Minor infections and overexertion are regularly at the root of the pain. However, armpit pain may be a sign of other, more serious health conditions. Less commonly, armpit pain can indicate swollen lymph nodes or the presence of breast cancer.
In this article, we cover the common causes of armpit pain, when to see a doctor, and how to treat the pain when it occurs. Many factors either contribute to or cause armpit pain, including some skin issues, infections, and immune conditions. Depending on the cause and severity, symptoms may vary from mild irritation to severe discomfort and distress.
A range of treatments is available to soothe discomfort in most cases, although a person will often need to treat the root cause for more permanent relief. The lymph nodes are crucial for the successful action of the immune system.
They gather foreign bodies and stimulate the release of immune cells, which destroy and remove these invading bodies. During infections, the lymph nodes fill with harmful cells and begin to swell. This enlargement causes inflammation and pain. Many deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, soaps, and laundry detergents contain skin irritants and allergens. Some of these may lead to allergic contact dermatitis, a condition that causes redness and tiny blisters.
Pets and environmental factors, such as potentially inflammatory substances in a workplace, also carry known allergens that trigger an immune response in the armpit. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that has effects on the skin in various parts of the body, including the armpit area.
It can lead to different types of plaque or scale developing on the skin, as well as itching, discomfort, and pain. The symptoms of psoriasis can be highly uncomfortable and painful, especially if friction and moisture occur.
Given its location on the body, both of these factors can affect the armpit. For more information on psoriasis, click here. Ringworm , or tinea corporis, is a common fungal infection affecting the uppermost layer of skin. It triggers a red, ring shaped rash. As fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, the armpit is a target location for the infections that the fungi can cause.
Ringworm fungi also use the keratin present in hair as food. Ringworm rashes can be painful and lead to inflamed, itchy, and scaling skin. Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes and treatments for your pain. Armpit pain can occur for many different reasons. Causes of armpit pain can range from minor issues, like skin irritation from shaving and muscle pulls, to serious conditions like breast cancer.
Your armpit pain could be the result of something temporary, or it could be a warning sign for a more serious condition. There are several muscles of the chest and arms that could cause armpit pain from overuse or injury.
The pectoralis major is a large chest muscle that runs up into the shoulder. It can be injured by playing sports or lifting weights. The coracobrachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that you can also strain during sports, like baseball or tennis.
If you sprain any of these or other muscles of the chest or upper arm, you could feel the pain in the armpit. Your lymphatic system is a network of nodes or glands found throughout the body.
These nodes produce a fluid that helps fight infections. Breast cancer is often painless in its early stages, but it may cause swelling in your armpit, breast, or collarbone. If you notice pain or feel a lump at these sites, make an appointment with your doctor. Certain deodorants or laundry detergents can trigger an allergic reaction in your armpits.
That can cause contact dermatitis , a type of rash. Contact dermatitis will typically subside if you stop using products that trigger your allergic response. Anti-itch treatments like hydrocortisone cream , as well as antihistamines, may help reduce the initial inflammation. Hidradenitis suppurativa looks like acne under your arms. But this is a more serious problem that can cause scarring. This condition typically affects places where the skin rubs together, like the armpits.
Hidradenitis suppurativa can cause boil-like lumps on the skin, which may secrete blood or pus. Doctors will typically recommend antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to treat the condition. Shingles is another skin-related condition that can cause armpit pain.
Shingles causes a scaly, uncomfortable rash that usually appears on your back, chest, or under your arms. The virus can also cause a burning or tingling sensation. PAD is a narrowing of the smaller arteries in the arms and legs. Symptoms of night sweats, a breast lump, or unintentional weight loss are also a reason to make an appointment right away.
If your symptoms are mild but persist, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. Pain is our body's way of telling us something is wrong. There are a number of questions your healthcare provider may ask to help determine the source of your pain. These can include:. To make a proper diagnosis of armpit pain and make sure you aren't missing anything subtle, it's important to see your healthcare provider.
They will take a careful history, including asking many of the questions above. They will then perform a physical exam. This will include looking for any redness, rashes, lumps, or enlarged lymph nodes in your axilla.
They will also examine the areas surrounding your armpit, such as your head and neck, arms, and chest, perform a neurological exam focusing on ruling out nerve compression, and perform a careful breast exam even if you are a man, as men can get breast cancer also. Depending on what they find, further tests may be done. If you have signs of an infection either a local infection or a body-wide infection that could be causing enlarged lymph nodes , a complete blood count may be ordered.
Imaging tests may also be needed. A mammogram may also be recommended or a breast MRI if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or very dense breasts. Imaging studies can suggest possible diagnoses, but a biopsy is needed to make an accurate diagnosis if cancer is suspected. If you have a large boil or abscess, an incision and drainage may be needed. In addition, seeking prompt medical attention at the onset of many of the causes listed above may reduce your risk of complications or worsening of the condition.
The treatment of armpit pain will depend on the underlying cause. If your pain is due to a muscle strain, ice, rest, and gentle movement may be recommended.
If your armpit is irritated, avoiding whatever caused the problem will be advised. If lymph nodes are swollen due to a benign cause, warm compresses may be recommended.
No matter the cause, wearing clothes that fit loosely in the armpit, as well as avoiding shaving or using any lotions, creams, or deodorants in your underarm area may help reduce pain. Many causes of armpit pain can't be prevented, but some can. Being careful with personal care products may reduce your risk of irritation. Properly warming up before sports and avoiding overuse of your arm and shoulder are also wise. Breast engorgement and mastitis are two reasons that your armpit could feel tender while breastfeeding.
Engorged breasts are overfilled with milk and that pressure and discomfort may be felt in the armpits. Mastitis is an infection from a clogged milk duct that often begins with engorgement and can cause lymph nodes in the area to swell and cause pain, including those in the armpit. There are a few stretches you can do prior to exercise to prevent injury.
Stretching the armpit area can also relieve pain and soreness. According to the American Council on Exercise, the muscles to stretch under the arms are the latissimus dorsi muscle and triceps.
There are many potential causes of armpit pain, and though many people think of breast cancer, especially if an enlarged lymph node is present, the most common causes are muscle strain or irritation related to deodorants and other products.
That said, armpit pain can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, and it's important to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Kruger SJ. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. Peripheral lymphadenopathy: approach and diagnostic tools. Iran J Med Sci. Frequency of lymphadenopathy in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. J Int Med Res. The associated symptoms and treatment depend on the cause of the pain.
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit usually appear due to an infection or inflammation near the armpit area. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system and help to fight infections by attacking and destroying the germs that are carried by the lymphatic fluid. A lump in the groin, neck, or armpit is also called adenopathy or lymph node disease, which, in most cases, represents a mild and temporary inflammation, but which can also be caused by more serious diseases, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases, when it lasts for more than 1 month or grows more than 2 cm.
What to do: treatment is generally not necessary, with rest and hydration being enough. However, it is important to identify and eliminate what is causing the inflammation and infection, as it may be necessary to take antibiotics.
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