It can be hard to speak up when something is wrong, especially when it feels embarrassing. But your health is always worth talking about.
A painful swelling under the arm is something many people hide for weeks, hoping it will go away before anyone notices.
These swellings usually start in a hair follicle or sweat gland that becomes blocked, often after shaving or heavy sweating.
Bacteria can then turn the blocked area into an abscess, with red, warm skin and a tender lump that slowly fills with pus.
Because the arm presses against it all day, an armpit abscess can become very painful and make sleeping and dressing harder.
