United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was wondering how some of you dealt with, this.
My son Andrew, always gets very raw and sore under his arm, because he can't lift it up. He sweats so much. We have tried, powder, and then desitin to help it heal, but was wondering if there was something better out there. Do your children experience this also. He also complains that it hurts inside, too, under the armpit. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Also, does your children have such scapula winging. You can really notice when he is lying down, and we raise his arm up to do physical therapy exercises. Thanks a bunch.
Debbie

sounds like he's getting yeast infections under there - I've heard this is common....Maia has had this..she also gets them in her elbow crease, inbetween fingers, etc..ONLY on the affected arm....it happens in areas where there just isn't enough air.

Your doc can give you a special cream to take care of this....

We give Maia yogurt to eat everyday (the good kind with live buggies in it) and it has helped her a lot since we started doing that.... those buggies I guess eat the other buggies.... oh well It's a Bug's Life!
(maia's favorite movie!)

good luck,
francine

Hi Debbie

I don't know if this will help but my son who is not bpi ( I am OBPI) sweat so much that he got rashes one doctor told me to only buy him Cotton clothering and sheets and it would help his skin breath... it worked he did not stop sweating but it really helped.. he was small then and also had Asthma... so lots of allergies...

I also have scapular winging and under my arm is still sensitive -- that is why no one except family member were allowed to pick me up... because others would grab under the arm and I would be sore after...
Hope the hint on cotten might help...
Kath

Thanks for the advice. I wonder if I put cotten under his arm, if that would help. He always wears such big shirts, that the under arm of the shirt does not go under his arm. He likes wearing loose shirts. They go on and off easier for him, since he is at the age, where he wents to dress himself. Thanks again.
Debbie

Hello Debbie,

I have pain under my arm in the armpit area. It is actually very uncomfortable for me to put on deodorant! One thing that helps me is to place a small pillow under the arm, actually in the armpit. I have no idea why but it seems to help. I have a pillow that is shaped like a pig. I use it ALL the time. It works great behind my neck as well as under the arm. A pig leg in back and one in front with her underside in the armpit. Offers support but not bulky. Another shape that works well is a heart. My friends dog ate my heart shaped pillow! :::Sigh::: So I just walk around with "Piggy" instead! If you need the pattern let me know. I can scan it and send it to you. Or snail mail if you prefer.

The cotton is a great idea! Have you tried dress shields?

Joy

Debbie

I also use pillow under my arm when sitting or watching tv or using computer ... It suports the shoulder and arm...
Great going Joy... I forgot about that one!

As for the cotton... I had to use cotten tee (undershirts) for my son that fit because it absorbed the sweat then he wore the big ones over it ... He did not really want to because he wanted to be cool... but they really did help... and he got use to using undershirt...
Kath

Here's another vote for the pillow under the arm Debbie.....yes....much more comfortable that way.

I also have winging problems. It really only hurts when laying on my back, or propping my back against a flat surface. It is definately noticeable when the arm moves.

George

My daughter's underarm was really raw until she got better ROM. I used to put neosporin on her arm... it tickled her when I put it on, and it would usually clear it up in a day or so. Also, I noticed that there was a direct correlation between how raw it was and the ROM excersises I did. If I slacked, the redness would come back quickly. Caitlin goes to PT every week and her therapist stretches her arm out much farther than I can do and gets a lot of good air circulation in there.