{"id":62557,"date":"2024-01-11T17:02:39","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T22:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62557"},"modified":"2024-11-13T16:08:18","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T21:08:18","slug":"pain-in-armpit-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pain-in-armpit-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes armpit pain? Related conditions and treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may not think much about your armpits at all\u2014that is, until something goes wrong. If you\u2019re not expecting pain in your armpit, you may be a little taken aback. The pain could be the result of any number of causes and can vary by cause and in severity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all treatment,\u201d says <\/span>Jay W. Lee, MD<\/span><\/a>, a family medicine physician and member of the board of directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians.<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to treat armpit pain, you need to know the cause. So, if you develop new pain in your armpit, and the pain seems to be getting worse or you\u2019re developing additional symptoms, checking in with your doctor can get the ball rolling. In the meantime, we\u2019ll discuss the most common causes of pain in the armpit.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes armpit pain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wondering what\u2019s causing that pain in your armpit area? It could be any of a number of causes, such as swollen lymph nodes, a pulled muscle, and dermatitis, among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Swollen lymph nodes<\/span><\/h3>\n

A viral infection like <\/span>mononucleosis<\/span><\/a> or the flu can lead to swollen lymph nodes under the arm, which can be tender or even a little painful. The lymph nodes tend to swell when they react to an infection or a vaccine. You may even notice <\/span>armpit pain after a COVID-19 vaccine<\/span><\/a>. If you have pain in the left armpit, and that\u2019s the same arm you had your vaccine, it could simply be a sign that your immune response has kicked in and the vaccine is working.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although lymph node swelling may lessen as you recover from your illness or within a couple of days of getting a vaccine, you should <\/span>see a doctor for swollen lymph nodes<\/span><\/a> if they grow in size, have been present for two to four weeks, are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, or feel hard or rubbery. Hard, fixed, rapidly growing nodes can be a symptom of cancer and lymphoma.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact dermatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Exposure to allergens such as deodorants, fragrances, plants, jewelry, detergents, soaps, and certain chemicals can cause an itchy rash to develop under the arm. This type of rash is known as <\/span>contact dermatitis<\/span><\/a>\u2014caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to a substance. For example, using a new detergent for laundry may result in some itchy redness where the clothing comes into close contact with the skin in the armpit. This can cause pain or even lead to a secondary infection if rubbed or scratched in an attempt to relieve the itching. Although it may be uncomfortable, contact dermatitis is not contagious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Growths<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cGrowths such as cysts, skin tags, and moles can also cause pain when they\u2019re inflamed,\u201d says <\/span>Brendan Camp, MD<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York. For example, a <\/span>skin tag<\/span><\/a> or mole can become irritated if it rubs up against clothing or another item, like a seat belt or purse strap. Growths can also cause pain in the armpit if you accidentally nick it while shaving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Muscle strain<\/span><\/h3>\n

Injuring a muscle or tendon can lead to <\/span>muscle strain<\/span><\/a>. Activities that involve lifting, stretching, throwing, and pulling may result in a muscle strain to the armpit area, which can cause some pain when you move your arm. Resting the arm can provide time for the muscle to recover from the strain and resolve any pain in the armpit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ingrown hair<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hair that grows back into the skin after shaving, waxing, or plucking the armpit area can cause a painful lump or bump. It might look like a pimple at the site of a hair follicle. Also known as <\/span>pseudofolliculitis,<\/span><\/a> this inflammation is more common in people who have curly hair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacterial or viral infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bacteria and viruses can both cause pain in the armpit in certain circumstances. \u201cFor the most part, it\u2019s bacterial infections that we worry about,\u201d says Dr. Lee, explaining that bacteria can get into a cut from shaving or even an ingrown hair, which could lead to a serious infection like cellulitis. According to <\/span>Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/span><\/a>, the bacteria that are most likely to cause cellulitis are staph and strep bacteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shingles<\/span><\/h3>\n

Shingles<\/span><\/a> is one particular viral infection that could cause armpit pain. The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox, also causes shingles, a painful infection that <\/span>causes a rash that usually occurs on one side of the body<\/span><\/a>, although it can also be more widespread in people with weakened immune systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fungal infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fungal infections can also cause itchiness and pain in the armpit area. For example, a <\/span>yeast infection<\/span><\/a>, or candidiasis, can develop under the arm, where it\u2019s moist and warm. So can ringworm, a common fungal infection that causes a circular red rash that can become itchy and possibly a little sore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hidradenitis suppurativa<\/span><\/h3>\n

Painful lumps, boils, cysts, and sores in the armpit area could be a symptom of a painful skin condition called <\/span>hidradenitis suppurativa<\/span><\/a>, or acne inversa. It\u2019s a chronic condition, and although it isn\u2019t curable, it is treatable. If left untreated, abscesses can develop, break open, and leak blood and pus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inverse psoriasis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Inverse psoriasis<\/span><\/a> is an autoimmune condition that tends to develop in skin folds, such as the armpit, groin, and under the breasts. You might notice red, purple, or brown lesions in those areas, and they can be very irritating and painful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Should I be worried about armpit pain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cUnless severe pain, a fever, nausea, or other symptoms develop, it\u2019s probably not necessary to rush off to a doctor or an urgent care center,\u201d Dr. Lee says. It might be worth applying warm compresses to the area for a day or so to see if that helps. \u201cWaiting overnight is never a bad idea if it\u2019s not excruciating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But, Dr. Lee pays close attention to underlying medical issues that his patients may have, such as diabetes and other chronic health conditions. In that case, he might want to be more vigilant about infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people may worry that a lump, bump, or swollen lymph node under the arm could be a sign of breast cancer. According to <\/span>Dr. Patricia A. Ganz, MD<\/span><\/a>, a professor at the UCLA Field School of Public Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, there\u2019s not too much to worry about\u2014at least on the cancer front. \u201cPainful lumps are almost always associated with an infection,\u201d Dr. Ganz says. \u201cA swollen lymph node in the armpit, either from breast cancer or lymphoma, is rarely, if ever, painful. They are asymptomatic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if a lump in the armpit is painful, the best course of action is to consult a doctor. \u201cThe acute onset of a lump could be a sign of infection that warrants treatment. But if the painless lump lingers, that could be an impetus for evaluation and a needle biopsy to rule out a malignancy,\u201d says Dr. Ganz.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, if you\u2019re not sure what causes the armpit pain that you\u2019re experiencing, talk to your doctor so you can get a diagnosis. Using the right treatment will give you the best chance to get rid of the armpit pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How is the cause of armpit pain diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If a patient came to him with complaints about pain in the armpit area, Dr. Camp says he would start the diagnostic process by asking some questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAssessing an underarm issue requires first taking a careful history from the patient to determine the duration of the issue, associated symptoms, potential triggers, and any treatments that have already been tried,\u201d Dr. Camp says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Lee agrees that he would begin a visit by taking a thorough patient history. He would start by asking a patient to describe any symptoms that concern them. He would inquire about their history, asking questions such as:<\/span><\/p>\n