Pain under the right armpit in a woman: causes, possible diseases and treatment methods

We asked Bulat Yunusov, a surgeon at GMS Hospital, to tell us why armpits can hurt and what to do about it.

The armpit area is a very sensitive area. Sweat glands are located on thin, delicate skin, and underneath are lymph nodes, an artery and a vein, several nerves of the brachial plexus, and muscles. Any damage or inflammation immediately leads to pain. In most cases, armpit pain is not dangerous in the long term, but in some cases it can be a warning sign from the body.

The pain can be one-sided or two-sided. Pain can be caused by a process that occurs in the armpit area, or it may be a consequence of a disease in another part of the body or organ.

Injuries and pain in the armpit

So-called traumatic armpit pain can occur in women and men. Most often it is associated with sprained muscles and ligaments of the shoulder joint. However, armpit pain can be caused by an impact, heavy lifting, or an uncomfortable position during sleep.

When an injury occurs, a person does not experience sharp pain, but it is aching and constant, and the arm is limited in movement.

The armpit will hurt after breast surgery. The fact is that during manipulation, the nervous tissue in the chest area is damaged. This reduces sensitivity, on the one hand, and on the other, provokes referred pain in the axillary area. In the postoperative period, the armpit hurts for a long time, at first with sharp, stabbing manifestations, later in a somewhat muted version. To relieve such painful sensations, the doctor prescribes painkillers.

Diagnostics

General surgeons and oncologists are most often involved in determining the causes of pain in the armpit. Depending on the etiology of the disease, consultations with a traumatologist, dermatologist, and other specialists are prescribed. The examination program includes:

• Survey
  . The doctor finds out when and under what circumstances the pain syndrome first appeared, what symptoms were accompanied, how the pathology developed, whether the pain is related to external circumstances, and whether it is cyclical.
• Visual inspection
  . When conducting an objective examination, the specialist evaluates the appearance of the axillary area, identifies swelling, hyperemia, skin defects, determines the range of movements, and palpates bones, muscles, ligaments and lymph nodes.
• Ultrasonography.
  Sonography of soft tissues confirms inflammation or damage to ligaments and muscles, and the presence of space-occupying lesions. During an ultrasound of the lymph nodes, lymphadenopathy is detected, the size and contours of accumulations of lymphoid tissue, and their relationship with other structures are examined.
• Radiography.
  In case of injuries, an X-ray examination of the shoulder joint is prescribed; in case of lymphadenopathy, middle-aged and older women undergo mammography. Young patients are more likely to undergo breast ultrasound.
• Needle biopsy.
  It is carried out if tumor formations are suspected. Allows you to establish the structure and degree of differentiation of cells, confirm the presence of regional lymphogenous metastases.
• Lab tests.
  They indicate the presence of inflammatory processes and allow one to assess the condition of the body in severe diseases.

Ultrasound of lymph nodes in the axillary region

Underarm pain in women and the menstrual cycle

Women experience such pain in the armpits that become a harbinger of the onset of menstruation. This occurs due to the formation of a compaction in the upper or outer lobes of the mammary glands, and pain from the chest area moves to the armpit. Unpleasant sensations affect one side or both armpits at once.

This phenomenon is called mastalgia. However, it is difficult to describe the same manifestations of pain. In one case it is an aching pain, in the other it is sharp and squeezing. Very often, such axillary pain does not even allow you to move your arms.

The symptom can appear throughout the reproductive period. Menopause causes pain to subside, but pain may increase when taking hormonal pills.

Mastalgia

Aching pain in the armpits in women can be associated with hormonal fluctuations during the monthly cycle. This symptom complex is called mastalgia. The pain is periodic. They occur in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, shortly before the onset of menstruation.

The pain is localized in the mammary glands and is noted on both the right and left sides. Unpleasant sensations radiate to the armpit area. Most often they are not pronounced and do not cause any particular inconvenience. However, in some cases the pain can be quite intense.

Mastalgia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• engorgement of the mammary glands in the second half of the menstrual cycle;
• slight enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes (in rare cases);
• disappearance of pain after the onset of menstruation;
• mood swings (irritability, tearfulness).

This symptom complex is not a pathology. Under the influence of natural hormones, the patient’s mammary glands become engorged and lymph outflow worsens. This leads to pain syndrome.

Mastalgia is observed in many women throughout the reproductive period. This symptom disappears only during menopause. However, if during menopause the patient undergoes a course of hormone replacement therapy, then she may experience cyclical chest pain, radiating to the axillary region.

What to do if you have pain in the armpit before your period? In women, slight discomfort during this period is considered a natural phenomenon. However, if the pain syndrome is severe and disturbs your well-being, then it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment. Patients are prescribed analgesics, drugs with estrogens, and sedatives. Taking diuretics is also indicated, this will help normalize the outflow of lymph. Women suffering from mastalgia are advised to limit their fluid intake.

Axillary pain of oncological origin

Quite often, such a terrible disease as breast cancer is asymptomatic. In many cases, it is diagnosed during a routine mammogram. The symptom of axillary pain can become a signal of cancer, especially in combination with the appearance of a lump.

It is important to know that the likelihood of breast cancer is higher in women who have not given birth or those who have given birth for the first time after 30 years of age. Of course, the list of provoking factors includes smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming fatty foods.

