What Is The Cause And Cure For Intermittent Painful Boils Under Armpits?

Posted on Thu, 19 Dec 2013

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

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 Answered on

Sun, 5 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I seem to getting really painful boils under my armpits.. They come and go. What can I do to stop this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Details below Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query, You might be suffering from a condition called as Hidradenitis suppurativa. It presents with boils in arm pit. Can you send a photograph of the lesions. This will help me in giving a closer diagnosis and a better line of management. Waiting for your response Thank you

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (5 minutes later)

Here you go. It's reddish, and sore. It's not as large as other ones I've had before though.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Details below Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the photograph. These are recurrent folliculitis. A bacterial infection. You need treatment with oral and topical antibiotics. Amoxicillin will be better. Apply ointment mupirocine twice daily. Actually nostrils serve as a source of recurrent infection. Please apply the ointment even in your nostrils. This will prevent recurrent infection. Let me know if you have any other doubts. Thank you

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