Lump in armpit

[Needanewadventure2021]

On Saturday I noticed a tenderness in my left armpit. Upon examination I felt a small bump. Being a long term health anxiety sufferer I pushed it aside as my mind can spiral fast.
It's not overly painful but it is uncomfortable, tender when touched. This evening I can definitely feel a hard pea sized lump. It doesn't move and feels bruised when pressed.

Of course this has sent me over the edge.I will call doctors in the morning but has anyone has this before? I have very cystic breast tissue in the same side and in 2020 3 large cysts had to be drained from my breast. But nothing ever in the armpit.

Thanks for your time

Yes..it turned into a huge boil that had to be lanced.

May I ask did it come out of no where and did it grow fast? I cant see any signs visible on the skin. But I can definitely feel it's there

Sounds like a lymph node. I get these sometimes when I'm ill, makes your whole armpit hurt sometimes! Sore to press, can see them but no head or signs of anything worse.

It could be a cyst, it could be the sign of a cold starting, it could be your immune system kicking in after a covid or flu booster (?). Put your mind at rest and see the doctor if its still there in the morning. Dont panic, its probably nothing, but don't ignore it if its still there tomorrow.

The most I feel is very run down. Haven't had my booster yet.

Can't seem to switch off from it tonight. How long does it take for the lymphs to go down?

I do understand why you're worried. I really don't think that anyone on here can answer your questions though. Please do ring the doctor and make an appointment.

Have you shaved your armpits recently? I sometimes get a spot/ingrowing hair or similar after shaving. Exactly as you describe - tender, hard, pea-sized. Sometimes I do eventually see it on the skin but other times it resolves before I ever see it. I had a doctor look at one once. Very common apparently. But worth asking your own doctor for proper medical advice. I hope you can feel a little reassured tonight though xx

You should speak to your GP given your history but if it's any reassurance I get something that sounds similar quite often (few times a year) but resolves itself in 2-3 days as long as I can refrain from poking and prodding for long enough. Like previous poster I've put it down to immune system and I've also had it after covid jabs. It feels like maybe I strained a muscle or something unless I touch to feel the lump then I'd say it's very uncomfortable verging on painful. It's always on my right side but no idea if that means anything or just coincidence.

Just read a thread where the poster has received the good news that her lump has gone down and it is nothing to worry about.
She believes it was her new deodorant.
A bit more to that thread as well.

I had this before Christmas. Freaked out, got an appointment to see my GP and he checked it over. It was from shaving (and possibly catching) my underarms. It was gone within a couple of weeks

I too wondered if it could be an ingrown hair or from shaving but I haven't shaved. I have since to see if it's visible on the skin. It isn't.

My armpit does feel some pressure in it.

I will get some advice because I do suffer with regular breast pain and cysts on that side. I really should check myself more often than I do. The last time I went in 2020 is when I found a significant sized lump in my breast. It was the size of a bouncy ball! My mom checked it believing I was overreacting and when she felt it she was shocked at the size. It was at that breast appointment I was told there were another 2, so 3 all together. Since 2017 I've had 4 referrals to the breast clinic for different sized lumps always in the underside of my breast.

This one is definitely pea sized in my armpit towards the bottom and I guess it just got my mind thinking.

Thanks for your replies. I will speak to my GP

It is actually visible through the skin. Just out the shower and put my arm above my head in the mirror and it's there. It's not a spot, not red, not head but very visible through the skin, pea-marble size.

Will give my GP a called in the morning though it's unlikely I will get seen anytime soon

I've been referred the the breast clinic. She said it does feel quite deep trying so very hard not to worry. I've been in this situation many times before. I know it's just to make sure. But I cant help but think what if one time I go I'm told it's more than a cyst

I'm so pleased that you've got a referral. I hope everything goes well for you.

It could become a boil but may remain a small hard lump.

Sometimes you nick yourself shaving armpits and it happens in a hair follicle. I've had that and messed about with it, it swelled and burst, making an awful mess but I kept it clean and disinfected and all was well.

I wasn't too worried until she said it felt quite deep and round.
I have considered it being a hair follicle/nick from shaving but I hadn't shaved for about 10 days. I just need to wait now

Hi please can I ask how you have gotten on? This sounds really similar to a lump I have found. Currently waiting for an ultrasound

Hi. I'm still waiting. My appointment is 19th February. Not sure who makes the decisions but I got a call to say it was downgraded from the 2 week pathway to a routine. Thankfully not much longer but imagine being really worried and someone making the decision that its not considered urgent based on some notes.

I wasn't overly worried this time as with a course of antibiotics it went down. Still there but much smaller. I then went down with covid again and a lump appeared in my other armpit. I will for sure come back to update as we never really know what is going on, but I think mine were down to infection/illness.

Have you felt poorly recently? Is the lump growing?

That's so stressful! Hope all is good when it comes around and glad to hear you are sounding more positive about it.

I did have covid over the new year so don't know if it could be related but I've noticed it for about 3 weeks now. It's not gotten bigger but I think the surrounding area is abit swollen but I don't know if I'm imagining that, in constantly feeling and thinking I can feel bumps everywhere now since I noticed. I am in early pregnancy as well so that doesn't help my nerves. Fingers crossed it's nothing

Please get it checked. If only for peace of mind @Cas112

Finding lumps is terrifying. I have cystic breast tissue to I have them frequently and they worry me every time. I only relaxed this time because the flucloxacillin did reduce the lump and then as I say, covid struck again and one appeared in the other armpit, but when the GP examined me and she confirmed she could feel a deep lump my heart sank wondering what if.

If you haven't already you should go to your GP..they should refer you regardless

Hope all turns out to be nothing serious op