What Does Ringworm Look Like?
What You Need To Know About Armpit Pain
Many factors can contribute to or cause armpit pain, including some skin issues, infections, and immune conditions.
Muscle strainHealthcare professionals describe muscle strain as an injury to the muscles or tendons. The fibers in the muscles and tendons may overstretch or tear.
People taking part in sports and activities that involve lifting, pulling, or throwing may injure muscles and experience armpit pain.
Strained pectoral (chest) muscles, which people use for lifting and pulling, can often cause underarm pain.
Damage to the coracobrachialis muscle, or upper arm muscle, may also cause armpit pain. This muscle assists people in throwing and pushing motions.
Swollen lymph nodesWhen a person has an infection, the lymph nodes may swell. This causes the immune cells to go to that area to attack the infection, causing inflammation and pain.
Causes of swollen lymph nodes include:
Swollen lymph nodes typically go down within a few days or weeks. If the swelling lasts for more than 4 weeks, a person should contact a doctor.
Allergens and skin irritantsMany 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 itching, burning, and tiny blisters. People typically get the rash 1–2 days after coming into contact with the allergen.
Irritant contact dermatitis can result in an itchy rash, stinging, pain, swelling, and heat. As the reaction is almost immediate, people can often quickly identify what irritates their skin.
Learn how to patch-test skin products.
Bacterial and fungal infectionsRingworm, or tinea, is a common fungal infection affecting the uppermost layer of skin. It triggers a discolored, ring-shaped rash. Ringworm rashes can be painful and lead to inflamed, itchy, and scaling skin.
As fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, the armpit is an ideal location for the infections that fungi can cause.
Bacteria flourish in moisture and warmth, so bacterial infections can develop quickly and contribute to inflammation and pain in the area.
Learn about common fungal infections.
IntertrigoFriction and moisture in the folds of the skin can lead to a type of inflammation called intertrigo. Symptoms of intertrigo include itchy skin, pain, tingling, and burning in the affected area.
Without treatment, secondary bacterial or fungal infections may also develop, causing further pain.
CystsCysts are painful lumps that can develop when bodily fluids build up in the armpits.
Staphylococcus bacteria, which typically live on the skin, can cause an infection to develop in the cysts.
CancerThe lymph nodes in the chest, including those in the armpits, often work extremely hard when cancer develops in the upper body.
In particular, painful lymph nodes develop in response to breast cancer, lymphomas, and respiratory cancers.
Some people may also experience painful lymph nodes as a side effect of cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Cancers that commonly cause armpit pain include:
LipomasA lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that feels rubbery. A person can move it around under the skin. Most lipomas are noncancerous and do not cause pain.
However, lipomas that grow rapidly can cause pain by putting pressure on nerves or blood vessels. In these cases, a healthcare professional may recommend surgery to remove the growth.
Boils or ingrown hairsWhen inflammation occurs in a single hair follicle, a boil or furuncle may develop. Boils are discolored, swollen lumps that are tender to the touch.
When neighboring hair follicles become infected, the underlying tissue may feel inflamed and painful.
DiabetesDiabetes can cause neuropathy, or nerve damage. A common symptom of neuropathy is burning pain in the affected body part.
Diabetic neuropathy may develop in people whose blood sugars are consistently high.
Some autoimmune conditionsLupus is a long-term (chronic) autoimmune condition that causes inflammation throughout the body, including in the lymph nodes.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another example. This condition can lead to swelling and inflammation of the inner tissues of the joints, which may affect the armpit.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that has effects on the skin on 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.
Hidradenitis suppurativaHidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the sweat glands beneath the hair follicles. It often affects the armpits and groin, where the skin rubs together.
Symptoms typically begin as pimple-like bumps or blisters that turn into cysts and boils. Eventually, these may burst and leave scars as they heal.
ShinglesShingles causes a painful and scaly rash that often affects the chest, back, and armpits.
The rash typically clears within 7–10 days.
Peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease narrows the blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart. It is more common in the legs but can affect the arms.
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. Without oxygen, muscle cells begin to wither and die, which can cause intense pain.
Breast cancerSwelling or lumps around the collarbone and armpit may indicate that breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Occasionally, this is the first sign of the disease.
