What Causes A Cluster Of Small Red Bumps Under The Armpit?

Posted on Sun, 14 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 14 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I had several small red bumps under my armpits on Thursday. On Friday it became a larger red bump. Yesterday some of the bumps have moved down my arms. some are circular. The redness under my armpits have gone, but it's now spreading down my arms. it's also in my groin area, but not spreading down my legs. I went to urgent care yesterday and they did blood tests and said that my blood work came back with white cells fine.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ringworm

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
To me these areas look like typical ringworm. Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal/yeast infection called tinea corporis. It is easily treated with antifungal medications. The most effective one you can buy is over the counter and it is called terbinifine or Lamisil. Use a small amount on all the patches twice a day. Use it until they are gone and then for about another week. This cream is expensive so really just use a thin layer, that is all you need. It may say on the packaging that it is for jock itch, but really it is just a very good antifungal medication.
I hope you get some relief soon
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar