Painful Little Lump Under Armpit

[Julesey]

Hi! I am a 24 yr old female. I maintain a healthy weight and diet, and exercise at least 3-4 times a week. But this is not the problem, obviously! Now, last week, I knicked myself with the razor while shaving under the armpit, and for a day or two, the wound (which was too small to be seen) was quite bothersome, as I could still feel it. This may be the culprit, but it might not. The other day, after my shirt had been digging in to my armpit in that same spot myself, the area began to feel a little bit tender. Upon further inspection yesterday, I noticed that it is indeed very tender to the touch, warm, swollen (mostly after I had been fussing with the little lump and the area), and that there is a very small lump in the fatty tissue and the area of skin above it is pink and raised. Again, this is where I knicked myself shaving, so it could be no more than an infected/irritated hair follicle. But I do not see any signs of puss, etc. The area is warm and incredibly tender. Yes, I have made an appt. with my new Dr., but as I just got a new Dr. (and I have seen her but once before) I am afraid she is going to overlook it and brush it off. I will be seeing her in 2 weeks. Note: Breast Cancer does NOT run in the family. I know that does not mean I cannot get it, but I know this is an important factor.
2nd Note: Ibuprophen brought the pain and swelling down.


1) Does anyone think I should try to be seen sooner than this?

2) Does this sound like, perhaps, after knicking myself, I irritated the area by working out, sweating, having a shirt rubbing against it? OR does this sound more like it could be a cyst or swollen lymph node?

3) Is it true that, in general, lymphphoma does not cause pain/tenderness?

Just looking for a little advice to help me out before I am seen by my Dr.

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
First of all pls stop worrying as it is not a lymphoma.It sounds like a boil or swollen lymph node. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus.Hair follicles that are blocked by greasy creams, petroleum jelly, or similar products are more vulnerable to infection. Bacterial skin infections can be spread by shared cosmetics or washcloths, close human contact, or by contact with pus from a boil or carbuncle.

Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have additional queries. Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

More like a lymph node due to infection,antibiotics should resolve this.Lymphomas not so acute and generally painless.