painful lump under armpit

hi i first got this lump 2 years ago when i was pregnant which then went down when i had the baby. Im 24 weeks pregnant and lump has come back bigger and very painful, doctor said was a cyst checked me boobs found no lumps and gave me antibiotics which didnt help at all. im very worried as this lump is getting bigger and more painful and if it is left can it turn into something more serious?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

This kind of bump can be a swollen lymph node,a sebaceous cyst or a boil. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection along with other numerous causes.Treatment is usually cold compresses,over the counter anti-inflammatory analgesics(pain killers) like acetaminophen or ibuprofen,antibiotics if cause of infection is suspected to be a bacteria and surgical drainage if there is any abscess formation.

Sebaceous cyst is a closed sac or cyst and fills with a fatty white, semi-solid material called sebum produced by sebaceous glands of the epidermis.It is usually painless but can become painful if infected.Then antibiotics are needed.

Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle be staph aureus.Treatment includes antibiotics.

I think that you should get it evaluated and a biopsy and mammogram done(after delivery) as if it is a lymph node then breast analysis has to be done.Hope it helps.Take care and regards.