When you have a situation that manifests itself in your armpit, it can only rightfully be referred to as a: pituation (term not officially trademarked by Ok, Here is the Situation, but it should be, but, honestly, we’ll never get around to it). And I, Chicky Nickel Blue, have an epidemic of a pituation.
It all started a few months ago. I started going to the gym a lot. Like, at least 5 or 6 days a week and sometimes twice a day. After a post-workout shower one afternoon I noticed, in the mirror, several red bumps under my right armpit. I do have really sensitive skin, so getting random bumps, spots, bruises and bug bites isn’t an uncommon thing. But I’m definitely not used to getting so many in such a concentrated area. Thus, Pit Watch 2011 began.
I monitored the situation several times a day, to make sure the pit was cleaned and properly salved. But I also continued to go to the gym. Which, I was beginning to realize, was the biggest culprit in the overall pituation situation. From my best guesstimation, this is what was happening: For cardio, my latest choice du jour had been the elliptical machine with moving arm handles. And the constant arm motion, plus sweat, was causing a sort of pituation-causing friction! So, I quickly changed up my routine and am now using the elliptical with no arm handles. That way, I can continue to exercise whilst keeping my pits properly aired. And, pituation free! At least, that was the hope. Until…it happened again.
Location this time? Palm Springs. It was a balmy day, over 100 degrees. I was wearing a tank top. My pits were sweating. And that evening, in our hotel room, I saw it: the pituation to end all pituations. This time the “bump” had appeared and rapidly mutated into an infected abscess. Fun! That’s when I realized the recipe for a pituation didn’t necessarily require the gym. All it takes is sweat, a tank top, hotness and arm motion. Needless to say, I am now even more hyper aware of the pituation that looms and, especially after having to take a 10-day course of antibiotics to rid myself of the the “Palm Springs Pituation,” I’m taking extra careful pituation-averting precautions!
Chicky Nickel Blue, you are so brave. So many people deal w/ pituations everyday yet few people have been willing to really discuss it and share details. This is something that needs to be aired out in an open public arena. Exercise is important but its also important to know there are consequences. But these consequences do not have to hold you back and keep you sedintary. We need to hear what solutions have worked and what solutions have not. thanks CNB!!! Keep us posted!
I will keep you posted! I might need to start up a 5k run to raise pituation awareness!