What Causes Lesions Of Folliculitis In The Axilla?

Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2014

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

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 16 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i have boils under the armpits which my GP has said is folliculites and is treating with Augmentin 1 g twice daily for 7 days. My last dose was supposed to be thursday. While the earlier ones are drying up I noticed a new boil yesterday and 1 today as well as a lump that is not red but is painful to touch. My GP has extende the taking of Augmentin to Sunday. wwhich will be 10 days of Auigmentin - I am very concerned

Answered by Dr. Geetika Paul (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Complete antibiotic course

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I understand your concern regarding your skin problem and I hope I am able to help you in the same .
You seem to have developed lesions of folliculitis in the axilla.
Now this is a very common skin condition especially in summer season due to excessive sweating.
Augmentin is a very effective antibiotic used for this condition. Courses of ten to twelve days may be required for complete healing.
You should continue taking the antibiotic as advised by your treating doctor.
But it would be helpful if you apply a topical antibiotic cream like mupirocin or neosporin twice a day over the lesions . This will help in faster healing of the lesions. Also you should clean the affected areas twice a day before applying the medicine .
Do not apply any other cream or oil over the affected areas .
Wear cotton clothes so as to decrease sweating.
You should not use any deodorants over the area till complete healing .

Hope it helps

Please ask if you need any further clarifications

Dr Geetika Paul

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