Medical Question - Canton,OH

Updated on October 13, 2012
A.H. asks from Canton, OH
19 answers

The other day I noticed a small bump under my armpit. It was red and felt like there was a small seed under my skin. Today my other armpit was itching and I felt another bump. Tonight both of my upper arms are really sore and the bump under my right arm is really tender and sore. It has also gotten a lot bigger (about the size of a silver dollar).
I called the doctor earlier but they aren't able to get me in until next week. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I'm really scared and nervous about it.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies. I will definitely go to urgent care tomorrow. I really don't think its an in grown hair. I've had those before. There is definitely something going on under the skin

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree it is probably infection...anything worse doesn't spread that fast. Go to an Med Express center because you don't want to wait on this.

4 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

I had something similar, it was just a small cyst. The doctor told me to put a warm compress on it.

Since you have it under both armpits, it appears that it might be some type of allergic reaction. Are you using any new products?

Whatever it might be, it should be looked at by a medical professional.

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

A.:

Could be an allergic reaction to your deodorant.

Could be an ingrown hair that is now infected. Could be a lot of things.

If you are that concerned - go to an urgent care - especially if you are running a fever. Sorry to hear your doctor can't see you until next week. (these times they are a changing...this is Obamacare...)

I hope it's ONLY an allergic reaction and nothing serious.

Good luck!!

6 moms found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Could be MRSA aka staph infection. I had it under both arms at the same time last August. This is ER or Urgent Care worthy, take care.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

Sounds like you have an infection. Yikes! I'd go to an urgent care center but quick before you get a systemic infection and end up need IV antibiotics - that would mean a hospital stay.

Don't hesitate - go get seen!

Dawn

4 moms found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

I wouldn't suspect a localized skin infection because it's in BOTH armpits. I'm thinking it's probably an allergic reaction to your deodorant. Either way, I agree, I think you should get in to see the doctor right away, because skin infections can turn bad quickly.

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M.B.

answers from Tampa on

I'd say an ingrown hair...

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Something similar happened to my daughter a while back and it turned out to be a staph infection.

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had one of those before and it was a boil-type thing that had a core. It was so sore. But it did not spread. Now my ex-roommate had something similar and it was a staph infection. There's a wide array of things it could be, so definitely get to the clinic tomorrow. Try the warm compresses and ibuprofen for the pain and swelling.
Hope you feel better.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

.

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L.F.

answers from Chicago on

When was the last time that you changed the razor blades on your shaver? It sounds like it could be in-grown hairs to me. And maybe you now have a cyst that is infected.

Whatever you do, stop using deodorant or antiperspirant until you get this figured out.

Can you get to a clinic at Walmart, Target, CVS, or Walgreens? They're pretty cheap and the nurse practioner should be able to prescribe antibiotics to you. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

M.R.

answers from Detroit on

Have you been sick? You have lymph nodes in your armpits that can swell up when you have a virus.
I dont know that I would rush into an urgent care. If it sounded serious enough, Im thinking your doctors office would have got you in sooner.
If you have any other weird symptoms or things get worse, do you have a Walgreens or CVS clinic would could go to?

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/swollen-lymph-nodes-to...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003099.htm

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R.A.

answers from Boston on

If it were just a swollen gland, or ingrown hair, it wouldn't have spread to the other armpit. I think it could be an allergic reaction . I would go to the Urgent care.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Staph infection was my first thought. Hopefully you went to the doctor. If not, get there!

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I agree that it may be ingrown hairs. But it sounds as if it has become more than just that at this point. I would get seen quickly. If it has gotten infected below the skin it can get nasty quickly.

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K.H.

answers from Richmond on

take your butt to the ER, now!
K. h.

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C.S.

answers from Victoria on

sweat glands can get blocked and it happens to me quite frequently. They get very sore and i have found that by applying warm wet compresses that it helps to unblock them. after I hold compress there for 20 minutes or so, I gently massage area. If pressure is bad i keep compresses on for longer and then i try to gently express the bump sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. Also if you are ill, your lymph nodes can get enlarged and so if the area stays longer than 14 days, i would definately get it checked. Being that yours is so large though I would really try compresses and go in and be checked. Mine never have gotten bigger than a grape. Hope this Helps you.

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K.I.

answers from Indianapolis on

Its VERY likely a swollen gland. You're probably fighting off an infection. Ge it looked over, but you have glands there and certain infections can cause them to swell. Try not to stress mama. Everything will be ok!

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H.L.

answers from Cleveland on

I would go to urgent care. I know of a woman that nearly died from staph infection from a razor nick in her armpit. Don't wait, just go get it checked right away. Hopefully it's just an allergic reaction, but if it involves pain/soreness, worth a trip to urgent care/ER. Best of luck to you.

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