Armpit Boil (Golondrino): What It Is and What to Do

A golondrino is the Spanish everyday name for a painful, swollen lump in the armpit. Doctors usually call it a boil (an infected hair follicle) or hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-term skin condition that makes lumps come back. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).

What is a golondrino?

It is a red, hot, painful lump in the armpit that fills with pus. In Spain people call it a golondrino. Doctors in Spain write forúnculo (boil), absceso (abscess) or hidradenitis supurativa, also spelt hidrosadenitis.

In the UK and the US the words are the same: a boil, an abscess, or a carbuncle when several boils join up. HS is also called acne inversa.

A boil starts as a tender, swollen, reddish bump. It fills with pus and hurts more until it bursts and drains. It can grow to the size of a golf ball. You may also feel tired or have a fever.

Not every armpit lump is a boil. A lump that is not red, sore or leaking pus may be something else, such as a lymph node. See our guide to swollen lymph nodes.

What causes an armpit boil?

There are two main causes: an infected hair follicle (a boil) or hidradenitis suppurativa.

• Boil: an infection of a group of hair follicles and the skin around them. Most are caused by the germ Staphylococcus aureus. The armpit is one of the most common places, along with the face, neck, buttocks and thighs.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: a long-term skin condition. Hair follicles get blocked, swell and burst. It shows up where skin rubs together, such as the armpits and groin. It can also affect the buttocks, genitals and breasts.

Some people get boils more easily. This includes people with diabetes or other illnesses that weaken the immune system. It also includes people who take steroids, have eczema or live with obesity.

Is an armpit boil contagious?

It depends on the cause. The infection in a boil can spread to other people, but HS is not catching.

If you have a boil, do not share towels. Wash clothes and bedding that touched it on a hot wash. The NHS says to avoid pools and gyms until it has gone.

HS is not caused by poor hygiene, and you cannot pass it on.

How do you treat a boil at home?

A small boil often heals at home with warmth, care and time, because many burst and drain on their own.

• Hold a clean, warm, damp cloth on it several times a day. This helps it drain and heal. Keep going after it opens.
• Do not squeeze, prick or cut it. This can spread the infection.
• If pus comes out, clean the area and cover it with a dressing. Change it often.
• Wash your hands before and after you touch it.
• For pain you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Follow the leaflet.
• Wear loose clothes that do not rub the armpit.

Antibacterial soaps and creams do little once a boil has formed.

When do you need antibiotics or draining?

A doctor decides after looking at the lump. These are used when a boil is large, deep, severe or keeps coming back.

• Draining: a deep or large boil may need a small procedure to let the pus out. This is done in person, at a clinic or hospital.
• Antibiotics: a doctor may prescribe them if a boil is severe or comes back. In Spain, antibiotics are prescription-only, as they are in the UK and the US.
• HS: treatment depends on how bad it is. It may include antiseptic washes, a course of antibiotics, other medicines or surgery. Severe cases are managed by a skin specialist (dermatologist).

There is no single plan for everyone. The type of treatment and how long to take it are set by the prescription.

Why do armpit boils keep coming back?

If lumps keep coming back in the armpits or groin, the most likely cause is hidradenitis suppurativa, which is long-term.

It usually starts after puberty, often in the teens or twenties. It is more common in women. The NHS says it affects about 1 in 100 people, and it runs in the family in about 1 in 3 cases. Smoking and obesity are strongly linked to it and can make it worse.

It often starts with blackheads, pus spots and firm, pea-sized lumps. Over time, small tunnels can form under the skin. These leak pus and leave scars.

It is long-term, but treatment can control it. It helps to stop smoking, keep a healthy weight, wear loose clothes and avoid heat and damp. Spotting it early stops it getting worse. Boils can also come back, and then it is worth seeing a doctor.

Can I shave my armpits?

If you have HS, the NHS advises you not to shave the affected skin. While a boil is open, leave the area alone until it heals.

When to see a doctor

• You have a fever, chills or feel unwell.
• The skin around it is hot, swollen and more and more painful.
• Red streaks spread out from the lump.
• The pain is severe or the lump is very large.
• It is not better after one week of home care.
• Several lumps appear together, or they keep coming back.
• You have diabetes, take steroids or have a weak immune system for another reason.
• The lumps affect your mood or you find them hard to cope with.

When to call 112

If the infection gets worse, it can cause sepsis, which is life-threatening. Call 112 if you have:

• Very fast breathing.
• Confusion, slurred speech or not making sense.
• Blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
• A very high or very low temperature, or shivering.
• A rash that does not fade when you press on it.

Frequently asked questions about armpit boils

Getting a medical assessment

If you are in Spain and worried about an armpit boil, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a physician registered in Spain. You can also read about rashes and skin problems and acne. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.