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What Causes Pain In Left Armpit?
Question: I am a 19 year old male and three days ago I noticed some pain in my left armpit while applying deodorant. After thorough examination it was clear it was a bump that had a yellow tip. Yesterday I squeezed it and yellow stuff oozed out as if it were a pimple. I still have the bump today and it hurts as from day one for any motion I conduct with my arm. What is it?
Brief Answer:
An abscess- observe it carefully
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
From what you are describing looks like you are having an abscess developing in the armpit area, and it happens often to have abscesses there. An abscess in that area is inflammation around a hair follicle which can lead to the formation of an abscess, which is also called a boil.
In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, like in your case, but generally it must be opened by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage.
The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream.
--Applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily can help.
--Do not attempt to drain the abscess by pressing on it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues. Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess center because you may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread.
If you are not getting better, or you are getting worse (like you see no improvement or start with high fever) then you should immediately go to the local doctor to consider draining it and taking a treatment with antibiotic.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need any further clarifications. If not, then please kindly close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
An abscess- observe it carefully
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
From what you are describing looks like you are having an abscess developing in the armpit area, and it happens often to have abscesses there. An abscess in that area is inflammation around a hair follicle which can lead to the formation of an abscess, which is also called a boil.
In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, like in your case, but generally it must be opened by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage.
The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream.
--Applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily can help.
--Do not attempt to drain the abscess by pressing on it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues. Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess center because you may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread.
If you are not getting better, or you are getting worse (like you see no improvement or start with high fever) then you should immediately go to the local doctor to consider draining it and taking a treatment with antibiotic.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need any further clarifications. If not, then please kindly close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
One last question. Should I stop using deodorant all together for that armpit or should I simply switch brands? Right now I'm using a gel like deodorant.
Brief Answer:
Continue with the same deodorant because it doesn't affect it
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I don't think the deodorant have caused or in any way affected the problem. They generally have alcohol, so it serves as a disinfectant somehow.
Sometimes, removing or cutting the hair in the armpit may be a possible cause, but also it can happen without a specific cause.
I would say, try avoid the deodorant these days (because the cream/gel might gather in the area), until it heals up, but keep it as clean as possible also. You can use the same brand after.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.
Continue with the same deodorant because it doesn't affect it
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I don't think the deodorant have caused or in any way affected the problem. They generally have alcohol, so it serves as a disinfectant somehow.
Sometimes, removing or cutting the hair in the armpit may be a possible cause, but also it can happen without a specific cause.
I would say, try avoid the deodorant these days (because the cream/gel might gather in the area), until it heals up, but keep it as clean as possible also. You can use the same brand after.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.
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. Prasad
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