Differential Diagnosis for Axilla Burning and Redness

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Contact dermatitis: This is the most likely diagnosis due to the common occurrence of irritants or allergens in the axillary region, such as deodorants, antiperspirants, or shaving products, which can cause skin irritation, burning, and redness.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Intertrigo: A condition characterized by inflammation of the skin folds, which can cause burning, redness, and sometimes an odor, making it a plausible diagnosis for axilla burning and redness.
  • Folliculitis: An infection of the hair follicles, often caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to redness, burning, and pus-filled bumps in the affected area.
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis): A chronic skin condition that can cause dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, potentially leading to burning and redness in the axillary region.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and warmth, potentially leading to serious complications if left untreated, such as sepsis or abscess formation.
  • Erythrasma: A bacterial or fungal infection that can cause redness, burning, and itching in the skin folds, including the axilla, and may be associated with more severe conditions like diabetes.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa: A chronic skin condition characterized by recurring, painful abscesses and nodules in the apocrine-gland-bearing areas, such as the axilla, which can cause burning, redness, and scarring.
  • Lymphoma: A type of cancer that can cause skin lesions, including in the axillary region, which may present with burning, redness, and swelling, although this is a rare and unlikely diagnosis for isolated axilla burning and redness.