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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Having Hard Lump Under Armpit. Area Sore. Will It Go Down By Keeping Something Hot?

I have a lump under armpit no bigger than a ping pong ball. It s under the skin it s hard and I think it moves a little but I can t try to move it to much cause it hurts. I ve had it for a couple of days but it s never stung like it does now. The area around it is very sore. My dad says he gets them a lot and the doctor said to leave something hot on it and the swelling will go down.I m just aking to make sure this is accurate.
Tue, 12 Jun 2012
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Painful Lump in the armpit could be an abscess in that region. Do take a course of antibiotics with anti-inflammatory drugs. Even if your swelling does not subside do undergo fine needle aspiration cytology test to ascertain the nature of swelling.You have not mentioned your sex. If female, do get your breasts examined for any lump or undergo mammography/ultrasound of the breast.

Generally arm pit swellings are due "Hidradenitis suppurata"that most commonly affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands, such as the underarms, breasts, inner thighs, groin and buttocks.The simple procedure of incision and drainage provides some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain. Flare-ups may be triggered by perspiration, hormonal changes (such as monthly cycles in women), humidity and heat, and clothing friction.
Do visit your doctor again if no respite in pain and do consider the above possibility.
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Having Hard Lump Under Armpit. Area Sore. Will It Go Down By Keeping Something Hot?

Painful Lump in the armpit could be an abscess in that region. Do take a course of antibiotics with anti-inflammatory drugs. Even if your swelling does not subside do undergo fine needle aspiration cytology test to ascertain the nature of swelling.You have not mentioned your sex. If female, do get your breasts examined for any lump or undergo mammography/ultrasound of the breast. Generally arm pit swellings are due Hidradenitis suppurata that most commonly affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands, such as the underarms, breasts, inner thighs, groin and buttocks.The simple procedure of incision and drainage provides some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain. Flare-ups may be triggered by perspiration, hormonal changes (such as monthly cycles in women), humidity and heat, and clothing friction. Do visit your doctor again if no respite in pain and do consider the above possibility.