small lump in armpit

[jakey2]

I'm 34 yrs old female, in general good health.  However, 40pds overweight.  No history of any cancer in my family.  I work out 40 mins everyday.  This past Saturday the 26th, my left armpit area was irritating me, I say irritating because it felt like a razor burn.  I felt my underarm and found a pea size lump.  I did a self breast exam and do not feel any other lumps.  On Thursday the 24th, I did shave my underarm, with a week old razor.  The lump is small, hard, and I don't have to press down on my skin to feel it, the skin feels somewhat raised, but the lump also feels alittle deep.  However the lump isn't noticable to the eye. It does hurt when I touch it and for a little while afterwards, but then pain goes away, at times it can be alittle itchy.   I've looked in a minor and don't see really anything out of the ordinary, such as a sore.  I know that it can be many thing, cyst, in grown hair, even a sign of breast cancer.  I've never had an in grown hair so I'm not sure if there would be obvious signs of that.  Looking for advice on how long I should wait to see a doctor, and should I go to a Dermatolgist or Gynologist.  And what else could this be, I feel healthy otherwise. What other things can this be.  I'm very anxious and nerves about this.  Please help!

[tarponfly]

A related discussion, Quarter size bump under arm pit was started.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Any lump under the armpit (axilla) is concerning.  It could be something as little as a cyst or inflamed hair follicle, but suspicious lymph nodes also present in this area.  

Because of this possibility, I would consider a referral to a general surgeon for further evaluation.  If the surgeon believes that the lump is suspicious, a biopsy can be arranged.  

I would discuss this option with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

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[bossyb]

I noticed a lump under my armpit about 8 weeks ago.  Didn't take much notice because I thought it was just from shaving.  When I was pregnant with my first child, I had a small lump on my neck, I had an MRI to see if it was something serious but the results came back negative, just a few swollen lymphnodes, which I got told will subside in time, and it did.  At the start, the lump under my armpit was itchy that's why I thought it was just a swollen hair follicle from shaving, but I've been checking it everynow and then, and it seems to be getting a little sore.  It hasn't been moving or getting any bigger (I think).  I am a bit concerned and worried too specially if it's something serious.  I am 7 months pregnant with my 2nd baby.  If it has to come out, or needs treatment, I really can't have anything done until I give birth......I haven't told my husband about my concern.  I didn't want to worry him too!

[glucose]

I have a lump in my armpit and a couple of months ago went to the doctor. I had to have a mammogram and ultrasound. The results came back clear. I still don't know what's causing the swollen lymph gland and am considering another vist to the doctor. The doctor said when he first felt the lump it didn't feel hard enough to be cancerous.

[Jobie_5]

Im 16 years old and I have found a lump under my arm pit, I lost both grandparents to cancer so in the back of my mind im worried it could be some sort of cancer.
It hasn't been there for long but it's quite sore, I looked it up on the interent and a possibility is that it is a swolen gland, its larger that a pea size. Im just worried it could be something! please help

[Punchie]

Could this be from changing deodorant or shaving?

[C.Mc]

My 5 Year old has had a lump in her arm pit for 3 years. It's smaller than a marble but larger than a pea. The Dr. doesn't say much when I ask her about it. She just says maybe the cat has scratched her. But it has been so long and besides she doesn't get scratched by our cat an a regular basis. Does any one know what could cause this and should I see another Dr.?

[jakey2]

Thanks De-De, I will keep you posted. I'm making an appointment today with another doctor.  After this weekend I thought its probably the best thing to do, if for nothing else to ease my mind.

[De-De]

So glad you got with your Dr.  If getting a second opinion will ease your mind and give you peace, then by all means do it.  If you're afraid of offending your Dr., he doesn't need to know.  If he does get offended, then get rid of him and find a new one!  

My lumps have finally disappeared and no more pain.  I've still got another few weeks on the antibiotic.  I'll continue faithfully to get rid of this bug.

Hang in there and keep us posted!

[jakey2]

i saw the dr yesterday, said it was a swollen lymph node.  He said it wasn't isnt anything to worry about and the size is very small and it doesn't even appear to need antibotics.  He said it should resolve itself in about 2 weeks.  I'm feeling better about it now that I saw a doc. but do you think I should get a second opinion.  I just dont want it to be anything more serious, obviously.

thanks!

[jakey2]

again, many thanks for the advice and input.  Its nice to know that I'm not alone here.  I'm waiting for a call from my Dr to see when I can go in and see her.  If I can't see her, I think I'll make an appointment with my gyno.  Although it is sooooo hard not to worry, I'm trying to stay optimistic, its just hard, thoughts go everywhere.

[jakey2]

Thank you for the comment and reassurance.  I guess my mind can do and think the craziest and worst thing.  Anyway, what is an INT Doctor? sorry for the dumb question.  Also, just after my shower tonight I took at look in the mirror to see if I can tell more closely what it is, the lump is under the skin, round, pea size, hard, I squeeze it and it looked like there was puss coming out of a pour.  Anyway, how long should I wait to see a doctor? 1 week?

[planetmars]

int doc...Internal medicine doctor or your family doctor.  I also think (without bieng a doctor) that it is probably an ingrown hair.  You say you shaved with a dull razor, and it could be under your skin.  I have heard of people who have their glands swolen by ingorwn hairs!!  I would go to the doctor soon, if not to find out what it is, but releive you of what it isn't!!   I also wanted to state when I said you do have them under your pit, I was saying you do have lymph nodes under there not that what you have under there IS a swollen lymph node, just that they are located there too and it could be something to do with lymph node instead of breast or tumer.... Good Luck!

[planetmars]

Let me know what the doc tells you!!
***@****

God luck, try not to worry (although I know it is implssible)

[De-De]

I'm just going through this same problem.  On 3/1 awoke with  two painful lumps in my left armpit.  I immediately called my Dr., he saw me next day.  They were swollen, hot and painful. He looked at them and said folliculitis (fancy name for infected hair follicle).  He prescribed antibiotics for 10 days.  It took the pain away after 3 days and considerably shrunk the lump.  Was off the antibiotics for approximately 10 days when low and behold, 3 more popped up (1 in the armpit, 1 in the groin and another have mercy was in my privates).  Back to the Dr., he said now I have to be on the antibiotic for 30 days and that he felt it was a staph infection.  In addition, I've got to put bacitracin in my nose at bedtime for 3 weeks.  He advised that staph is a common bacteria that everyone has on their body.  It actually lives in the nose.  You see, I had been ill with a viral thingy for about 4 weeks before the outbreak.  It seems as though my immune system was depressed and the bacteria was able to get a good hold on me.  Hopefully, we can get rid of this, cause it's miserable and I don't know what we'd do next.  Hang in there.

[jakey2]

Thank you very much for the advice again, I'm deathly afraid, but I will make an appointment with my doctor this week.