Experiencing Lymph Node Issues – Urgent Help Needed
Hello, I'm a 28-year-old man, and I need some advice. Recently, I began feeling discomfort in a lymph node located in my left armpit. Within a couple of days, it developed into two visibly swollen nodes. Since I can't think of any other explanation, I’m fairly certain they are lymph nodes. The swelling escalated quite rapidly; it hurt significantly on the first day and visibly enlarged as the day progressed. Additionally, a section of the skin in my armpit turned red and began to throb, likely due to the pressure. Naturally, I panicked and immediately thought about potential cancer, but I decided to try some basic self-care remedies like using warm compresses and taking ibuprofen. While the pain subsided somewhat, the swelling persisted. Tonight, before going to bed, I took my evening dose of ibuprofen and decided to inspect my armpit. When I gently pressed on the swollen lymph node, a gooey substance began to ooze out through my skin. It was similar to when you extract a small blackhead or a blister, but it was more substantial in volume. The fluid had a whitish-yellow tint, and although it contained a bit of blood, it didn’t emit a particularly foul odor — I’m not quite sure how to describe the scent. After applying a bit more pressure, even more of the substance came out. I plan to visit the doctor first thing in the morning, but I’m really anxious and would appreciate any insight into what might be happening. Please help me!
Answers (1)
8/23/2025, 5:22:42 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel anxious about the symptoms you're experiencing, especially with the visible swelling and discharge from the lymph nodes. The signs you describe suggest the possibility of a localized infection or inflammation, which can often be benign, but it's good that you're planning to consult a doctor promptly.
Key Points:
- Swollen lymph nodes can be a response to various conditions, including infections, and the discharge you're seeing may indicate an abscess.
- Immediate self-care measures you've undertaken, like warm compresses and ibuprofen, are appropriate for reducing pain and inflammation, but further evaluation is required.
Explanation:
Lymph nodes are part of the body's immune response and can swell in reaction to infections, whether from bacteria, viruses, or other irritants. The gooey substance you mentioned sounds like it could be pus from an infection, perhaps indicating that there is an abscess formation. This occurs when the body fights an infection, leading to a collection of pus, which can drain through the skin.
While the potential for more serious conditions like cancer can cause concern, infections of this sort are more common and typically treatable. Your decision to see a doctor quickly is wise, as they will be able to provide a thorough assessment and possibly drain any abscess if needed.
Next Steps:
- Continue applying warm compresses to the area until your doctor appointment, as this may help to soothe discomfort and promote drainage.
- Monitor for additional symptoms such as fever, chills, or increased redness around the area, and report these to your doctor.
- Avoid squeezing or putting further pressure on the swollen nodes, as this might worsen the condition or spread any infection.
It's promising that you're taking these symptoms seriously and reaching out for help, as this is an important step in addressing your health concerns. Rest assured that your doctor will guide you on the best course of action to take from here.
Related Questions
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Seeking Insight on Abnormal Neuroimaging Results
A 42-year-old female, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, has been grappling with cognitive challenges for over three years. She has a clinical history that includes a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder coupled with generalized anxiety, which she manages effectively through a regimen of an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and medications for anxiety. Currently, she is under the care of her fifth neurologist in the Boston region. An FDG-PET scan revealed a significant decline in metabolic functions, showing a 30-40% reduction within the left parietal lobe and a 20% decrease in both mesial temporal lobes. As part of her evaluation, a lumbar puncture was performed to assess amyloid and tau protein levels, with results coming back negative. Although a radiologist recommended pursuing an amyloid PET scan to gain further insights, her neurologist has declined this option. Despite the neurologist's suggestion that her indications might fit into the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) category, she remains unconvinced and believes there must be an identifiable underlying cause for her symptoms and the irregularities observed in her scans. She is seeking advice on the next steps to take in pursuing a clearer diagnosis or understanding of her condition.