Hello!
I am a relatively healthy 25-year old female. I don't smoke, I don't drink alcohol and I try to lead a healthy lifestyle. I have no family history of Leukemia/Lymphoma. I've had Infectious Mononucleosis when I was 16 years old, the antibodies are still detected in my bloodstream so I suppose I can't get it again (right?).
Last week, I shaved my armpits and put deodorant on right away. It stang and the following day I woke up with a sore and itchy rash under both armpits. I could see that my shaving had also caused two tiny cuts under my left underarm. I tried using my deodorant less and I abstained from shaving for 4 days.
Then, on Friday (3 days ago), I decided to shave them again. The rash wasn't inflammed, it had just left my armpits scaly and dry. I waited for 2-3 hours after shaving before putting deodorant.
On Saturday and Sunday (the day before yesterday and yesterday) my armpits (especially the left one) felt rather itchy so I didn't shave, I just put deodorant on.
This morning, I noticed that I have the pink rash again on my left underarm. To make matters worse, it is itchy and I can detect a tiny little lump where my two cuts used to be. It is not exactly visible but when I press it with my finger, I can feel something harder under the surface of the skin. The shaving cuts have healed so there's no scar, just the redness of the rash and a tiny lump (about the size of a nut). The rash is itchy and stings and the lump feels painful when I put pressure on it.
I have no insurance right now. I called my doctor and told him the whole story and he is of the opinion that the skin irritation has caused the lump and the pain. He told me that lymphoma causes larger lumps that are painful to the touch. Also, he said that it is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, fevers, anorexia etc.
I am not convinced though.
Can something so simple as a skin irritation because of deodorant/shaving cause a lump?
I am scared to death and I don't know how to treat it.
It sounds like a swollen lymph node in response to an infection. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection . In some cases, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and warm compresses may be all you need. For more serious cases, treatment of swollen lymph nodes involves treating the underlying cause usually infections.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.