underarm cyst for years

i have been having this cyst problem for 7 years now. it seems like the older i get the more i get. now i am getting 4 underarm cyst a week and very painful. i have tried hot rags every four hours, meds. nothing worked. i dont know what to do at this time and i am really bad pain. is there anything i need to do and is there any surgery i need to get done? please help

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like a sebaceous cyst to me. A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac occurring just under the skin which contains a "pasty" or "cheesy" looking substance called keratin. They may occur anywhere on body but scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites for sebaceous cysts. Blocked sebaceous glands, swollen hair follicles and excessive testosterone production will cause such cysts.

Generally no treatment is required but they become painful then it means they are infected, Then surgical excision by traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision may be required.

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.