Armpit pain, or axillary pain, is a common complaint. While many instances are benign and resolve without intervention, understanding underlying causes is important. These can range from minor muscle strains to more significant medical conditions requiring professional evaluation.
Common Reasons for Armpit Pain
Muscle strain is a frequent cause of armpit discomfort. Strenuous activities involving the chest, shoulder, or arm can lead to muscle injuries. Pain from these strained muscles can radiate to the armpit, a deep ache or tenderness worsening with movement.
Skin irritation and infections are common causes. Folliculitis (hair follicle inflammation) can cause localized pain and redness. Ingrown hairs, contact dermatitis, and skin infections can also cause armpit discomfort. Blocked or inflamed sweat glands also cause irritation and pain.
Swollen lymph nodes frequently cause armpit pain. These glands are part of the immune system, trapping pathogens. They commonly enlarge and become tender in response to routine infections or minor injuries. Certain vaccinations, like the COVID-19 vaccine, can also temporarily cause swelling and tenderness near the injection site.
Less commonly, nerve compression can result in armpit pain. Conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome, where nerves or blood vessels are compressed, can lead to radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the arm and armpit. Irritation of the brachial plexus can also cause armpit discomfort. These issues often present with additional symptoms beyond localized pain.
Less Common or Serious Causes of Armpit Pain
Breast-related conditions can frequently cause pain radiating into the armpit. Fibrocystic breast changes, with benign lumps and tenderness, often cause pain that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle and is felt in the armpit. Breast cysts and mastitis, a breast infection common in breastfeeding individuals, can also lead to localized pain, swelling, and warmth extending to the armpit. While often painless, breast cancer can sometimes present with armpit pain, especially if the tumor involves lymph nodes, nerve tissue, or a lump is felt there.
Cardiovascular issues can sometimes manifest as referred pain in the left armpit or arm. Conditions like angina (chest pain from reduced heart blood flow) or a heart attack can cause discomfort radiating to the left arm, shoulder, jaw, or armpit. Pain is typically accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or chest pressure. Recognizing these symptoms is important as they indicate a medical emergency.
Significant infections can also lead to severe armpit pain. An abscess, a pus collection, can cause intense pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the armpit. Cellulitis, a rapidly spreading bacterial skin infection, presents with similar symptoms but typically covers a larger area and may include fever and chills. These infections require prompt medical attention to prevent complications.
Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, can result in burning, tingling, or stabbing pain in the armpit. This neuropathic pain often precedes a characteristic rash of blisters along a nerve pathway. The pain can be severe and may persist even after the rash resolves, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Consult a healthcare professional if armpit pain persists or worsens. Seek immediate medical attention for a new lump or swelling in the armpit or breast, even if painless. Pain with increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever suggests an infection requiring treatment.
Unusual nipple discharge, particularly if bloody or spontaneous, along with armpit pain, should prompt a doctor’s visit. Pain radiating to the chest, jaw, or arm, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea, could signal a heart problem and requires urgent medical assessment. Sudden, severe, and unexplained armpit pain also requires prompt evaluation. Pain interfering with daily activities or sleep is another indication to seek medical advice.
Understanding Diagnosis and Management
A healthcare professional will take a detailed medical history. They will inquire about the pain’s characteristics: onset, duration, intensity, and aggravating or alleviating factors. Information on recent injuries, infections, medications, and relevant personal or family medical history will also be gathered.
A physical examination of the armpit and surrounding areas, including the breast, shoulder, and neck, will identify any lumps, swelling, redness, or tenderness. This helps assess range of motion and identify muscle strain or nerve irritation. The physical assessment provides clues about the pain’s origin.
Depending on initial findings, several diagnostic tests might be ordered to pinpoint the cause. Blood tests, like a complete blood count (CBC) or inflammatory markers, can detect infection or inflammation. Imaging studies may include an armpit ultrasound to visualize soft tissues and lymph nodes, a mammogram for breast tissue, or an MRI for detailed imaging of nerves or complex structures. If a suspicious lump is found, a biopsy might analyze tissue samples.
The management of armpit pain depends on the underlying diagnosis. For common causes like muscle strain, rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and warm or cold compresses are recommended. Bacterial infections require antibiotics, while skin irritations are managed with topical creams or by avoiding irritants. If a complex condition is identified, such as a cardiovascular issue or a significant breast condition, a referral to a specialist like a cardiologist, oncologist, or neurologist will be made for specialized treatment and ongoing care.