Yesterday I discovered a lump in my
armpit. It's not attached to anything and
is pretty round, about a centimeter in
diameter. For many months i've noticed
some irritation there, beginning after I
shaved my armpits once. I just thought it
was some reaction from that, but now
finding that lump there, im concerned. Im
not sure if it's a swollen lymph node, or
a cyst, or something else entirely. I've
scheduled a doctors appointment, but hope
to find some kind of understanding prior.
I've read that swollen lymph nodes can be
an early sign of hiv infection, and last
year there were two instances that would
put me at risk with partners of unknown
status. I plan to get tested soon, but in
the meantime I'm hoping to understand this
better as well. I only have the one lump,
and hiv is usually indicated by more then
one? Also, my hand on the arm with the
lump, that hand frequently gets impetigo
ever since I was a child. Im not sure what
kind of impetigo, though judging from
descriptions and photos on the web, my
best guess is bollus impetigo. Could this
lead to a swollen lymph node there?
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2116 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 05-13-08 05:06am
Is this lump painful?
Did the swelling appear suddenly?
What kind of irritation you had there
(skin irritation)?
Cysts and superficial infections in the
skin of the armpit may follow shaving or
use of antiperspirants, occurring most
frequently in adolescents just beginning
to shave.
Swelling is probably due to your skin
infectious lesions, because this occurs
even if the infection is trivial or not
apparent (even a scratch on your arm can
cause swollen lymph node)
Do you get blister-like lesions on your
hand?
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tellyer
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10
Re: Posted: 05-13-08 13:04pm
The lump is a little painful when I
squeeze it. I'm not sure how long the
swelling has been there, in the past when
I first noticed an irritation, I never
thought to check for lumps, so never felt
the area.
And yes, I do get blister like lesions on
my hand periodically since I was a
teenager.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2116 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 36
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Posted: 05-14-08 04:16am
Minor skin infections and irritations can
cause lymph nodes to double in size
quickly over 2 or 3 days (bacterial
infection as impetigo usually will cause
the lymph node to swell to the size larger
then 1 inch or 2.5 cm across).
They return slowly to normal size over the
next 2 to 4 weeks. However, they won't
disappear completely.
Try to avoid poking and squeezing lymph
nodes, cause this may keep them from
shrinking back to normal size.
Is this lymph node painful to touch (not
only squeezing), too?
Do the lesions burst and scab over with a
yellow-colored crust?
Have you been treated with antibiotic for
this skin lesions?
How often you get them?
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tellyer
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10
Posted: 05-14-08 08:06am
It's not painful to touch, just when you
squeeze it.
As for the lesions, they're more blister
like, and sometimes they burst, but more
often then not they just turn a golden
orange color and slowly disapear. I
haven't been treated with an antibiotic
for it, though I will certainly bring it
up at my doctors appointment. I get them
pretty frequently, having one or two as
often as I don't have any.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2116 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 36
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Posted: 05-15-08 03:18am
You should see your doctor for the
impetigo treatment as soon as possible.
This is a contagious skin disease, that
need prompt medical attention, cause can
affect your deeper skin and your blood if
left untreated.
Also, by scratching the lesions and
touching other parts of your body, you can
spread it to different parts of your skin
(mouth, nose, forearm).
You can infect anyone who comes into
contact with your infected skin or other
items, such as clothing, towels, and bed
linens, that have been touched by infected
skin.
Do the fluid-containing blisters appear
clear, not cloudy?
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tellyer
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10
Posted: 05-15-08 07:46am
They appear clear.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2116 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 36
Thanked:11
Posted: 05-19-08 05:10am
Blisters that are more likely to stay
intact longer on the skin without
bursting, contained with fluid that appear
clear, then cloudy are caused by bacteria
staphylococcus aureus.
Do you usually get skin injured at your
hands?
Are you prone to eczema?
Do you play some close contact sports?
