pus. It was absolutely wonderful.
Cleared up within a few days of bursting and I had the underlying cyst removed about a week later.

MaiAamWaliHun · 23/09/2025 18:41

I had this! It was huge and just wouldn't pop. I was on the way to A &E to get it lanced, caught it while putting my bra on and all the stuff came out. That was fun. I've got a scar/dint now though. For me it was the Venus razors I was using, just didnt seem to agree with me. Oh I had antibiotics and they didnt touch it.

Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 24/09/2025 16:51

Looks like I’ll be going back to the GP tomorrow as it’s still red and sore although not quite as swollen. I have 1 more antibiotic tablet left. There seems to be a very thin line of purple right at the bottom too.

I’m not great at standing up for myself at the doctors (I was gaslit for 10 years about a chronic illness and still have the mindset that I’m asking for too much). What should be the next reasonable step? I’m assuming different antibiotics.

I’m hoping they’ll excise it so the sac is removed too but it looks like that depends on the doctor. I have a few conditions that have been impacted by this cyst so really don’t want to have a repeat in a few months!

OP posts:
Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 25/09/2025 10:10

Update:
The infection is still there so I’ve got another course of antibiotics. She said it’s still red and hot to the touch.She said it looked like a blocked follicle rather than a head on it so she didn’t want to try to squeeze it. (She looked disappointed about that)

I’m also being referred for removal surgery. Yay. Although I’m a bit nervous as I’ve never had anything like that done.

I’m still in DH’s T-shirts so going to look for some padded plaster/bandage things so I can wear a bra without too much discomfort.

Thank you for being so supportive and sharing your own war stories!

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Mumdiva99 · 25/09/2025 18:33

I can't add anything of merit unlike the other posters. All I can say is it looks a beauty and you'll be delighted if it pops.....don't forget to keep taking photos!! We are all weird over here.

knottywig · 25/09/2025 18:44

When my son had a cyst thing on his ear lobe, was very red and inflamed to the point even I thought it was a bad idea to squeeze it, he was given 2 lots of antibiotics by gp. Then as that did nothing, was referred to the hospital and given antibiotic cream which was brilliant, much better than the oral antibiotics.

Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 26/09/2025 14:13

Frustrating new development: The GP I saw yesterday text me to say they’re not going to be referring me as “there’s not anyone we can refer you to for removal”.

I wrote an email to the practice asking for the reason they appear to have changed their mind and had a call inviting me to speak to one of the partner doctors.

I’m absolutely going to get fobbed off now aren’t I?

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Hoppinggreen · 26/09/2025 14:19

I am in no way medical but it does look like there is an ingrowing hair in the middle from the photo
I see you shave your pits too so that might cause a hair to grow back inwards rather than outwards
Anyway, I hope you are ok and don't explode on any children on the school run later

Original poster
SugarCookieMonster · 26/09/2025 14:31

@Hoppinggreen the last Dr said it looked like a blocked follicle. I’m never shaving again after this!

She said there wasn’t a ‘head’ so she couldn’t squeeze it (she genuinely seemed disappointed she couldn’t have a go) so I think the children are safe from a gunk explosion. For now. Mwahaha.

OP posts:
IAmThePrettiestManOnMyIsland · 26/09/2025 14:43

No good asking me, I'd have squeezed the shit out of it on day 1!

jaffacake20 · 26/09/2025 14:47

SugarCookieMonster · 26/09/2025 14:13

Frustrating new development: The GP I saw yesterday text me to say they’re not going to be referring me as “there’s not anyone we can refer you to for removal”.

I wrote an email to the practice asking for the reason they appear to have changed their mind and had a call inviting me to speak to one of the partner doctors.

I’m absolutely going to get fobbed off now aren’t I?

That’s very odd! I’ve had one lanced by an A&E doctor before. Didn’t need a referral to anyone, I just went to the walk in clinic after 111 told me to one weekend, and they did it there and then under local anaesthetic. That could be an option if you’re royally fed up and the GP is no help?