Sore infected armpits??

[bluevan]

My fella has suffered with this on and off for years and the doctors are pretty useless! The skin sort of splits and becomes "raw" like and red and weeps and it smells, its very sore, hes had lots of different anti biotics, I did ask the doctors if it could be a allergy to something hes eating but they said not, it comes and goes on its own, i wonder if it was something to do with starch? anyone got any ideas because we are at our wits end with this, hes waiting to go to the hospital again about it, when it isnt sore its sore of velvety skin, its very painful for him and annoying

[rubydazzler]

Did they have something like this on that doctor programme a few months ago? Embarrassing Bodies. He's is see a dermatolgist, isn't he? I have some sort of memory that it was something to do with the sweat glands?

 

Hope he gets it sorted, it sounds so painful.

[Starlet83]

I thought it sounded familiar Ruby, yes I think it was on that program now you mention it, I think it is something to do with Sweat glands and if I remember correctly the preson actually had botox under his arms which solved the problem.

 

Just found this

 

http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/

[bluevan]

Yes , I saw that too, but its not like that, its hard to explain but its like cracks from front to back, he saw a dermatologist a few yrs back and she gave him some cream that did nothing

[rubydazzler]

If you've seen specialists and nothing so far has helped, I'd be inclined to camp out on the surgery doorstep and get some further referrals.

 

If you're not on their case, the medical profession tend to leave you to get on with it. If the cream didn't help, what was offered when you went back?

[bluevan]

If you've seen specialists and nothing so far has helped, I'd be inclined to camp out on the surgery doorstep and get some further referrals.

 

If you're not on their case, the medical profession tend to leave you to get on with it. If the cream didn't help, what was offered when you went back?

 

He went back to the doctors, who then told him to lose weight lol, its a joke really, hes not even fat, they said he needed to weigh 13 stone, this is advised by there stupid little chart that has no idea of a person build, hes a big built bloke and 6ft 2", 13 stone ??? he'd look ill!

[rubydazzler]

He went back to the doctors, who then told him to lose weight lol, its a joke really, hes not even fat, they said he needed to weigh 13 stone, this is advised by there stupid little chart that has no idea of a person build, hes a big built bloke and 6ft 2", 13 stone ??? he'd look ill!

Quite! I'd keep going back and asking for other referrals if this hospital visit doesn't help.

 

Or you could try finding out where the Embarrassing Bodies are recording next, and go there!

[bluevan]

I was thinking of trying the hallamshire walk in service , see if they know anything and the chinese herbalist in meadowhall, he's really sick of it now and its getting him down,, and having to work aswell while his arms are painful and sore , its ridiculous!

[medusa]

The fact that it gets sore, red and weeping suggests that it's infected. Whether it's infected with bacteria or fungi is something that can be verified with tests.

 

Personally I'd go back to your GP and ask for tests or a referral to a specialist to ascertain the infective agent. If your GP refuses then I'd ask for their decision and reasons in writing, which I would then take to the practice manager as part of a discussion based around your rights as a patient to have a second opinion on any health issue.

[Eater Sundae]

I realise that the OP's concerns are a lot more serious than mine, but I will mention it anyway, as it might be of interest to others less seriously affected.

 

I used to get very sore patches under my arm, made worse by any deodourants/anti-perspirants that I tried. I finally found what I think is called "ammonium alum". It is a crystal block in a container - so it looks a bit like a roll on deodourant, but it is a solid crystal. You either wet the crystal, or wet the skin itself, and lightly rub the crystal across it. As soon as I started using it, the soreness cleared up. It is not an antiperspirant, but acts as a deodourant. It doesn't have its own smell - it doesn't try to mask any smells with alternative smells. It just stops your odour, apparently. I've no idea how it works, but it seems to. Another advantage is that although it is expensive (£3+ IIRC), it lasts for months and so it works out very cheap overall. The first ones I saw were called "roc" and were in a small brown cardboard box. For years now, though, I've been buying one called "Crystal Deodourant", in a bright blue plastic container. I buy then from John Lewis/Coles. I've not actually seen them anywhere else, but I've not looked too hard, so they might be everywhere.