Red bumps on your underarms can ruin the look of a sleeveless shirt or bathing suit. In addition to their unsightly appearance, underarm bumps can also cause pain or irritation when you apply deodorant or shave. Although folliculitis and ingrown hairs from shaving are the most common causes of these types of bumps, certain diseases, such as hidradenitis suppurativa, can also cause red bumps on the underarms. If the bumps don't disappear once you improve your shaving techniques--or if they appear swollen or tender to the touch--contact your health-care provider.
Identification
Folliculitis--a skin condition caused by infected hair follicles--looks like small pimples clustered in your underarm area. They usually appear shortly after you finish shaving the area and might itch or sting when you apply deodorant. Ingrown hairs occur when shaved hairs grow back into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the follicle, which can cause red, irritated bumps.
Hidradenitis suppurativa--a chronic disease that affects the apocrine glands--usually causes one or more large, red, tender bumps that might leak pus. You might also notice a foul aroma coming from the bumps and they might itch. See your doctor promptly if you notice any of these symptoms.
Treatment
Folliculitis and ingrown hairs generally resolve themselves without any special treatment, according to MayoClinic.com. The clinic suggests seeking professional treatment for persistent or recurring cases.
You can treat mild symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa at home with warm compresses to relieve swelling and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers to soothe the pain, but more severe cases need professional treatment, often including oral antibiotics.
Considerations
Applying an antiperspirant immediately after shaving can cause red bumps and irritation. To minimize irritation from antiperspirants, John McShefferty, Ph.D., president of the Gillette Research Institute, in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II," recommends shaving at night and applying antiperspirant in the morning.
Prevention / Solution
Improving your shaving techniques or using another method, such as waxing or a chemical hair remover, can make ingrown hairs and folliculitis less likely, according to MayoClinic.com. The clinic suggests using a lubricated shaving cream to protect delicate underarm skin from chafing and razor burn. Change razors frequently. Avoid pulling the underarms taut when you shave.
Warning
While shaving and antiperspirants can cause surface irritation, lumps deep inside the skin of the underarms can occur when your lymph nodes--filters that catch infectious organisms or cancerous cells--swell due to bacterial or viral infections or cancer. Medline Plus cautions that all unexplained armpit lumps warrant a prompt medical evaluation.
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