The pintails in the armpits medically called hidradenitis or axillary hidradenitis suppurativa are a few hard bumps that appear in this part of the body accordingly in inflammation and infection of the sweat glands present. These lumps can be very painful and contain an accumulation of pus that may drain over the days. It is essential to maintain impeccable hygiene in the area and apply some topical drug that reduces inflammation and promotes healing for its healing. It is advisable to consult with the doctor since, in some cases, it will be necessary to start a specific antibiotic treatment.
Keep reading this article by FastlyHealto to know what the swallow is in the armpit, its symptoms, and its treatment.
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What is it, and why does a swallow appear in the armpit
The pintail or axillary hidradenitis can be defined as inflammation and infection in the follicular canal (output hair) underarm, where the sebaceous and sweat glands are. When this channel becomes clogged due to an excess of waste, bacteria, sebum, work, etc., it is when a hard nodule or lump can appear in the armpit, which is what is known concretely and colloquially as a swallow.
Among the main factors that can favor its appearance are conditions such as the following: excessive sweating, overweight, stress, waxing, wearing very tight clothing, use of some antiperspirants, lack of hygiene, diabetes, smoking, acne, etc. It is a much more common condition in women and usually manifests for the first time during puberty.
In addition, it should be noted that it is a chronic condition that manifests itself through outbreaks, so there will be periods in which its symptoms are not suffered. There will be others in which they will reappear, and appropriate treatment must be started.
Symptoms of axillary hidradenitis
As we have commented previously, when you suffer from axillary hidradenitis suppurativa, inactive periods alternate; that is, there are no symptoms, with other active ones in which skin lesions and the signs that we will detail below appear.
In the following lines, we indicate the evolution of this condition and what are the most common symptoms of a swallow in the armpit :
- First, intermittent pain and excess sensitivity in the affected armpit area.
- Subsequently, a hard nodule or purple or purple lump appears in the painful area with a very similar appearance to a boil. This usually has a size of 0.5 to 5 cm in diameter.
- This lump or lump can be itchy and painful.
- The nodule may ooze and drain sticky, yellowish pus in the following days or on occasion, which gives off a very unpleasant odor. This suppuration can occur spontaneously or just after touching the lesion.
In general, this symptomatic picture occurs only at the skin level; however, when the lesions are more severe and profound, very painful protruding plaques or fistulas may form, which do not remit easily and are usually suppurate leave scars.
Medical treatment for swallows
If the appearance of a swallow in the armpit causes a lot of pain and hinders the affected person from carrying out their daily tasks, it will be essential to consult a doctor or a professional dermatologist. In this way, the doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment in each case. This can range from topical drugs, such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, and retinoids, to medications administered orally, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Only in those cases in which the medications do not work and fail to slow down the evolutionary process of the disease will the doctor assess whether it is necessary to carry out a minor surgical intervention to eliminate the swallow permanently. If this is the case, an incision will be made in the lesion, and all the purulent material inside will be drained. Next, antibiotic treatment will be prescribed to finish clearing the infection completely. In extreme cases, other traditional surgical techniques or laser therapy may be necessary.
Care and aspects to consider in case of axillary hidradenitis.
In addition to medical treatment, the care that the affected person provides to the affected area daily and their lifestyle habits are essential for a speedy recovery, for the skin of the armpit to heal correctly, and for pain, if it exists to disappear.
First of all, it is necessary to maintain good hygiene of the damaged area and, for this, you should wash the armpit with water and a little soap of neutral pH, which does not contain irritating components or fragrances. Subsequently, you can apply a little drying powder to the area, such as talcum powder.
Apart from good hygiene, it is essential to take into account recommendations such as the following to control outbreaks of axillary hidradenitis and reduce the severity of the symptoms caused by the appearance of swallows in this part of the body:
- Place warm water compresses on skin lesions for about 10 minutes to reduce discomfort.
- Keep the skin of the armpit dry and fresh, avoiding it being damp or sweaty. If you need specific deodorants, it is best to consult your dermatologist.
- Wear comfortable and loose clothing to reduce friction with the skin and prevent injuries from worsening.
- Do not depilate the armpits with a razor, as shaving can promote skin irritation and infection.
- Take care of your diet and lose weight if you are overweight because, as we have pointed out above, it is one of the factors that can trigger the disease.
- Stop smoking to reduce the severity of flare-ups.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.