confused about lymph nodes

[questions123]

Hello,
I am a 20 year old female college student, with a demanding workload, which at times causes me to not have as much sleep as I should. Since I got back to school I've recently realized that I'm continuing to get what i assume to be swollen lymph nodes in my armpit. The bumps wont last more than a few days, but the skin on top is red, swollen, and hurts to the touch. Also when one goes away another appears soon after in a different spot. Is this something to worry about?; or is it nothing.

[Maria RN]

Hi. Bumps in the armpit have different causes. The armpit's skin surface may form cyst or develop infection from shaving or use of antiperspirants.

Large and painful bumps under the skin may also mean that there are abscesses in the armpit.

You have to consult your health care provider to determine whether those bumps are harmless or not.

Here's Dr Joshua's blog entry about lymph nodes:
http://www.drjoshua.com/2006/08/16/skin-itching-irritation-and-lump/