Waxing with a blade, sharing deodorants or lending a bath towel can be the cause of having swallows in the armpits. These annoying lumps are inflammation of the sweat glands, which have nothing to do with the appearance of a simple pimple.
The medical name given to this disease is hidradenitis suppurativa. It is estimated that it affects almost 4% of the population, although it is three times higher in women than in men. It usually appears after puberty and has a large genetic component. It is a serious pathology since, although it does not put the life of those who suffer from it at risk, it affects both self-esteem and the person's quality of life.
Why do women suffer more swallows?
The truth is that swallows cause a lot of pain for weeks or months and, sometimes, it is accompanied by the continuous segregation of an unpleasant-smelling liquid from that area.
Studies show that women are the ones who suffer from this problem to a greater extent. The hormonal swings during the menstrual cycle tend to aggravate the situation. Even after menopause, most women tend to feel much better. Other influencing factors are stress, excess weight, humidity and heat.
However, it is important for women to do monthly self-exams of their breasts and the areas around them. A lump under the arm could be a symptom of breast cancer, so you should see a doctor immediately. In this case, the lump in the armpits may be the so-called hidradenitis suppurativa.
Main symptom of the swallows reveal blackheads or comedones, red bumps in the armpit that hurt a lot when touched, discharge of pus with an unpleasant odor or itching in the area. Even, over time, fistulas may appear, which are a kind of tunnels that connect the bumps under the skin.
There is no apparent cause
The inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit does not seem to have an exact origin. The ducts through which the sudor They become clogged and an infection occurs in the area, since heat and humidity favor the proliferation of bacteria.
This same obstruction causes the pus formed by the infection to accumulate and end up forming an abscess under the armpit skin. This causes pain and can even make it difficult to move your arm. Most commonly, these abscesses burst and expel a discharge that smells bad and is very unpleasant.
Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease, but there are treatment options to control pain and help heal wounds. It is important to go to the doctor to recommend the best treatment for each case. Antibiotics are usually used to reduce infection in the area, as well as injected steroids to reduce inflammation and pain. In addition, pain relievers are also administered to alleviate discomfort. However, self-medication without expert supervision is not recommended.