Inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit is a very common problem, which in medicine is known as the term "hydradenitis." The ailment is accompanied by an accumulation of pus in the affected gland, as well as constant discomfort, pain and swelling.
That is why many people are interested in additional information about why sweat gland inflammation develops in the armpit. Symptoms, treatment, and possible complications are information that you must definitely familiarize yourself with.
Hydradenitis: general information
Hydradenitis is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the sweat glands. The glands located in the armpit area are most susceptible to the inflammatory process.
Hydradenitis does not develop in children of preschool and primary school age, as well as in elderly patients. According to statistics, 85% of patients with sweat gland inflammation are women aged 16 to 55 years.
Inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit: causes
Of course, to begin with, it is worthwhile to understand the causes of the development of the ailment, because it is on this that the treatment regimen chosen by the doctor largely depends.
In most cases, inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit is associated with the activity of pathogenic bacteria. According to statistics, most often the role of the pathogen is played by Staphylococcus aureus. Most often, microorganisms penetrate the gland from the outside, through its duct. This often happens with various skin lesions, for example, during hair removal, or shaving, as well as as a result of constant rubbing of the skin on the fabric.
By the way, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is also potentially dangerous. The skin in the armpits constantly gets wet, the tissues macerate, which leads to a weakening of barrier functions. Pathogens in such conditions are much easier to penetrate into the sweat gland or deep skin layers.
Infection, by the way, can enter the tissues not only from the external environment. Infection is often spread throughout the body along with the flow of blood and lymph. Of course, this happens only against the background of a weakened immune system.
Key risk factors
Of course, inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit is associated with the activity of staphylococcal infection. Nevertheless, the likelihood of developing an ailment is much higher if the body is greatly weakened.
That is why it is worth exploring risk factors:
- diabetes mellitus (accompanied by serious hormonal disorders and weakened immunity);
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- tuberculosis;
- the presence of HIV infection, as well as other immunodeficiency conditions;
- toxoplasmosis;
- helminth infections (pinworm infestation, roundworm, etc.);
- rheumatic diseases;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- anemia (tissues do not receive enough oxygen, which weakens their barrier function);
- following a strict diet (this depletes the body, making it more susceptible);
- improper nutrition (again, leads to the development of vitamin deficiencies);
- obesity (overweight people often suffer from hormonal disorders and excessive sweating);
- severe hypothermia (local or general);
- period of pregnancy (associated with hormonal changes).
All these diseases significantly weaken the body's defenses, adversely affect the state of immunity, making the skin more susceptible to infection.
By the way, the inflammatory process can develop against the background of an allergic reaction caused by the use of poor-quality cosmetics: antiperspirants, washing gels, etc.
Inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit: photos and symptoms
As a rule, the development cycle of hydradenitis takes about two weeks. Symptoms of sweat gland inflammation in the armpit depend on the stage of development of the disease:
- First, a small nodule appears in the armpit area - its diameter does not exceed 1-2 cm.
- Gradually, the neoplasm is growing. There is severe itching, and then pain, which causes a person a lot of inconvenience.
- Around the nodule, small black pimples form - these are the sebaceous glands, the ducts of which are blocked by a horn plug.
- The inflammatory process and the formation of pus is associated with stagnation of blood - as a result of which the skin in the area of hydradenitis acquires a reddish color, sometimes with a blue or purple hue.
- There are also general symptoms of intoxication. Patients complain of weakness, nausea, joint pain, body aches. Body temperature rises.
- Tissues in the armpit swell, which leads to compression of the nerve endings. Patients suffer from acute, shooting pain that appears during movements in the shoulder joint.
- Purulent masses continue to accumulate in the soft tissues. Often under the skin you can see white or yellowish pus.
- In the absence of therapy, the abscess is often opened either arbitrarily, or as a result of some kind of injury.
- After opening the hydradenitis, the patient's condition improves - the fever and pain disappear. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to understand that the focus of inflammation remains, and in the absence of therapy, the likelihood of relapse in the near future is very high.
If there are such signs, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to cleanse the tissue from pus and draw up an effective drug treatment regimen.
Possible complications
Inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit lends itself well to therapy. Nevertheless, the likelihood of developing complications should not be ruled out.
Sometimes the purulent process spreads to adjacent soft tissues, which can lead to the development of an abscess, or phlegmon (a large abscess with a dense membrane). If the abscess is not drained in time, then it can open on its own. In this case, purulent masses spread to nearby tissues and often enter the systemic circulation. The most dangerous complication of hydradenitis is sepsis (infection of the whole organism is observed).
According to statistics, such complications, as a rule, develop in the absence of therapy. At risk are patients with a greatly weakened body and diseases of the immune system.
Diagnostic measures
You already know about the causes, symptoms of sweat gland inflammation in the armpit. Having noticed the violations described above, you need to urgently consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to draw up an effective and safe treatment regimen.
