Hidradenitis Suppurativa: When Armpit Bumps Are More Than Skin-Deep

Not all armpit bumps are just razor burn or irritation. If you’re dealing with deep, painful lumps that come back again and again, it could be something more serious. One possible cause is a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. It’s more common than you might think, but it’s often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS for short, is a chronic skin condition. It causes painful boils, cysts, and lumps to form under the skin, especially in areas where skin rubs together. That includes your underarms, groin, thighs, and even under the breasts.

When it comes to hidradenitis suppurativa in the armpit, the condition can show up as large, painful armpit lumps that feel like deep pimples or cysts. These bumps can break open, drain, and leave behind scars. Unlike a typical pimple or ingrown hair, these don’t go away easily and they often come back in the same spots.

Common signs of hidradenitis suppurativa include:

• Recurring boils under armpits or other sweat-prone areas
• Painful underarm cysts that swell and drain
• Scarring or tunnels under the skin (called sinus tracts)
• Red, tender lumps that feel warm to the touch

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. HS affects about 1 in 100 people, and it often starts after puberty. Women are more likely to get it than men, and it tends to run in families.

What Causes These Painful Armpit Lumps?

Doctors are still learning about the exact underarm bump causes behind HS. But they do know it’s not caused by poor hygiene. In fact, it’s not something you can scrub or clean away.

HS happens when hair follicles (the tiny openings where hairs grow) get blocked. That blockage causes inflammation, which leads to painful bumps and boils. Over time, these can turn into tunnels under the skin or leave thick scars.

Things that might trigger or worsen HS include:

• Hormones (especially around periods or puberty)
• Friction from tight clothes or shaving
• Heat and sweating
• Smoking or a family history of HS

The exact cause may be out of your control, but understanding triggers can help you manage flare-ups.

The Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

HS is a long-term condition, but it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Doctors use something called the Hurley staging system to describe how severe it is. Knowing your stage can help guide hidradenitis suppurativa treatment.

Here’s how the hidradenitis suppurativa stages break down:

• Stage 1: One or a few small, painful lumps with no scarring or tunnels
• Stage 2: Repeated lumps with some scarring and sinus tracts
• Stage 3: Widespread lumps, scarring, and interconnected tunnels under the skin

Early treatment can help stop the disease from getting worse. That’s why it’s so important to spot the signs and talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

Getting a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diagnosis

Because HS can look like other skin issues like infected hair follicles, boils, or acne it’s often missed or misdiagnosed. If you’ve had chronic armpit boils that come back in the same spots, ask your doctor about HS.

A hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosis is usually based on your symptoms and medical history. There’s no single test for it. But a dermatologist (a skin doctor) can often tell by looking at the pattern of your bumps and asking a few questions.

Be honest about your symptoms. The more your doctor knows, the better they can help you find relief.

What Are the Treatment Options?

There’s no cure for HS yet, but there are ways to manage it. The right hidradenitis suppurativa treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and what stage you’re in.

Common treatment options include:

• Topical creams: Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory creams for early-stage HS
• Oral medications: Antibiotics, hormonal therapy, or biologics (immune-targeting drugs)
• Steroid injections: To reduce swelling during a flare
• Surgery: For removing scar tissue or draining cysts in advanced stages
• Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding triggers like smoking

Some people also find relief with warm compresses and gentle skincare. Look for products made for sensitive skin that won’t clog pores or cause irritation. MAGS Skin products are designed with this in mind especially if you’re dealing with painful armpit lumps.

Living with HS: Tips and Support

Having HS isn’t just about skin. It can affect your confidence, social life, and mental health. That’s why support matters.

Here are a few tips that can help you manage day-to-day life with HS:

• Wear loose, breathable clothing to reduce friction
• Avoid shaving irritated areas if it causes flare-ups
• Use gentle cleansers and avoid harsh exfoliants
• Track your triggers like food, stress, or hormone cycles
• Join a support group to connect with others who understand

Most of all, remember that you’re not alone. HS can be frustrating, but there are ways to manage it and people who can help.

Quick Takeaways

• Recurring boils under armpits could be a sign of hidradenitis suppurativa
• HS causes painful underarm cysts that can scar and tunnel under the skin
• It’s not from poor hygiene it’s a chronic condition that needs care, not shame
• Early hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosis and treatment can prevent worsening symptoms
• Talk to a dermatologist if you have chronic armpit boils or bumps that keep coming back

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been dealing with painful bumps in your underarms and nothing seems to help, it’s time to look deeper. Hidradenitis suppurativa armpit symptoms can be hard to live with, but they’re also manageable with the right care and support.

Your skin deserves relief and so do you. Know the signs, speak up, and don’t settle for band-aid fixes. Whether you just started noticing bumps or have been struggling for years, MAGS Skin is here to support your journey to healthier, happier skin.