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What Causes Painful Swelling Under Left Arm?
Question: I have swelling under my left arm about 4 inches from the armpit. It itches then sometimes gets painful and enlarges. Then it will ooze some foul smelling red liquid. After it heals the swelling is gone but it come s back.
Brief Answer:
Recurrent sebaceous cyst
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male 62 - swelling under left arm - 4 inches from armpit - itching > painful > enlarges > oozes foul smelling red liquid > heals > swelling is gone > comes back...
This looks be a classical infected sebaceous cyst as per the description given by you. Since all the material except the secretary membrane goes out it vanishes to reappear as the secretary wall secretes the sebum which gets infected to have the same process.
I would advise you the following:
Consult a General Surgeon so that when it is enlarged a bit, it can be excised in-toto to have a cure. The material should be sent for the histopathological examination which will give you the most definitive diagnosis and you get rid of the disease also.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Regards
Recurrent sebaceous cyst
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male 62 - swelling under left arm - 4 inches from armpit - itching > painful > enlarges > oozes foul smelling red liquid > heals > swelling is gone > comes back...
This looks be a classical infected sebaceous cyst as per the description given by you. Since all the material except the secretary membrane goes out it vanishes to reappear as the secretary wall secretes the sebum which gets infected to have the same process.
I would advise you the following:
Consult a General Surgeon so that when it is enlarged a bit, it can be excised in-toto to have a cure. The material should be sent for the histopathological examination which will give you the most definitive diagnosis and you get rid of the disease also.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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