Nam previously had minor surgery to drain pus at another medical facility, but painful, firm nodules with minor discharge returned in his left armpit. Doctor Tran Thi My Linh, a specialist in dermatology and aesthetic dermatology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, diagnosed Nam with localized hidradenitis suppurativa in the armpit, noting subcutaneous soft tissue fibrosis. This condition likely relates to extended inflammation and his past interventions.
According to Doctor Linh, hidradenitis suppurativa is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that can lead to severe consequences without proper diagnosis and treatment. It presents with recurrent inflammatory nodules in skin folds like the armpits, groin, and perianal area, causing intense pain. As the condition worsens, patients may develop sinus tracts, fistulas, and wide scars.
The condition typically begins after puberty and affects more females. It may link to immune dysregulation, genetics, smoking, and obesity; however, its exact cause remains unclear. Hidradenitis suppurativa significantly lowers patients' quality of life compared to other skin diseases.
Doctor Linh treated Nam with internal medicine, prescribing oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs combined with topical medication. This approach aims to control inflammation, stabilize infection, and prevent sinus tracts and fibrotic scars. The method helps limit unnecessary invasive procedures while reducing new scar formation risk in a developing child.
After 4 weeks of treatment and follow-up, Nam's underarm lesions notably improved. Once the inflammatory swelling subsided, his armpit skin became softer and flatter, no longer rough. The boy was pain-free with normal arm movement.
Following treatment, children must keep the armpit area clean and dry, avoiding moisture and friction. Parents should ensure the child strictly adheres to the prescribed medication, refraining from stopping or adding other products. The treated skin area needs regular monitoring; if swelling, pain, spreading redness, or unusual discharge occurs, the child should return to the hospital for prompt re-examination and timely treatment to prevent recurrence and minimize unsightly scars.
Minh Huong
*Character's name has been changed
