Armpit infections are often caused by shaving, ingrown hairs, or waxing. Young girls are more at risk. Lumps in the armpits can also be indicative of breast cancer and should be checked by a doctor. Yeast-based infections and cysts can also occur and may require medical attention.
Armpit infections are infections of the skin or lymph nodes located under the armpits. The most frequent cause of these infections is shaving armpit hair which can result in small irritated bumps or cuts in the skin. These bumps or cuts can then be prone to bacterial invasion, leading to infection.
Young girls, who are just starting to shave underarms, are more at risk of underarm infections. These infections can be reduced by using soap and water when shaving and by making sure the razor used is clean. This can usually be accomplished by soaking the razor in rubbing alcohol for about sixty seconds before use.
Underarm infections can also be the result of ingrown hairs that occur after using hair removal creams such as Nair® or when shaving your underarms. Underarm infections of this type can feel like a hard bump that is painful to touch. If such a bump does not clear up with warm compresses within a day or two, or if the bump begins to release pus, you should see a doctor.
In some cases, waxing can lead to armpit infections if a bacteria contaminates the wax. While these infections are rare, those who get such an infection should notify the salon where the waxing was performed and also seek medical attention for treatment with antibiotics.
Often armpit bumps are not indicative of armpit infections, but they are indications of infections elsewhere in the body. The armpits have lymph nodes that can swell when battling bacterial or viral infections. It is not uncommon, especially in children, to have an enlarged lymph node for several months after an illness.
However, lumps in the armpits can also be indicative of breast cancer. So a lump that doesn’t clear up in a few days should always mean getting medical attention quickly. Some women experience breast cancer first with a lump in the armpit. Breast self-exams should always include the underarms to provide a baseline analysis so you can notice differences in subsequent exams.
Occasionally armpit infections are yeast-based infections. This can happen to those who have recently taken antibiotics or those who are immunosuppressed. The armpits may appear red and itchy. They may also have a minor rash. If one has never had a yeast infection under the arms, one should see a doctor. Usually, one will be treated with topical antifungal creams to help rid one of the infection. Any deodorant used during this time should not be shared with other family members and should be discarded a few days after starting treatment to prevent re-infection.
Small cysts can also occur in the armpits and can become infected. These armpit infections may require cyst removal or warm compresses and oral antibiotics to resolve the cysts. A doctor should always evaluate these cysts to rule out cancer. Large cysts may require a needle biopsy to be sure the lump is benign.
You can often tell the difference between cysts and nodules caused by cancer because cysts tend to be painful, while nodules are not. However, this alone is not enough to rule out cancer. Any lump in the axillary regions needs a medical evaluation.
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