| Stage | What you see/feel | Common Symptoms | |-------|-------------------|------------------| | | Small, pea-sized, firm bump under skin | Painless or mild tenderness, sometimes itchy | | Moderate | Red, swollen, painful nodule (like a deep boil) | Moderate to severe pain, warmth to touch | | Severe | Multiple connected bumps, draining pus, tunnels under skin (sinus tracts) | Foul-smelling discharge, chronic pain, scarring |
Blocked sweat glands, also known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), occur when the sweat glands under the skin become clogged, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain. This condition can cause recurring bumps, pimples, or abscesses in the affected area.
Treatment for simple blockage is conservative:
Discovering a painful lump or breakout under your arm can be alarming. While many people refer to this issue as , the underlying medical cause is usually a chronic inflammatory condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) , historically known as acne inversa . It is widely understood that this condition begins with a blockage in the hair follicles, which then traps perspiration and bacteria in the adjacent apocrine sweat glands.
