Armpit Treatment | Blocked Sweat Gland

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%. blocked sweat gland armpit treatment

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). This drives infection deeper and creates tunnels

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. Recurrence rate: ~15%

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.

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 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%.

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).

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.

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.

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) .