This drives infection deeper and creates tunnels.
A surgeon numbs the armpit, uses a scalpel to remove the "roof" of the tunnel (the skin covering the blocked gland tract), leaving the floor intact. This converts a deep tunnel into a shallow, open wound that heals flat in 4-8 weeks. Recurrence rate: ~15%.
For a single inflamed nodule, injecting a low-dose steroid (triamcinolone) directly into the lump reduces inflammation within 24-48 hours, often dissolving the blockage without drainage. Step 3: Systemic Medications (Moderate to Severe HS) If you have multiple blocked glands or recurring flares, topical creams will not work. You need medication that calms the immune system.
HS occurs when sweat glands (specifically apocrine glands) and hair follicles become blocked, leading to inflammation, infection, and scarring. While the armpit is the most common location (followed by the groin and under the breasts), treating this condition is notoriously difficult because it is not a standard infection—it is an auto-inflammatory disorder.
For severe, scarred armpits, the surgeon cuts out all the skin containing sweat glands down to the fascia (muscle covering). The wound is either stitched closed or left to heal via skin graft. Downside: Long recovery (6-12 weeks) and potential arm mobility issues.
Introduction: More Than Just a Pimple Finding a painful lump under your arm can be alarming. Most people assume it is a typical ingrown hair, a cyst, or an infected sweat gland from using antiperspirant. However, for millions of people, these recurring, painful lumps are a sign of a chronic inflammatory skin condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) .
This article provides a medical overview of why blockages occur and the full spectrum of treatments, from home care to advanced surgical intervention. To understand treatment, you must understand the mechanism. Unlike the tiny eccrine glands that cool you down, apocrine glands in the armpit secrete a thicker fluid into the hair follicle. In HS, the follicle becomes clogged with keratin (skin protein) and sweat.
A doctor numbs the area, makes a small cut, and drains the pus. Warning: While I&D provides immediate relief, the blockage frequently returns (30-50% recurrence rate).