Doctors may recommend a biopsy to find out whether the nodes contain cancer. If they do, a surgeon will likely remove them.
Can Itchy Armpits Be A Sign Of Cancer?
A person's armpits may itch due to irritation, infection, or a skin condition, such as eczema or dermatitis. Rarely, however, itchy armpits may be a sign of cancer, such as lymphoma or inflammatory breast cancer.
This article describes two types of cancer that may cause itchy armpits. We also outline six less severe causes of underarm itching, tips on preventing itching, and when to see a doctor.
The armpit, also known as the axilla, refers to the underside of the shoulder joint, where the shoulder connects to the arm. This area features many different structures, such as skin, hair, sweat glands, nerve endings, blood vessels, and lymph nodes.
Due to all these structures, in addition to the warmth and dampness of the armpit, it is not uncommon for a person to experience itchy armpits. As it is a sensitive area, people are likely to notice any irritation. Usually, itching can result from inflammation, rashes, infections, or allergies. However, on rare occasions, itching may occur due to a more serious issue such as cancer.
Most cases of underarm itching are due to noncancerous skin conditions.
However, lymphomas and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) are two types of cancer that may cause underarm itching.
LymphomaLymphocytes are white blood cells that help to protect the body from infection and disease. Lymphoma is cancer that affects these cells. There are many different types of lymphoma. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Itching affects around 33% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma and some 10% of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Itching occurs due to chemicals called cytokines, which irritate nerve endings in the skin. The immune system releases cytokines in response to lymphoma cells.
Itching may occur at locations where there are lymph nodes. There are hundreds of lymph nodes at different sites throughout the body, including in the armpits.
Other places that may itch include the areas of skin affected by lymphoma and the lower legs. In some cases, itchiness may affect the whole body.
Other symptoms of lymphoma include:
Inflammatory breast cancerIBC is a rare type of breast cancer that may cause itching of the breast and surrounding areas.
Other symptoms of IBC include:
Breast tenderness, warmth, swelling, and itching are often signs of less severe illness, such as an infection rather than cancer.
In these cases, if there are no other symptoms, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
If symptoms do not improve within 7–10 days of antibiotic treatment, people should return to a doctor who can arrange tests to check for signs of cancer or another condition.
The following six conditions are more common causes of underarm itching.
IntertrigoIntertrigo is a rash that develops in the folds of the skin. Intertrigo occurs when heat and moisture become trapped between the skin folds, resulting in the growth of yeast, fungi, or bacteria.
The rash itself is usually red or brown and may itch or burn.
Intertrigo commonly develops in the armpits. It may also occur in the following areas:
A doctor may prescribe a topical steroid cream to ease itching and irritation. In severe cases, they may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal cream to clear the infection.
EczemaThe term eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause skin irritation. The most common symptoms are itchiness, color changes, and inflammation. These may occur anywhere on the body.
Some people may also find that eczema affects their skin in other ways. Other skin symptoms may include:
Although there is no cure for eczema, some treatments and strategies can help to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
People should visit a doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis and to discuss possible treatments.
Irritant contact dermatitisIrritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a type of eczema. ICD occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant.
The condition can develop from a single exposure to a toxic substance or repeated exposure to an irritating substance.
Any substance that comes into contact with the underarm area has the potential to irritate. Examples include:
Itching, burning, and stinging are common symptoms of ICD. In severe cases, the skin may crack and bleed.
People who suspect they have ICD should contact a doctor who will likely prescribe treatments to heal the skin and prevent the condition from worsening.
Learn more about the triggers and treatment options for contact dermatitis here.
Heat rashHeat rash, also known as miliaria, is a skin irritation that usually occurs in hot, humid weather.
Heat rash occurs when the sweat glands clog up and are unable to release sweat. Water trapped within the glands causes them to swell. This results in a painful itching or prickling sensation.
Heat rash usually appears as a cluster of small pimples or blisters. The clusters commonly occur in the armpits and other places where skin touches skin.
Areas where heat rash may occur include:
Heat rash usually resolves once the skin has cooled. Applying cold compresses and wearing loose clothing can ease skin irritation.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a lotion to help relieve pain and discomfort.
