Armpit lump

This morning when I was putting deodorant on I noticed a small (probably smaller than pea-sized) lump under the skin in my right armpit. It hurts slightly when I touch it but other than that I would hardly know its there. I know the smart thing to do is to go see a doctor (i heard a lump under the armpit is a symptom of breast cancer :s-smilie:

) but I also know that lumps like that can be common and simply because of shaving or using certain kinds of deodorant. So basically...do you think I would be right to leave it, say, a week and then if it hasn't improved go to the doctors? Advice please :frown:

Reply 1

dh00001

16

yes i would say go to a doctor. i have a small lump just below my armpit and it turned out to just be a lymph gland, but if youre concerned go and get it checked

Reply 2

Raindroped

Its probably just an ingrown hair, but if your worried you could go to the doctors.

Reply 3

James

14

To echo the above,

;doctor;

It's never worth letting these things go unchecked. You can get a same-day appointment on the NHS, and you have nothing to lose by doing so. I hope it's nothing bad :smile:

Reply 4

Llamaaa

15

If it's just come, I would say DON'T GO TO THE DOCTOR. the doctors surgeries are busy enough without people going whenever the notice something ever so slightly different. Chances are it's your lymph gland which has poppedup to say that it is currently fighting an infection or that it has just finished. Have you felt ill lately? Otherwise it is probably as someone else said, an ingrown hair. It may even be a spot. But please don't waste doctors' valuable time on something so trivial. You will be stopping people who are much more ill getting an appointment

Reply 5

James

14

Hmm... I'm not sure I entirely agree, although you make a good point. We all know our bodies pretty well, so I doubt the OP would have taken the time to post here if it were just a spot or routine inflammation.

One alternative is to call NHS Direct. They will be able to advise whether you need to see a doctor or not :smile:

Reply 6

Annie72

17

Personally, If I found a lump I would be down the doctors quickly. It may just turn out to be an ingrowing hair or a lymph gland, but at least it will put your mind at rest. :smile:

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

OP

helenkr

If it's just come, I would say DON'T GO TO THE DOCTOR. the doctors surgeries are busy enough without people going whenever the notice something ever so slightly different. Chances are it's your lymph gland which has poppedup to say that it is currently fighting an infection or that it has just finished. Have you felt ill lately? Otherwise it is probably as someone else said, an ingrown hair. It may even be a spot. But please don't waste doctors' valuable time on something so trivial. You will be stopping people who are much more ill getting an appointment

Yeah, thats kind of what I was getting at when I said I wasn't sure whether to go straight away, especially as it seems to be a common problem. And yeah I have been ill lately...just a minor cold- haven't got much sleep lately which I think caused it. Do you think that might be it then?

Thanks everyone for the replies so far :smile:

Reply 8

Notebooksecrets

11

Anonymous

Yeah, thats kind of what I was getting at when I said I wasn't sure whether to go straight away, especially as it seems to be a common problem. And yeah I have been ill lately...just a minor cold- haven't got much sleep lately which I think caused it. Do you think that might be it then?

Thanks everyone for the replies so far :smile:

Sounds like a lymph gland to me. I had something of the same description after I had tonsillitis and it went after about a week or so.

Reply 9

Segat1

16

I had a large lump under my arm, which wasn't a lymph gland. It was an infected cycst, and had to be drained. So if you're worried about it get it checked out.

Reply 10

rachel_64

2

My advise would be leave it a day or two, because if it is just an ingrown hair or pore blockage from deoderant it should clear up pretty quickly. But if it persists then definately go to the docs

Reply 11

Triplet1

13

rachel_64

My advise would be leave it a day or two, because if it is just an ingrown hair or pore blockage from deoderant it should clear up pretty quickly. But if it persists then definately go to the docs

If everyone went to the doctor with a small lump under there arm... which is most probably from shaving that would be crazy :eek3:

Reply 12

notsoperfect

1

i used to get those all the time but they stopped. it's probably nothing to worry about, but you should see your doctor if it doesn't go after a while.

Reply 13

Anonymous #1

OP

No it's not red...thanks everyone.

Reply 14

Anonymous #1

OP

I just realised...this morning I woke up with loads of mouth ulcers, and last night I got a big rash on my upper arm (opposite arm to the lump though) and the rash has come back this evening.

Ulcers, rash and lump all in one day- that cant be a coincidence can it??

Reply 15

James

14

The good news: This means your lump probably isn't anything as nasty as cancer.

The bad news: There's definitely something wrong with you!

In the first instance, I suggest calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. :smile:

Reply 16

kinkajou

15

this sounds like a case for Dr House

Reply 17

Anonymous #2

Id go to the doctor, I found a lump under my arm pit and went and saw a GP straight away, altho it was really scary to go.

Any hows I was examined and the GP decided (to be safe and if it was bad its best to know early) to refer me to a breast clinic. Had a scan and they found 4 smaller than peas, sized lumps 2 near my armpits and 2 in my breasts, i didnt think anythin about them before because people say its normal to have slightly lumpy breasts and stuff.

I had to have biopsys done on them all and wait for results - worse week of my life! Turnt out to be fiberous lumps which are fine - still need checks every 2-3 years to make sure they are not concealing anythin more nasty but still...best to know.

Reply 18

Mini-Cooper

7

I had (on two occasions) a lump in my armpit but it cleared up in a few days, so wait and it might do the same. (I'm the sort of person that would only go to the doctor if my leg was hanging off though)
I also got them behind my knees and one on my stomach as well and ironically, when I did decide to go to the doctor the lump had disappeared by the time I got there (i did have to book several days in advance). I haven't had any since.
Be patient and it may just go with time..

Reply 19

Anonymous #1

OP

Thanks everyone...it would make sense if they are glands because my glands always swell up in my neck when I am ill, so I guess this is the same kind of thing. It definitely feels better today anyway :smile:

Thanks for the reassurance.

Armpit lump

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