A lipoma in the armpit is a benign formation of small size, consists of subcutaneous fat, the color differs from the main shade of the skin, and the shape is round. According to ICD-10, it has codes from D17.0 to D17.9, depending on the location. Wen under the armpit does not pose a serious threat to health, but can cause discomfort.
What is a wen under the armpit?
A fatty tumor or lipoma is a benign tumor that is formed from fat and connective tissue. In the armpit, the formation is felt as a kind of compaction. The tumor is enclosed in a capsule. If the lipoma reaches a significant size, it can constrict the lymph nodes and blood vessels, which is fraught with dangerous consequences. At the same time, even a slight movement of the hand causes a lot of discomfort.
Wen can reach significant sizes
Types of lipomas
The lipoma under the arm can be of different types, depending on the nature of the tissue that predominates in the lipoma. The main classification of these formations:
- Lipofibroma is a tumor predominantly consisting of fatty compounds. Quite soft to the touch.
- Fibrolipoma is a formation with a predominance of the fibrous component, so it is very dense, unlike a tumor consisting predominantly of fat.
- Angiolipoma - in addition to connective and adipose tissue, includes blood vessels.
- Myolipoma - contains muscle fibers and appears very rarely.
Lipoma under the arm can vary in structure
Causes and factors for the development of wen in the armpit area
The exact cause of lipoma in the armpit is currently unknown to science. However, there are some provoking factors that contribute to the appearance of wen. The main ones:
- metabolic disorders;
- injury to the axillary region;
- poisoning of the body with toxic substances;
- vitamin deficiency, which is formed as a result of poor nutrition;
- pathologies of the lipid layer;
- hormonal imbalance;
- work in hazardous conditions.
One of the decisive factors is the unstable functioning of the immune system, in which many body systems fail. In this case, lipomas often arise.
What does a lipoma look like under the arm + symptoms
Depending on the variety, the wen under the arm may have different densities. However, the formation looks almost the same in all cases and is a subcutaneous tumor, which can be the size of a pea or grow to the size of a walnut. Lipoma is rarely accompanied by additional symptoms. It causes pain only when it reaches a significant size and, at the same time, if it is accidentally touched. A distinctive feature of a wen is its tendency to grow, and sometimes to reverse development.
Constant friction against clothing can cause local inflammation. Lipoma is mobile and is not fused with neighboring tissues, unlike malignant tumors. This tumor has an unpredictable course. It can disappear on its own or, on the contrary, progress.
Lipoma has a capsule
Differential diagnosis of lipoma under the arm
It is very important to differentiate lipoma from other pathologies that may thus manifest themselves in the armpit. The main research method is inspection using special optical equipment, as well as palpation. It is very important to distinguish a wen from inflammation of the lymph node. In the second case, any slight touch leads to pain.
The malignant formation has a denser structure, unlike a lipoma, and it is immobile. In most cases, wen can be differentiated by the presence of a characteristic white head, which is more characteristic of lipofibroma. In other types of lipomas it may be absent. Only a dermatologist is able to distinguish one disease from another.
If diagnosis brings difficulties, then an additional biopsy is performed, which makes it possible to accurately determine the pathology. Using this method, a small amount of tumor contents is taken and examined under a microscope for the presence of atypical cells. The sampling is carried out using a syringe or scalpel. It all depends on the nature of education.
Are formations in the armpits dangerous?
Treatment of lipoma must be carried out, it can increase in size due to the growth of adipose tissue, gradually putting pressure on the blood vessels, disrupting their activity. The growth, which has reached a large size, begins to interfere, make it difficult to move the hands, become injured and become inflamed. Patients develop axillary lymphadenitis due to the fact that the tumor presses on the lymph nodes.
Medicine successfully removes wen; there are methods that leave no scars on the skin. But it is easier to prevent its occurrence than to eliminate it. As a preventative measure, doctors advise patients to lead a healthy lifestyle, maintain hygiene, and attend preventive medical examinations.
