painful bumps under arm

[jessie3333]

I woke up this morning with 4-5 superficial sore bumps under my right arm and 1 under my left arm.  My husband has them too.  What could have caused this??  Really weird.  Im guessing some sort of contact dermatitis???  Just odd because that is the only location that either of us have them.  Any ideas/suggestions?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
Mupirocin and Neosporin are available over the counter but other medicines are available only by prescription.

Kind regards.

[jessie3333]

Thank you for the information!  The staff infection has crossed my mind and I do believe that may be what I am dealing with here.  Are the topicl medications that you noted above available over the counter or do I need a prescription for these?

Thanks again!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be contact dermatitis or bacterial infection by staph aureus which is highly contagious. Apply warm compresses on the lumps and keep the area clean. Topical antiseptic treatment and topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment is very useful. If still the lumps persist then specific treatment like antibiotics, vit A supplements, corticosteroid injections, isotretinoin, antiandrogens and sometimes excision and drainage ,laser therapy and radiotherapy are found useful.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.