Purulent lumps under the armpit. A dense ball can be felt under the child’s armpit

A small lump under the arm is a good cause for concern for many. It may indicate the presence inflammatory process in the body. The neoplasm in most cases has a round shape. When pressing on it, pain is felt.

Although sometimes there is no pain at all when touching the lump. Without prior consultation with a specialist, it is unlikely that you will be able to find out what the seal actually is and whether it is dangerous to health.

Article outline:

Balls under the arm - what are they?

As mentioned earlier, the lump under the armpit is a kind of compaction. What this could be is not so easy to understand. This is because doctors offer several explanations for this neoplasm.

The lump may have a different color. Most often, a greenish or red lump is observed. It also comes in white. Due to its size, the tumor stands out well under thin skin. Therefore, it is quite easy to detect.

A lump in the armpit that hurts is the first sign of inflammation. It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as fever and redness at the site of the lesion.

In this situation, we can talk about the appearance of an inflamed node, abscess or tumor in a person’s armpit. It is also worth considering the fact that a lump does not always occur alone. It is not so rare that doctors have to observe several neoplasms under the skin at once.

Main reasons

If lumps appear under the arms, you need to start looking for an explanation for this phenomenon. How formerly man understands what exactly is bothering him, the faster he will be able to deal with the problem.

Specialists who research and select therapy for patients with such cases identify several main factors that contribute to the development of a dense tumor in the armpit. It occurs for the following reasons:

• Blockage of the sebaceous glands.
• Lymphadenitis or inflammation of the lymph node.
• Hidradenitis or inflammation of the sweat ducts.

Small bumps are often a sign of a recent illness caused by an infectious pathogen. The neoplasm is a consequence of the development of a complication.

In addition, one should not exclude the possibility that a person simply confuses a painful lump with an ordinary boil. They have a similar shape and size. When the boil matures, clots of pus begin to come out of it.

Then he disappears. It is not always possible to get rid of a dense tumor so easily.

Blockage of the sebaceous glands

With this pathology, there is a disruption in the production of fat-like lipids. Because of this, the cells die and gradually turn into sebum.

Against this background, the sebaceous ducts narrow, resulting in the formation of a hard round lump. It doesn't hurt, so it can't be detected right away.

Although a lump caused by blocked sebaceous glands does not cause any discomfort, it should be removed.

Otherwise, a person risks one day encountering an inflammatory process and infection of the tissue of the lymph node in the armpit.

Inflammation of the lymph node

When a lymph node becomes inflamed, doctors diagnose lymphadenitis. It is caused by the following factors:

1. Hematopoiesis disorder.
2. Oncological neoplasms with metastases to other organs.
3. Infectious lesion.
4. The presence of pathogenic microflora in the body, which leads to the development of tuberculosis or syphilis.

With lymphadenitis, a lump in the axillary area may be accompanied by pain or not cause any discomfort at all. It all depends on the reason why the disease developed.

This lump can be easily felt. It is characterized by a certain mobility. The danger of this neoplasm is that it can change its size when exposed to contributing factors.

Inflammation of the sweat ducts

First of all, doctors consider the option of developing hidradenitis in patients who have a lump in the armpit. The neoplasm occurs due to the entry of pathogenic microflora into the sweat ducts.

The inflammatory process quickly makes itself felt in the presence of such factors:

1. Insufficient adherence to personal hygiene rules or its complete absence.
2. Excessive sweating, causing excessive dilation of the sweat ducts.
3. Incorrect use of products to keep your body clean. This usually applies to deodorants.
4. Severe cuts through which pathogens can enter the body.

If a person does develop hidradenitis, their lump will hurt as soon as pressure is applied to it. The mobility of the neoplasm is minimal.

Additionally, the patient will begin to be bothered by a symptom such as itching at the site of the lesion.

Other reasons

In both men and women, a compacted neoplasm is not in all cases a consequence of an inflammatory process occurring in the body and affecting the axillary area. Sometimes such a lump is considered to be a malignant tumor. But this happens extremely rarely.

Furunculosis may also be an explanation for the sudden appearance of a ball under the arm. The disease makes itself felt when hair grows directly into the sweat gland. As a result, an inflammatory process occurs. It is accompanied by redness of the skin and soreness.