The article has been reviewed by the site editors
Treatment methods for wen in the armpit area
Drug treatment of lipoma in the axillary region is carried out only when the size of the formation does not exceed 2–3 cm. In this case, a special drug Diprospan is used. It is an injectable solution capable of breaking down areas of fat and fibrosis. In this case, this medication is mixed with novocaine to make the drug administration procedure more painless. After this, an injection is made directly into the area of the wen. In total, several injections are needed for the lipoma to resolve.
In addition, it is important to take vitamins that will increase the body's immunity and resistance. An integrated approach prevents relapse.
Recently, the following methods for eliminating wen have been increasingly used:
- Surgical intervention. This method is based on the use of a scalpel. It is used to make a small incision in the skin and remove the fat capsule. After this, stitches are applied.
- Laser. This method is the most gentle and safe. At the same time, under the influence of a laser beam, the wen evaporates and practically no trace remains in its place. A small crust disappears over time. This technique meets the highest antiseptic rates and gives quick results.
- Cryodestruction. In this case, the formation is frozen using liquid nitrogen. After this, the lipoma disappears, and practically no trace remains in its place.
- Radio waves. One of the most expensive ways to eliminate wen. The radio wave method is based on soft cutting of tissue without the aid of a scalpel. This approach to treatment is considered minimally invasive and allows you to quickly remove the capsule.
- Electrocoagulation. It is a rather painful method and is performed only under local anesthesia. In this case, alternating current is used, which is supplied through a special contact - a loop. The formation coagulates and disappears over time.
Removal of a lipoma is often carried out through surgery
Diet and physiotherapy
A special diet for lipoma is not indicated. However, it is very important to strengthen the immune system during this period. To do this, it is recommended to review your diet and eliminate everything harmful from it:
- soda;
- chips;
- fried foods;
- smoked meats;
- alcohol.
It is recommended to include fresh vegetables and fruits, juices and mineral water in the menu. It is necessary to increase the daily intake of vitamin C, which is responsible for strengthening the body. Ascorbic acid is found not only in citrus fruits, but also in spinach, black and red currants, gooseberries and rose hips.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is contraindicated when the tumor is constantly growing. This can only worsen the course of the pathology. One of the most common auxiliary methods of physiotherapy used in the presence of lipoma is mud applications, as well as acupuncture. The first method is based on the use of therapeutic mud, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Acupuncture is a method of influencing active points in the human body. Thanks to this, the immune system is strengthened and metabolism is improved.
How to treat with folk remedies
In some cases, traditional methods of treatment are also used. The most effective recipes:
- Golden mustache. Fresh raw materials will be required. You need to take one leaf and grind it thoroughly to a paste. Then apply it to the wen, and place a small piece of cotton wool on top, which should be secured with a band-aid. Leave for an hour, then remove the pulp. Repeat the procedure daily for a week.
- Aloe. Additionally, you will need horse chestnut fruits and honey. First you need to take 1 aloe leaf and grind it into a paste, after rinsing it under cool water. Then grind a few horse chestnuts and mix the 2 ingredients. Then add 0.5 tsp to them. honey. All components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Then apply it to the lipoma and secure it as in the previous step, leaving it overnight. As a rule, several procedures are sufficient.
- Propolis. You will need a fresh piece of this beekeeping product. You need to take it in such quantity that you can form a cake that will cover the wen. Then apply propolis to the lipoma and secure with a band-aid, leaving it overnight. Only 2-3 procedures.
Traditional methods of treatment in the photo
Golden mustache has a healing effect on various subcutaneous formations
Aloe has a resolving and anti-inflammatory effect
Honey enhances the effect of all ingredients
Horse chestnut helps with lipoma
Propolis has a powerful absorbent effect
How is a wen removed surgically?
Lipoma can become inflamed at any time, but most often this occurs due to endocrine disorders, due to injury and improper treatment. A swollen and reddened wen is dangerous because malignant tissue changes can occur in this area of the body. Inflammation of a lipoma is sometimes one of the signs of cancer.