Diagnosis of sweat gland inflammation in the armpit is rarely associated with any difficulties. An experienced doctor is enough to examine the skin in the affected area and listen to the patient's complaints.
Of course, further studies are being conducted in the future. For example, a blood test is informative: an increase in ESR, as well as an increase in the number of leukocytes, indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. In addition, samples obtained from the sweat gland are used for bacteriological culture. So, the doctor has the opportunity to accurately determine the type of pathogen and select the appropriate medication.
If there are frequent relapses, the disease is difficult to treat, then the patient is sent to an immunogram - this allows you to check the functioning of the immune system.
Conservative treatment
Since inflammation is associated with the activity of bacterial microorganisms, the treatment regimen necessarily includes the use of antibiotics. Effective are Erythromycin and Doxycycline, Tetracycline. Therapy lasts at least two weeks.
Affected tissues, as well as the skin around the abscess, need to be treated with antiseptic solutions 2-3 times a day. This will help prevent the further spread of bacteria. For disinfection, a solution of salicylic acid, tincture of iodine, zelenka, alcohol is suitable. Also, inflamed tissues are lubricated with Vishnevsky ointment or Levomekol.
If during the tests it was possible to confirm the presence of staphylococcal infection, then specific therapy can be carried out, in particular, the introduction of staphylococcal gamma globulin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to help cope with pain and fever.
Precautions
You need to understand that infections (especially when it comes to staphylococcus) can quickly spread to neighboring, healthy areas of the skin. That is why the area of hydradenitis must be covered with a dry dressing.
Bathtubs will have to be abandoned for a while. You can only take a shower, after gluing the area of inflammation with a bandage with a band-aid. The skin around the abscess should be treated several times a day with antiseptic solutions.
Dietary Tips
The treatment of sweat gland inflammation in the armpit must be supplemented with a proper diet. Dishes should be light, but high in calories. The daily menu must include foods rich in phosphorus and iron. Various berries, blackcurrant, dairy products, nuts, and liver will be useful. Experts recommend drinking fresh fruit juices. Fish and lean meat, but in a boiled form, will be useful. Sweets, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol should be discarded.
Physiotherapy
Medication for inflammation of the gonads in the armpit is necessarily supplemented by physiotherapeutic procedures. UHF and infrared radiation are considered effective. In addition, local UFO therapy, laser therapy and magnetotherapy are sometimes performed. Sometimes patients are prescribed electrophoresis with codeine or dionine. Such procedures, as a rule, are carried out after the inflammatory process was stopped with the help of medications.
Surgical intervention: indications and features
Sometimes it is necessary to let the abscess mature, after which the doctor will be able to open it and clean it from the purulent masses. Warm, moist compresses are not suitable for this, as this leads to maceration of the skin. For warming, sunbathing is suitable (in the warm season). You can heat a towel with an iron, which is then applied to the skin in the armpits.
Warming up the abscesses allows them to mature and soften. And after that, as a rule, hydradenitis needs to be opened. After the tissue incision, the doctor first of all evacuates the purulent masses, after which he carefully removes the infiltrated fatty tissue.
If there are constant relapses, and purification of abscesses and drug therapy do not give the desired effect, then the patient needs a more radical treatment. First, the hydradenitis region is opened and cleaned, but the wound heals in open conditions. The patient takes antibiotics all the time. After the inflammatory process subsides, a complete resection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue is performed. Of course, after this, plastic is needed to help close the defect.
Alternative methods of treatment
Treatment of sweat gland inflammation in the armpit with folk remedies is also possible, but prescriptions can only be used with the permission of a doctor.
- Cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties. Fresh cabbage leaf should be applied to the affected skin, fixed with a bandage and left overnight. To achieve a greater effect, the leaf can be greased with a small amount of natural honey.
- Aloe will help cope with inflammation. Rinse mature leaves thoroughly, rinsing with boiled water, cut lengthwise and apply fleshy side to the affected skin. The compress should remain on the skin for several hours. Aloe has bactericidal properties. Moreover, the leaves of the plant pull pus outward, accelerating the maturation of the abscess.
How to avoid the disease: prevention
The disease is relatively well amenable to therapy, at least reviews testify to this. Treatment of inflammation of the sweat glands in the armpit in most cases ends with a complete recovery. But following some recommendations will help prevent the development of hydradenitis:
- It is important to carefully observe personal hygiene, especially if you suffer from excessive sweating.
- Remember that infection can be introduced during epilation, or shaving armpits.
- It is better to give preference to fairly spacious clothing made from natural fabrics (constant friction in the armpits refers to risk factors).
- Responsibly choose cosmetics and deodorants.
Of course, do not forget about strengthening the immune system. Proper nutrition, physical activity, periodic intake of vitamins - all this will help to increase the stability of skin tissues and various types of infection.