Principles of treating lumps in the armpits

Self-medication for a lump in the armpit, even if it is painless, is unacceptable. Only a qualified doctor can tell you what to do in such a situation.

Many people neglect this rule and try to get rid of subcutaneous tumors using traditional methods which were used by their ancestors. But in fact, no homemade lotions or other remedies can eliminate the lump in the armpit area.
This requires a competent approach to solving the problem. You should especially not refuse the help of a doctor if the lump is the result of an inflammatory process that can lead to infection.

If the lump does not hurt and there are no obvious signs of redness, it would not hurt to visit the office of an infectious disease specialist or oncologist. Even such a harmless neoplasm may well lead to serious problems with health.

If the lump begins to hurt a lot when pressed, then you should not refuse to go to the surgeon. He will evaluate the condition of the compacted tissue and decide which method is best to remove it safely.

Treatment of a compacted tumor in the armpit can be both conservative and surgical. The first option is considered the most optimal for most patients, since it does not require surgical intervention.

But this method of therapy is suitable only for those patients in whom the inflammatory process has not spread much, and the lump itself is quite small. The answer to the question of whether it will be possible to limit oneself to conservative methods directly depends on the patient’s actions and on how quickly he consulted a doctor.

While the inflammatory process is going through the infiltration stage, patients can get by solely by taking medications with an anti-inflammatory effect and using products to treat problem areas.

Immunomodulatory therapy, which increases the body's protective properties, is not superfluous.

If a lot of time has passed since the onset of activation of the disease and suppuration is present at the site of the lesion, the abscess will have to be opened. A drainage procedure is mandatory, which allows you to pump out all the pathogenic fluid that has managed to accumulate in the cavity of the cone.

It is difficult to avoid surgical intervention when diagnosed with furunculosis or hidradenitis. The operation is performed under local anesthesia.

Most patients tolerate the opening of a purulent lump well. After it, only occasionally complications arise.

In case of inflammation that has progressed to the stage of abscess formation, an autopsy is required, accompanied by cleansing the cavity with a solution of hydrogen peroxide.

This composition has a bactericidal effect. Afterwards, the surgeon inserts a special rubber drainage into the problem area, which will prevent purulent discharge from accumulating again.

Thanks to it, the pathological fluid will immediately come out. As soon as the pus is completely released from the cavity, the wound will begin to heal. Until this moment, there is no hope for its healing.

1. On average, this period takes 1-2 weeks. The duration of recovery depends on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
2. If the inflammation is severe, antibiotics will be required. Usually in such situations it is prescribed medications, which belong to the cephalosporin group. For therapy to work, it must be completed in full, without missing a single dose of medication.
3. Otherwise, the antibiotic will be of no use, since it will not have time to completely suppress the spread of pathogenic microflora.

It is in the interests of every person who has already encountered the formation of a lump in the armpit or is not yet familiar with this problem to carefully monitor the condition of their skin. Also, do not forget to take care of your own health.

It is very important to avoid factors that can lead to inflammation in order to prevent the formation of painful lumps under the arms and on other parts of the body.

The appearance of lumps in the armpit is not uncommon. They happen various shapes and bring a lot of discomfort and pain to its owner.

Lump in armpit is serious reason to see a doctor. In addition to unpleasant sensations, such formation can be life-threatening and even be a sign initial stage cancer.

Why might a lump appear in the armpit?

There are three reasons why a lump forms in the armpit area:

1. Clogging of the sebaceous glands.
2. Hidradenitis.
3. Inflammation or oncology lymph nodes.

Let's look at each factor in more detail.

Blockage of the sebaceous glands

Such a round-shaped lump tends to move, but does not cause pain. Without signs of inflammation, it does not pose a threat. It is enough to improve personal hygiene and not overuse cosmetics of dubious quality. If the lump begins to grow or turns red, seek professional help.

Hidradenitis of the armpits

The lump is caused by staphylococci or streptococci entering the sweat gland. The problem is aggravated by a lack of personal hygiene, increased sweating, injuries, and inappropriate use of various cosmetic and hygiene products. Hidradenitis is easily recognized by the following signs:

• body temperature rises to 38 degrees;
• a small formation appears, hardening and turning blue after a few days;
• after 2 days, a yellow or white purulent discharge is observed on the surface of the cone.