HyperhidrosisHyperhidrosis is a condition in which the sweat glands produce an excessive amount of sweat.
This condition may affect sweat glands across the entire body, or those in specific areas, such as the armpits.
Although hyperhidrosis can cause embarrassment and discomfort, it is a relatively harmless condition. However, hyperhidrosis increases the risk of fungal infections, which can cause underarm itching.
Poor hygieneThe armpits are home to many different bacteria. Poor hygiene practices can lead to a buildup of sweat and dirt on the skin, which causes these bacteria to multiply.
Excess bacteria lead to odor and an increased risk of infection, which may cause itching as a result.
Keeping the underarms clean is important for preventing itchy armpits.
People should speak with a doctor if they think their underarm itching could be a sign of cancer. Some cancers are more treatable when detected early.
People should also consult a doctor if they are concerned about the following:
A doctor will examine the underarm and will prescribe any necessary treatments.
In some cases, a doctor may refer the person to a dermatologist for specialist treatment.
Many causes of itchy armpits are preventable.
The following tips may help prevent bacterial and fungal infections:
The following tips may help alleviate symptoms of underarm eczema:
Itchy armpits are usually a sign of a noncancerous skin condition. Common examples include skin infections or a chronic skin condition such as eczema. A doctor will be able to provide treatment for these conditions.
Rarely, itchy armpits may be a sign of cancer. Lymphoma and IBC are two cancers that can cause underarm itching.
People should contact a doctor if underarm itching occurs alongside any other concerning symptoms.
I Let My 12-year-old Get Her Eyebrows & Armpits Waxed – My Family Shame Me For It, But I Don't Care, She Was Bullied
AS a parent, you would do anything to protect your children.
And one mum decided to let her 12-year-old daughter get waxed after she was getting bullied at school.
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She let her daughter wax her monobrow after being bullied at schoolCredit: GettyDespite doing what she could to make her daughter feel confident - it seemed not everyone in her family agreed with her.
Taking to Kidspot the mum relayed the story to others saying she decided to allow her to do it after kids began making mean comments.
She explained: "My daughter *Lilly has had quite a pronounced body (arms and legs) and facial hair (above her lip and monobrow) for years.
"Up until the age of 10 she hadn't really been too bothered by it but then because of mean comments other kids at school started to say to her, it did."
Her daughter came rushing home from school in tears after her body hair was pointed out by other pupils.
"From memory," the mum said, "they referred to her as being a man in a girl's body because of the distinct hair above her lip."
The mum said she thought this day would come as she suffered similarly as a youngster.
She continued: "I was hoping that she could at least get through primary school without her appearance being at the forefront of her mind.
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I budgeted £100 each for my kids' Xmas gifts - trolls say they 'have nothing'"I have done my best to prepare for issues with body image and appearance... I guess though, no matter what sort of approach you take, you can't stop kids being kids and nasty comments being said."
However, with that said, the comments just 'kept coming'.
"For a few years, Lilly had wanted to have the hair on her face removed," the mum revealed. "She asked why it was okay for me to do it but not her.
"I tried to explain why these features shouldn't be embarrassing and also that she was a bit too young which she begrudgingly accepted."
But once she hit 12, her mum agreed to take her for a wax at a salon - which she claimed she 'didn't find it too painful at all'.
However, not everyone was on board with the beauty treatment.
The mum expressed that her sister-in-law shamed her for it.
The family member asked: "Why on earth would you take a 12-year-old to get waxed?!
"Surely, there are age restrictions on doing things like that and even if there aren't, surely as a parent you have a responsibility to your children?
"Not only is it physically painful but what sort of message are you sending, encouraging your impressionable child to have her hair removed?"
The sister-in-law added: "What happened to the unfair beauty standards that you are always going on about? Rather than modelling them, you have done the opposite."
The mum was left in tears and claimed the conversation felt more like a lecture and her sister-in-law refused to apologise.
Now the mum was left wondering if she had let her daughter get hair removal too young.
She admitted that while her child is 'much happier' and 'more confident' now that the hair has been removed - the mum still has doubts.
"I know that I haven't traumatised her like my sister-in-law insisted I would," she concluded, before admitting: "I still always have a question in the back of my mind about whether it was the right time."
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