Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is rare, long-term skin condition that features small, painful lumps under the skin. The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation,...

1,904 Members
4,903 Posts
0 Online
Skin & Hair
/ Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Flare up under armpit

alyssarichie
alyssarichie
For the past four days my HS went from the size of a bottle cap to the size of a baseball. It's only my left arm. OMG the pain is awful!!! Finally have a appointment with my dermatologist today! Hope they can help me. I can move my arm. I can't dress myself, brush my hair or do my makeup. I feel miserable. The pain reminds me of a stabbing sharp pain. Even going somewhere in the car irritates it so much I just want to cry. My poor arm is so tired of being crossed and held against my chest. I just feel like giving up all hope.
What has everyone else done when they get this big? I'm hoping my dr. Will lance it so take the pressure off at least. Of course I'm not looking forward to the pain associated with that either.
Please let me know if you know anything to help prevent it from getting this large.
luvmycapt
luvmycapt
You poor thing!!! I am so sorry you are going through this. I have never had one that big, but if the dermatologist doesn't give you relief of some kind don't be afraid to pursue other avenues of help. Keep us updated after your appointment.
tonster76
tonster76
I've got one in that area that gets that big occasionally... really seems unnatural but has eventually returned back to a fairly dormant scar. It always does what it wants to do... pushing it and poking It can make it worse, even through you want to burst it... you can complicate it and make it bigger.

Also walking around with arms out like clothes hangers... I usually just let it run its coarse. When it does burst make sure you get iodine or something on there as an antibacterial and avoid secondary infections.

If possible, make a really special note of what you ate 5 days ago (12 hrs) before it went nuts. For me it turned out to be potatoes... wedges... quite likely you have a trigger food too.. especially if you compounded it with a few more servings since.

Good luck, it's no fun is it. Once it discharges the dermatologist might give you some antibiotics... quite often they can't do anything even when you're screaming to lance it. Mine seeped or about 12 !months before going on strong antibiotics.
macdenise
macdenise
Yes!! Arm pit is the worst. For me was the worst to recover from. Who knew how many nerves were under your arm until you have HS in your arm pit. Nerve pain does help! Mine started out like yours. I did everything to help it go away. I had thought I hurt my arm at work bc I was in so much pain. Trying to do things on my own made things worse. Especially going to work! 4 surgeries later I'm still dealing with mine. I hope yours has gone away by now? Sensi care proctive barrier does help. Hot compress, and tea tree oil. Keeping the area dry will help too.