Important!

Under no circumstances should you remove a purulent lesion yourself. With this course of events, there will be a high probability of infection entering the body.

Treatment of the disease depends on the stage of progression and extent. Doctors generally prescribe an antibiotic, a local antiseptic, as well as immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Lymph node enlargement

Such inflammation can be provoked by various infections occurring in the body, chronic diseases(tuberculosis, syphilis and others), cancerous tumors, diseases of the circulatory system.

Depending on the factor of formation, the lump may or may not hurt, but it can always be easily felt. Treatment is carried out taking into account the cause of inflammation. Surgical intervention or conservative therapy is possible.

In what cases can a lump in the armpit be a sign of cancer?

A formation in the armpit may signal metastases to the mammary gland in women. Representatives of the fairer sex after 40 years should be especially careful. This age is at risk for developing a malignant tumor in the breast. The lump formed due to a cancer tumor is often painless.

What do you need to pay attention to to understand that a lump in the armpit is cancer?

A neoplasm in the armpits is malignant tumor if a number of the following symptoms appear:

• the lymph node of the axillary tissue has sharply increased in size, takes the form of a protrusion under the skin, it is painless and not connected with neighboring tissues;
• the site of formation is very itchy before its appearance;
• body temperature rises to 37 degrees for no reason and does not subside;
• At night, body sweating increases.

As the tumor progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced:

• breathing becomes difficult, shortness of breath appears;
• diarrhea begins or vice versa - constipation;
• headaches, fatigue, worsening general condition, a person can suddenly lose weight for no reason;
• anemia often develops;
• The body is affected by fungal, viral and bacterial infections with periodic frequency.

If at least one of the above signs appears, a person should immediately visit the clinic!

What examinations need to be completed?

The oncologist first interviews the patient and listens to complaints. For every doctor, symptoms, their severity, and information about other chronic diseases are of great importance. Next, he feels the affected area. In this way, the specialist determines the diameter of the formation and its consistency. Next you need to carry out several examinations:

1. Ultrasound - allows you to examine damage to the tissue of the lymph nodes and identify their mutation.
2. CT and MRI - these methods determine the exact location of the tumor and the growth of cancer cells into neighboring tissues.

What tests need to be taken?

Often, specialists refer the patient to an accurate diagnosis. To finalize the picture, histological and cytological examination is carried out.

What consequences can happen if you don’t see a doctor in time?

If a person ignores the signs of cancer and does not seek help from specialists, the cancer will progress, gradually killing the human body. The result of such events, of course, will be death. Therefore, it is very important to go to the clinic at the slightest suspicion of a malignant tumor. It’s better to play it safe a couple of times than to suffer for the rest of your life.

Axillary lymph node cancer

Treatment depending on the situation

Treatment for a cancerous tumor under the arm depends on the type of cancer and the nature of its spread. The main ways to get rid of cancer of the axillary lymph nodes include:

1. Chemotherapy. The dosage and duration are selected individually for each patient by his attending physician.
2. Radiation therapy. Kills all malignant cells under the influence of highly active radioactive rays.
3. Surgical treatment. All affected lymph nodes in the armpit are removed.

Not so long ago, new methods of combating cancer tumors began to be used, which consist of transplanting part of the bone marrow.

All treatment methods are aimed at reducing the size of the affected lymph node. It is also necessary to achieve stable remission. Often, to get rid of armpit cancer, doctors use complex therapy, including several of the most effective methods in an individual case.

Forecast and what to expect?

In general, the prognosis is quite favorable. But it all depends on the type and prevalence of oncology. With a slowly growing tumor, patients can live 7-10 years. With a rapidly progressing disease, the likelihood of cure is also high, but high-dose chemotherapy is required. In the case of secondary pathology, when metastases have spread from the mammary gland, the prognosis is much worse. No more than 50% of patients live here for 5 years. If armpit cancer develops as a result, therapy is practically powerless. Approximately only 16% of patients manage to live at least another 5 years.

A lump in the armpit occurs for various reasons and also has different symptoms. With inflammation of the lymph nodes, which is one of the factors in the appearance of dense formations in the armpit, the development of oncology is quite possible. This often leads to a sad outcome. In case of timely diagnosis and treatment, positive dynamics are possible. Selecting a good clinic with experienced oncologists increases the patient’s chances of recovery. This issue should also be approached responsibly.

If appeared painful lump under your arm, you should pay attention to this. The fact is that various oncological and systemic diseases can manifest themselves in this way, in which an enlarged group of lymph nodes is the first symptom. Therefore, first you need to adequately assess your health. Consider whether you have recently had unexplained periods of temporary general malaise, chills, muscle weakness, or fever. If these symptoms periodically appear and disappear, then you need to see a therapist for treatment. medical examination and conducting a series of analyses.

The most reliable of them is the expanded general analysis blood. In case of chronic inflammatory processes and the development of oncological tumors, in a blood test the doctor will see a shift in the leukocyte formula with total leukocytosis and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In some forms of tumors, hemoglobin levels decrease and B12-deficiency anemia is diagnosed. What to do if a lump appears under the armpit, we will tell you in this material.

Causes of lumps under the armpit and shape

In the vast majority of cases, the causes of a lump under the armpit are associated with an enlarged lymph node. On palpation, a single nodule is felt, which is soft and elastic. It doesn't hurt to touch him. It can be motionless, and also move freely within 1-2 cm. The skin over the lymph node is not changed, not hyperemic. May be a symptom of the following conditions:

1. presence of cuts and purulent wounds on the skin surfaces of the hand on the side where the lump appeared;
2. arthritis and arthrosis in a state of exacerbation in the area of ​​the elbow, wrist and shoulder joint;
3. eczema and psoriatic lesions of the skin of the hand on the affected side;
4. pulmonary tuberculosis;
5. pneumonia and chronic obstructive bronchitis;
6. pericarditis and myocarditis.

The following forms of lump under the arm are found:

• small or medium size;
• soft or compacted;
• painful or painless on palpation;
• normal color, hyperemic or pigmented (brown);
• mobile or fused to surrounding tissues;
• internal or protruding above the surface of the armpit.

All these signs are important in establishing the initial diagnosis. As a rule, a combination of factors such as a rapid increase in size and redness of the skin, pain and lack of mobility on palpation, and increased pigmentation of the skin of surrounding tissues make one suspect an oncological lesion. Only a doctor can determine the exact causes of a lump under the arm.

Remember a simple rule: if the lump under the armpit is painful, then you must avoid any procedures using thermal energy and urgently consult a doctor to rule out a malignant neoplasm in the area of ​​the lymph node.

Not less often, swelling can be a consequence of blockage of the ducts of the sweat glands. Hidradenitis develops against the background of systematic use of deodorants during the hot season. In the future, against this background, atheroma may form, which must be removed surgically. Such conditions do not go away on their own.

What to do if you have a lump under your armpit?

It is not recommended to treat any growths on your body on your own. Any careless actions may lead to rapid growth pathogenic tissues. Particular care should be taken when handling various types of heating. Avoid compresses, mustard plasters and heating pads. On the contrary, you should ensure rest in the affected area and sufficient hygienic care of the skin.

Contact your doctor immediately. After the diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment for you and tell you what to do with the lump under the armpit. You should be especially careful if a lump appears under your child’s armpit. Thus, children often develop leukemia and other malignant diseases of the hematopoietic system.

The appearance of lumps in the armpit area in women is an alarming symptom of an inflammatory, infectious or oncological disease of the lymphatic, endocrine systems, as well as epithelial tissues. The pathological sign can be accompanied by a rich clinical picture with acute pain syndrome, or it can occur in a chronic form.

Lumps that appear in a woman’s armpit are the consequences of an existing underlying disease internal organs, glandular, connective and soft tissues.

Painful symptoms may appear for the following reasons:

• stretching of muscle fibers and tendons located on the side of the armpit;
• prolonged hypothermia of the body, being in a draft of cold air or under an air conditioning system;
• mechanical damage to the inner part of the shoulder joint in the form of impacts, falls from great heights;
• infectious infection of epithelial tissues located in the armpit;
• inflammation of the hair follicles, which is caused by their infection with Staphylococcus aureus;
• purulent inflammation of the sweat glands, which progresses and covers increasingly larger areas of the armpits;
• benign tumors that form from their own epithelial tissue or fatty tissue;
• cancerous tumors affecting breast tissue, as well as nodes of the lymphatic system.

