Armpit pain can have many causes, ranging from injuries and irritants to infections that cause swollen lymph nodes.
The treatment varies by the cause, ranging from the avoidance of irritants to surgery andchemotherapy.
Ingrown Hairs
Aningrown hairis a hair that grows back into the skin, causing inflammation and pain.
Illustration by Alexandra Gordon for Verywell Health
Ingrown hairs cause skin that which are often red and itchy.
With a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched to a point where it starts to tear.
Hormonal Changes
Breast tenderness can occur just before and during yourmenstrual periods, extending to your armpit.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitisis an abnormal skin reaction to an irritant or allergy-causing substance (allergen).
In the armpit, it may be due to irritants like soap, deodorants, and body sprays.
Common allergens include laundry detergent, latex (used in certain bras), and topical antibiotics.
The classic symptom of contact dermatitis is an itchy, red rash with bumps or blisters.
There may also be skin dryness, cracking, burning, and flaking.
Lymph nodes work by trapping pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and neutralizing them with white blood cells known aslymphocytes.
Swelling in the armpit is known asaxillary lymphadenopathy.
Fungal Skin Infections
Skin folds in the armpits provide an ideal breeding ground forfungal infections.
There may be one or several lumps, which move easily with slight finger pressure.
Axillary Cysts
Cystsare generally benign, self-contained bumps filled with liquid or semi-solid matter.
Cysts in the armpits are most often triggered by the blockage ofsebaceousglandsthat secrete oils calledsebumonto the skin.
Sebaceous cysts occur in many parts of the body, including the breasts and armpits.
Those due to an infection can sometimes break open and leak pus.
The condition is the result of inflammation and infection ofsweat glands.
Hidredenitis suppurative can be painful, causing pea- to marble-sized lumps that grow larger and drain pus.
The condition is poorly understood, although it is strongly linked to smoking andobesity.
Symptoms include pain in the shoulders and armpits.
There may also be neck pain and numbness, weakness, or coldness in the fingers.
This nerve services the top of your chest, descending into the arms, armpits, and hands.
Symptoms include shooting or shocking pains, worsening with movement.
When an arm is affected, armpit pain is common due to reduced blood circulation through the axillary artery.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancercan cause armpit pain in several ways.
Firstly, it commonly causes axillary lymphadenopathy on the side nearest the affected breast.
In some cases, swollen lymph nodes are the first signs of the disease.
In some cases, rest and over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers may be sufficient to manage symptoms.
In others, medical interventions, including surgery, may be needed.
Mild injuries can usually be treated at home withR.I.C.E.
protocolinvolving rest, ice tool, compression bandages, and elevation of the affected limb.
Splints, braces, ornon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Advil (ibuprofen) may also help.
The treatment varies by the cause.
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