Wen that exceeds 0.5 cm in diameter is removed with a scalpel. Surgical treatment is performed under local anesthesia (children and some other groups of patients are given general anesthesia). Before the operation, if the tumor is suspected of being malignant, the doctor will direct the patient to undergo blood and urine tests and an ultrasound scan. The operation itself takes from 10 to 30 minutes.
Treatment prognosis and consequences
The prognosis for treatment is favorable in most cases. The main thing is to pay attention to education in time and undergo the necessary examination. It should be remembered that the armpit is often subject to friction, so the wen will often be injured, and this is dangerous due to the consequences of infection, because this area is favorable for the growth of bacteria, as it is equipped with sweat glands.
In addition, if you constantly touch a lipoma, then there is a risk of its malignant degeneration, which occurs due to constant trauma.
Diagnostics
The main way to identify a disease, allowing it to be distinguished from a number of other diagnoses, is a differentiated diagnostic method
. It is based on the principles of exclusion.
Such studies are carried out using special optical instruments, as well as through careful palpation of the axillary area. An experienced dermatologist, based on the consistency, the patient’s sensations, and external manifestations, is able to rule out all other diagnoses and confirm or refute the presence of a lipoma.
If the specialist has doubts, the patient is prescribed a biopsy. A fragment of the affected material is examined, and the malignancy of the process is excluded.
Prevention measures
The main preventive measure is to strengthen the body's defenses. You should walk as much as possible, play sports and eat right. If there are signs of hormonal imbalances, you should make corrections and find the cause of the malfunction by consulting a specialist.
In addition to everything, it is recommended to monitor your weight. At the slightest skin manifestations, you should consult a doctor and under no circumstances self-medicate. It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and injury. If a small lipoma appears, you cannot squeeze it out or open it yourself, as this can cause infection and serious consequences.
What not to do
When a wen is discovered, some people try to get rid of it as quickly as possible. As a result, they make a number of mistakes that lead to the enlargement and proliferation of the tumor.
Involuntary injury to the seal can have serious consequences. Therefore, you need to be careful and wear comfortable, loose clothing.
- Try to squeeze out the wen under the arm yourself. A small tumor after compression can increase significantly, as its vessels are damaged.
- Scratch, independently cut the skin over the wen or try to pierce it. All these actions will lead to infection of the tumor, which will provoke painful inflammation under the armpit.
- Get involved in self-medication when there is no positive dynamics already after 1-2 weeks of using various means.
- Warm and massage the armpit where the lipoma is. These actions will lead to the spread of pathological cells to neighboring lymph nodes and underlying tissues. The tumor can develop into cancer.
Features in women and children
Lipomas in women often form under the influence of hormonal disorders. This may occur after an abortion, during pregnancy, or other similar conditions. The course of the disease is the same in men and women. In children, it is quite rare for a wen to form, but if such a phenomenon occurs, then quite often it goes away without a trace on its own. In this case, sometimes it is enough to apply an aloe leaf to speed up resorption.
If the formation does not go away for a long time, but does not change its size, then it is monitored. When the tumor site is frequently subjected to friction, the lipoma is removed using a laser.
Methods for removing atheroma
Such neoplasms are treated using operations such as laser and radio wave exposure and classical surgery. Radio wave destruction is considered the most effective and safe, as it does not require subsequent sutures. The operation has a short recovery period and good cosmetic effect. Is it possible to get rid of atheroma without surgery?
No ointments, lotions or tablets can eliminate sebaceous cysts
No ointments, lotions or tablets can eliminate a sebaceous gland cyst. Attempts to squeeze out its contents do not bring positive results either. The atheroma shell remains in place and continues to produce contents. In addition, opening the atheroma with non-sterile instruments can provoke inflammation, which will require urgent surgical intervention. There are no specific preventive measures. It is believed that atheromas most often occur in people suffering from hyperhidrosis or having oily skin. Regular hygiene procedures using products that reduce sebum secretion help prevent the development of benign tumors. Equally important is proper nutrition; you must avoid eating fatty and fried foods, coffee, and alcohol.