The article describes the main reasons for the appearance of a lump in the armpit in women.

A lump in the armpit in women cannot develop on its own without the influence of pathological factors. Determining the reasons that caused the appearance of an extraneous tumor is a prerequisite for successful treatment in the future.

Types of diseases that cause a lump in the armpit

The formation of multiple or single lumps that form in the armpit area in women of all age groups can be associated with a number of diseases of the endocrine and lymphatic systems. The table below lists pathologies, one of the symptoms of which is the appearance of foreign tumors in the armpit.

Types of diseases	Mechanism of cone formation
Hidradenitis	This is an acute inflammation of the tissues of the apocrine sweat glands, which in most cases occurs in a purulent form. If a lump in the armpit appears due to the development of this disease, then its surface is painful on palpation. The skin located above the foreign tumor is distinguished by a red, pink or burgundy hue. There are pronounced signs of the inflammatory process. A woman can feel not only severe pain in the armpit, but also discomfort when raising the arm up. The disease requires urgent medication and surgical treatment. In the absence of properly organized therapy, it can cause severe complications and damage to glandular tissues.
Lymphadenitis	Chronic or acute inflammation of the lymph nodes. The lump that appears in the armpit for this reason has a dense structure and is hard to the touch. It can be presented in multiple quantities depending on the number of nodal connections found in the area affected by the disease. Pathology develops due to penetration bacterial infection in the tissue of the lymphatic system, or due to prolonged hypothermia of the body. The skin in the area of ​​compaction differs more high temperature bodies. During palpation of the armpit, a woman feels a sharp or aching pain, which intensifies as the disease progresses.
Lipoma	A benign neoplasm that is not dangerous to a woman’s life, but causes significant discomfort and an aesthetic defect. The lump caused by this disease consists of fatty tissue. It may occur due to impaired lipid metabolism, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, or excess body weight. Under the influence negative factors a lipoma can degenerate into a cancerous tumor, but the likelihood of such transformation is minimal. Treatment of this neoplasm requires the use of a surgical treatment method.
Folliculitis	It begins as the formation of a small abscess, which quickly increases in size and forms into an abscess. This is a purulent lump that appears in the armpit due to failure to comply with basic rules of personal hygiene, scratching, and a bacterial infection has entered the lump. Most often, soft tissue infections are associated with invasion of Staphylococcus aureus, as well as streptococcal infections. Treatment of a lump of this etiology requires the use of drugs antibacterial therapy internal, injection and local use.
Breast cancer	The most severe disease of glandular tissue. Characterized by the appearance of a malignant tumor inside the breast tissue. As the foreign tumor grows, metastasis occurs cancer cells to neighboring organs and systems. One of the symptoms of the disease is enlargement of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Unlike lymphadenitis, they do not have signs of severe inflammation and pain. During palpation, a similar lump is felt in the mammary gland.

A lump in the armpit in women is examined using instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods, the results of which determine the type of disease that caused the manifestation of this symptom. Elimination of the underlying disease allows you to get rid of the extraneous tumor with minimal risk of relapse of the disease.

Diagnosis of a lump in the armpit

A comprehensive examination of the body and the area of ​​the body directly in the area where the axillary lump is located is a prerequisite before prescribing treatment.

The woman who applied for medical care with foreign seals in the armpit area, undergoes the following types of diagnostics:

• initial examination by a general practitioner, surgeon, palpation of the mammary gland by a mammologist or gynecologist;
• Ultrasound of the epithelial tissues of the armpit, as well as the entire surface of the chest;
• chest x-ray;
• a smear from the skin surface covering the lump if there are signs of purulent exudate;
• tissue biopsy of a foreign tumor for histological analysis;
• fence venous blood for the purpose of its biochemical study for the level of hormones, the possible presence of bacterial microorganisms, cancer cells;
• donating capillary blood from bundles ring finger and morning urine for clinical analysis.

