Suggest Treatment For Seborrheic Dermatitis In The Armpit

Posted on Tue, 26 Jul 2016

Question: What is going on if you have a scab like consistency in your arm pit? I don't have diabetes and that's the only thing I have found that talks about this symptom. It is rough and scaly like a scab and is under both arms but larger on one - about 3-4 inches long. Can you help figure this out?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Seborrhoic dermatitis or hidradenitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted your history and understood your concerns.
The scab like consistency in arm pits, rough like a scab and without diabetes can most probably be due to Seborrhoic Dermatitis or Hidradenitis.
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Please post clear photographs if possible as it helps sometimes for on-the-spot diagnosis.
Clean the area with lukewarm water, avoid soaps and chemical of any kind.
Make it dry with hair dryer.
Apply Solution Povidone iodine locally to make the area sterile.
Keep the area aerated

Consult a General Surgeon or a Dermatologist for clinical evaluation, examination and any further specific treatment as needed.

I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)

OK - I will send a picture tomorrow to review. It is also very itchy - it providone iodine like betadine? thanks

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Awaited

Detailed Answer:
Sure, awaiting pictures.
Yes, it is Betadine.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (12 hours later)

What causes this and why just in the arm pit? I have pictures just can't figure out how to attach them here. I am really frustrated with this as nothing like this has ever happened before.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
YYYY@YYYY and attach with this query

Detailed Answer:
Please attach the pictures attached with this query ans also send by email to
YYYY@YYYY

The sebaceous glands in the arm pit are different than the rest of the body.
Hence this area can have such a problem.
In fact the sweat glands in different parts of the body work differently.
I can understand the feeling you are going through.
Do not worry, proper diagnosis and treatment should help you to get relief and cure.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (11 hours later)

Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the pictures, albeit one is out of focus.
The changes are around the skin fold where it sweats excessively and causes maximal changes in the skin in different forms.
It looks to be keratotic or hypertrophied changes due to challenge from the underlying disease like seborrhoic dermatitis or hidradenitis.
I would advise you the following:
Stop using any soaps and chemical other than Solution Betadine to keep the area sterile.
Take multivitamins to help strengthen the skin.
Consult a Dermatologist for clinical evaluation and biopsy if she thinks so to get started with proper treatment.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if yo feel that there is a gap of communication.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar