painful and slightly swollen armpit lump

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.

[Ken_PA]

Hi, your doctor has described things very well (except that I suspect you mistyped: Lymphoma is usually painless, not painful).

Also the overwhelming odds say that you wouldn't get lymphoma suddenly under both arms like that, especially right at the spot where you cut yourself.

Most people have had Infectious Mononucleosis (aka Epstein Barr Virus). Sometimes the condition lasts a long time (is chronic).

I wouldn't worry at all about lymphoma, but I would wonder why this cutting and rash happened this time, and not all the other times that you had shaved. E.g., were there raosed bumps on the skin, and then the razor cut them?

[Ken_PA]

Hi, your doctor has described things very well (except that I suspect you mistyped: Lymphoma is usually painless, not painful).

Also the overwhelming odds say that you wouldn't get lymphoma suddenly under both arms like that, especially right at the spot where you cut yourself.

Most people have had Infectious Mononucleosis (aka Epstein Barr Virus). Sometimes the condition lasts a long time (is chronic).

I wouldn't worry at all about lymphoma, but I would wonder why this cutting and rash happened this time, and not all the other times that you had shaved. E.g., were there raosed bumps on the skin, and then the razor cut them?

[mariaterzian]

yes, i agree with your doctor. It seems you have sensitive skin so try another deodorant aluminium free and try to use a gentle shaving cream. Also try to keep your armpits dry. No need to worry.