Lump in my left underarm! Really worried...?!
Question: I'm 16 and... Well I've had a lump in my underarm for a couple of months now. I didn't worry about it because when I didn't have my menstruation i could barely feel it. But when I have my menstruation it seems to become more definite. I'm really scared as to what it might be. It seems to have gotten a bit bigger... I'm not sure... Also, it seems to get more irritated when I put roll on deodarant on. It's about the size of a peanut shell. What could it be? I'm really worried.
Answers: I'm 16 and... Well I've had a lump in my underarm for a couple of months now. I didn't worry about it because when I didn't have my menstruation i could barely feel it. But when I have my menstruation it seems to become more definite. I'm really scared as to what it might be. It seems to have gotten a bit bigger... I'm not sure... Also, it seems to get more irritated when I put roll on deodarant on. It's about the size of a peanut shell. What could it be? I'm really worried.
my sister had this experience when she was 17. the doctor ran tests and discovered it was a hormonal imbalance due to puberty! crazily enough, the hormonal imbalance made her develop a little lump in her underarm. it required no treatment and took care of itself in time.
my mother also had a lump in her underarm when she was 40. they thought it was cancerous so they removed it, only to discover it was solidified fat just under the skins surface. a bit painful, but otherwise completely harmless.
it could be as simple as a blind pimple, or a cyst, or a inflamed or infected follicle. document how it feels, how it changes regarding your cycle, and then see your doctor about it.
i'm sure you'll be fine.
Maybe its a sign of leukemia or cancer cells.. go to the doctor for early diagnosis and treatment.
Women often get cysts that change in size through their cycle. It could be any number of things, but you wont feel better until you know what it is! Go to the doctor, they will do an exam, maybe a mammogram and a biopsy.
It might be an infected sweat gland or an infected hair folicle. You best bet is to go and see a doctor to get a professional opinion :)
god i HATE these people that automatically respond assuming everything's cancer!!
the other two responses were far more sensible - it could be anything from a cyst to a hair follicle or even a swollen lymph node.
either way get it checked out and really try not to panic about what it might be.
hope that helps :o)
Sweetie, you could have a blocked oil duct, this happens to me, and it gets irritated when you have your menstrual cycle due to the increased oil production during these times. But to be on the safe side I would see either a gyno or doctor just to rule out other possibilities.