Lump in Armpit

[artma2004]

Dear Doctor:

I know that your abilities to diagnose me via the internet are limited.   However, in addition to suggesting that I see a primary care doctor in person, I hope that you can provide me with some feedback on the following.

I’m a 32 year old male in good health.  

Two days ago, while showering, I ran into ONE lump in my right armpit.  

Question:  How would I be able to distinguish between a lymph node, or something like a cyst?

Here’s my description:

This lump feels like the size of a pea.  In other words, it’s not a big.

I can't move the lump around.  

It's quite painful to touch (even the slightest touch hurts!). When I poke it, even slightly, it causes pain into the elbow and down the arm!   In fact, when I have my arm down at my sides, it can cause pain at the lump.  

The lump is very superficial.  BUT: the lump is definitely under the skin.

However, I barely have to touch my armpit to find the lump. In other words, it’s not deep in the "hollow of the armpit.   In fact, the lump feels like it is "embedded" within one of the muscles of the armpit.  So, definitely not in the "hollow of the armpit."

The skin covering this bump also looks swollen, but it’s very subtle swelling.   Of course, the “swollen skin” is only as big a pencil eraser.  In other words, it’s NOT the entire armpit skin that is swollen, but just the part of skin that I need to touch in order to feel this lump.

There are no other lumps.

Question:  My understanding is that lymph nodes are located in the armpit, but not in the muscle of the armpit. Is this true?

If that is true, then what could this be?  The only thing that I can think of is that I started using an anti-perspirant about four weeks ago.   I’m quite sure it’s not a hair follicle, because I barely have any hair under the arm.  I also have a tiny, tiny healing scratch in the same armpit.  But I have no idea how it got scratched in the first place.

Question:  any comments appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I can't tell from your description.  The pain favors a lymph node, but a cyst can hurt too if you poke at it.

But you know what?  It really doesn't matter in all likelihood, because neither is serious.  My advice is to leave the bump alone and show it to a doctor if there's still anything to show in a month.  I doubt your antiperspirant has anything to do with it, so no need to change while you wait.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[artma2004]

This additional information should not exceed my 3,000 letter limit.

Here goes:  at the end of the 2nd day, the lump under the skin of my armp no longer hurts.  Now, I just feel a lump.  Everything I said above still holds true, particularly the facts that the lump seems to me in the "muscle area" of the armpit, instead of the hollow of the armpit.

Thanks,

art

[artma2004]

So, with one swollen node, it's not a big deal.

My impression is that the only concern would be generalized lymph node swelling, correct?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yup, correct.

Dr. Rockoff

[carlos miguel]

hello,  i am a 46 year old asian male.  i have about 10 small cysts in my body and every month i discover new ones.  i have already had 3 cysts removed surgically that left ugly hollow scars.  my question doctor is,  is there a medicine that could be taken orally so that i dont need to have them removed and that maybe i could ask my doctor to prescribe it to me. the cysts do not hurt but i find them ugly.  

thank you very much and God bless.

carlos miguel