If necessary, the attending physician may prescribe the woman to undergo additional examination using MRI diagnostics. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor determines the cause of the formation of the lump and prescribes a course of treatment.

When to see a doctor

A visit to a surgeon, dermatologist or oncologist should take place in the first 1-2 days after a woman discovers foreign lumps in her armpit. Delay in visiting a doctor is fraught with further tumor growth, progression of the inflammatory process, or the spread of infectious microorganisms to surrounding tissues and organs.

Prevention of lumps in the armpit

A lump in the armpit in women is a symptom of a specific disease, the occurrence of which can be prevented.

• treat in a timely manner inflammatory diseases internal organs to prevent the penetration of excessive amounts of bacterial infection into lymphatic system and blood;
• undergo a preventive examination at least once a year by a gynecologist, mammologist, surgeon, dermatologist;
• every 30 days, perform an independent examination and palpation of the breast to detect nodules and lumps, which may be a malignant tumor that can cause the formation of lumps in the armpit;
• lead healthy image life, swimming, athletics, cycling, walking in the fresh air;
• stop using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products;
• control your body weight and prevent obesity;
• observe basic rules of personal hygiene, wash the skin of the armpits daily with soap and warm water;
• balance your diet, eat less fatty, fried, smoked foods.

The above rules of prevention are mandatory for those women whose family has close female relatives who suffer from lumps in the armpit.

Treatment methods for lumps in the armpit

Modern methods of therapy include the use of traditional medicines antibacterial and anti-inflammatory spectrum of action, as well as surgical treatment of benign and malignant neoplasms in the tissues of the armpit.

Medicines

It is advisable to use antiseptic and anti-inflammatory medications if the cause of the lump is folliculitis, hidradenitis, lymphadenitis or other infectious tissue diseases.

In this case, the following means are used:

• Liniment Vishnevsky– the drug is used as a complex antiseptic that removes purulent contents from abscesses and abscesses (the ointment is applied to a sterile piece of gauze and then placed on the affected area of ​​the skin 2 times a day for 10 days, and the cost of a 30 g tube is 45 rubles) .
• Cytostatic drugs– prescribed in the form of therapeutic courses of intravenous drips, indicated for use when lumps appear in the armpit, which are a consequence of breast cancer (selection of a single dosage and duration of treatment is determined on an individual basis);

• Biseptol – antibacterial agent, which is effective for treating bumps caused by lymphadenitis, is prescribed 1 tablet 2-3 times a day with a duration of therapy from 5 to 14 days (medicine price 140 rubles);
• Azithromycin– the drug is prescribed for internal use, 1 capsule 2 times a day, 2 hours after meals, or 1 hour before eating (the duration of treatment for lumps of infectious or inflammatory etiology is 3-5 days, the cost of the medication is 105 rubles);

Traditional methods

It is not recommended to use the products traditional medicine, as a method of treating lumps in the armpit. This is due to the fact that decoctions, tinctures, medicines will not have the proper antiseptic effect when infectious diseases lymphatic system.

If lumps are in the armpit, this is the result oncological process, then in this case, traditional medicine recipes are absolutely useless.

Other methods

In combination with drug treatment applies surgical removal extraneous neoplasm.

The therapeutic process goes as follows:

1. The patient is hospitalized in the surgical department.
2. All necessary tests and preoperative preparations are carried out.
3. The patient is transported to the sterile conditions of the operating room.
4. The anesthesiologist administers a general anesthetic to the patient.
5. After the onset of anesthesia, the surgeon performs a tissue dissection in the area where the tumor or affected lymph nodes are located.
6. The area of ​​the armpit where the foreign tumor is located is sanitized and removed.
7. After antiseptic treatment of the wound, suturing is performed.

Depending on the reasons that caused the formation of lumps in the armpit, the attending physician may use auxiliary therapy methods. They consist in prescribing a postoperative course of treatment with antibacterial, cytostatic medications or chemicals.

Possible complications

Treatment of lumps in the armpit should be organized according to the principle of eliminating the underlying disease.

