A doctor will typically perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Diagnostic tools may include:

One of the most common conditions affecting the sweat glands in the armpit is Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). This is a chronic skin condition that causes small, painful lumps to form under the skin.

The discovery of a lump or swelling in the armpit (axilla) can be an immediate source of anxiety. While it is common to fear the worst, swollen sweat glands—or swelling in the structures surrounding them—are usually the result of benign and treatable conditions.