Absence effective therapy can lead to the following complications and health problems:

• rebirth benign tumor V malignant neoplasm which can cause death;
• exacerbation of lymphadenitis with the emergence of the need for emergency surgical intervention removal of lymph nodes;
• septic shock and blood poisoning, if the cause of lumps in the armpits is associated with bacterial hidradenitis;
• further growth of a breast cancer tumor, one of the symptoms of which is the formation of foreign tumors in the armpit;
• spread of the inflammatory process to the bone and connective tissue shoulder joint.

Lumps that appear in the armpit of a woman - this is an alarming symptom, which should become motivation to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body.

Timely examination and organization of medical and surgical treatment makes it possible to get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time. In this case, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. Ignoring the problem can lead to long-term disability, disability and even death of the woman.

Video about bumps in the armpits, the reasons for their appearance and treatment methods

Types and symptoms of hidradenitis:

Methods for treating and preventing lumps under the arms:

A lump in the armpit always causes inconvenience, even if it is not accompanied by pain. If, with the slightest pressure, the lump under the armpit causes pain, there is a need to eliminate it as soon as possible. In addition, the question arises of how dangerous this formation can be, whether there are ways to remove it yourself, and what consequences it can lead to. Fortunately, in most cases this phenomenon does not pose a great danger. To determine the nature of the formation, it is necessary to carefully examine it. Depending on external signs, one can distinguish, for example, such types of growths as:

1. atheroma;
2. lipoma;
3. furuncle;

Of course, there remains a possibility that the resulting compaction is of a malignant nature, but it is impossible to establish this by external signs - this requires professional research in a laboratory. Other types of cones can be identified by a combination of characteristic features.

Atheroma

This seal is benign in nature and is an accumulation of a product produced by the sebaceous gland. The condition for its formation is blockage of the mouth of this gland. Areas with increased sweating, which primarily include the armpits and groin area, become the most favorable areas for the formation of atheromas.

You can distinguish atheroma from other growths by a number of signs that characterize this lump under the armpit and in any other area. These include:
painlessness when pressed and touched;

1. the boundaries are clear;
2. round shape;
3. filled with pasty contents;
4. the contents have an unpleasant odor.

This type of formation often becomes inflamed, so it must be removed. If an inflammatory process develops in the atheroma cavity, the signs described above will lose their relevance. First of all, the atheroma will change in appearance; in addition, pronounced painful sensations. To the number possible complications in this case, such a phenomenon as an abscess applies.

Lump under the arm photo

Lipoma

If the lump under the arm does not hurt, looks like an atheroma, but has some differences from it, then most likely this formation is a lipoma. This growth is an accumulation of adipose tissue, or, as it is commonly called, a wen. Moreover, the size of such a bump can vary from very insignificant (0.5 cm) to frighteningly large - more than 10 cm. The main signs are considered:

• absence painful sensations when touched and pressed;
• unclear outline of the bump;
• uneven, knotty surface;
• soft consistency;
• mobility.

Unlike atheroma, lipoma becomes inflamed extremely rarely and does not pose a health hazard. However, the likelihood of developing an inflammatory process still remains, especially if the wen is too large. In this case, it is recommended to remove it.

Furuncle

When a lump under the armpit hurts when pressed, has a hard surface, a red or bluish tint, and is filled with purulent contents, it was formed as a result of an inflammatory process. At the initial stage, transforming into compaction. In fact, such a lump is an abscess in the cavity of which purulent masses accumulate, caused by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. The most striking and probable example in this case is a boil. It has the following characteristics:

• round shape;
• about the size of a large pea;
• red color, with a bluish tint;
• soreness to touch;
• in the center a purulent core of white-yellow color is visible.

This abscess occurs when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria enter the cavity of the hair follicle. Considering that in the armpit there is a large amount hair follicles, the likelihood of this process developing is quite high. In addition, in this area there is increased sweating, which is an additional provoking factor for the occurrence of a boil.

You should know that self-removal of formations, especially inflammatory ones, is always associated with a certain risk. If a lump is found under the armpit inside the layers of skin and subcutaneous fat, and not on the surface of the epidermis, then opening it on your own is not at all acceptable. In addition to mechanical damage to tissues and, as a consequence, creating conditions for damage by pathogenic microflora, there is a possibility of the abscess contents spreading, including through blood vessels. If the formation breaks out independently or accidentally, first of all it is necessary to treat its cavity, as well as the surface of the skin around it, with an antiseptic.