Family history plays an important role, that is, heredity, early menstruation and late menopause, possible breast injuries, diagnosed diabetes mellitus and obesity, hypertension and more than 10 years of using oral contraceptives. All these are cancer-causing factors. Try to exclude at least those that are subject to human control.

Sebaceous cyst

Pain under the armpit of a woman (on the right or left - it doesn’t matter) can be caused by a sebaceous gland cyst - atheroma. This formation under the skin looks like a ball filled with fatty contents. It is mobile and has clear contours.

The axillary region is rich in sebaceous glands. A cyst is formed as a result of their blockage. This is facilitated by poor hygiene, excessive sweating, excessive consumption of fatty foods and the use of certain medications. Atheroma is a benign neoplasm. But in rare cases, it can develop into a dangerous tumor.

In the initial stages, atheroma is not accompanied by pain and does not cause any particular inconvenience to the patient. However, the cyst easily becomes infected and suppurates. When bacteria penetrate the surface of the neoplasm, a white head forms. Pain under the armpit on the right or left usually appears at the stage of suppuration of atheroma.

The abscess takes a long time to mature and often breaks out on its own. But in such cases, atheroma, as a rule, recurs after some time. Therefore, it is recommended to remove it surgically along with the capsule. Only in this case can you get rid of the cyst completely.

Under no circumstances should you try to squeeze out festering atheroma on your own. At home, it is impossible to completely remove the cyst along with the capsule, but you can very easily introduce an infection into the resulting wound.

Armpit pain due to allergies

If you have pain in the armpit that is more like itching, you should check for allergic skin irritation. This reaction occurs to frequent depilation, poor quality deodorant, increased sweating or excessive skin contamination.

Visually, this manifestation looks like swelling, with a small rash and redness. Scratching inside can easily cause infection. The allergen can be eliminated only after a thorough examination and prescription of antihistamines.

Herpes zoster

Pain on the right under the armpit and in the ribs may be a sign of herpes zoster. This disease affects women who have had chickenpox in the past. The causative agent of the pathology (Herpes zoster virus) remains in the human body forever. Its reactivation leads to the occurrence of herpes zoster.

The virus attacks nerve endings. At the beginning of the disease, aching pain appears under the armpit and in the ribs. Then pink spots form on the skin. After a few days, they turn into bubbles filled with liquid. The patient's temperature rises and her health worsens. The pain intensifies sharply, becomes burning and unbearable.

Patients are prescribed antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Famvir), as well as painkillers (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen). Antiherpetic ointments (Zovirax, Herpetad, Vivorax) are used to treat skin rashes.

It is important to remember that a patient with shingles can transmit the virus to others through airborne droplets or contact. In an infected person, the disease occurs in the form of chickenpox.

Lymph nodes and armpit pain

Lymph nodes in the armpit area can not only hurt, but also become inflamed. In this case, pathological changes are divided into two groups:

1. Lymphadenopathy is not a disease, but an enlargement of the lymph nodes, as a sign of a disease. These may include tuberculosis, lymphoma, melanoma, brucellosis, rubella and breast cancer. Silicone implants in the breast cause the same sensations. Lymphadenopathy causes not only pain in the lymph nodes in the armpits, but also weight loss, severe sweating, increased body temperature, and enlarged liver and spleen.
2. Lymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph node. As inflammation develops, the skin in the area of ​​the enlarged lymph node becomes red and hot. Over time, the lymph node turns into a dense formation. The patient has fever, frequent chills and headache, he is tormented by sweating and general malaise. The pain in the lymph nodes in the armpits is becoming more and more severe. The abscess matures gradually and its contents burst out. As soon as all the pus is released, the symptoms of the disease disappear. However, if you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Treatment

Pre-hospital assistance

In case of traumatic injuries, rest is recommended. Patients with intense pain are advised to use a bandage; it is recommended to apply pain-relieving ointments outside the hair growth area. You should not remove insect bites yourself. Signs of inflammation, severe pain, general hyperthermia are indications for immediate consultation with a doctor. Lymphadenopathy, even in the absence of pain or minor pain, may indicate the presence of a serious disease, therefore, in such cases, examination by a specialist is also required.

Conservative therapy

In case of traumatic injuries, a protective regime with limited physical activity is necessary, and physical therapy is possible. Some other diseases require drug therapy:

• Pyoderma and nonspecific lymphadenitis
  . Antibiotics are prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen. Antibiotic therapy is often carried out against the background of surgical procedures.
• Tuberculous lymphadenitis
  . Long-term treatment with tuberculostatics, immunomodulators, and sometimes in combination with corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and other methods is indicated.
• Diseases of the mammary glands
  . For mastopathy, hormonal drugs are used; for premenstrual syndrome, hormone therapy is supplemented with sedatives, antiallergics, and diuretics. Antibiotics are used for mastitis. For cancerous tumors, hormone therapy is carried out and chemotherapy drugs are administered.

Armpit pain caused by inflammatory diseases

Purulent inflammation of the sweat glands or hidradenitis quite often occurs in the armpits.

The disease most often affects adults, since in children the sweat glands in this area are not yet active.

The disease is accompanied by itching and swelling, pain in the axillary area and the formation of an abscess. General intoxication of the body occurs, expressed by weakness, fatigue, increased body temperature and headaches.

Another disease associated with inflammation and pain in the armpit area is atheroma. This is a sebaceous cyst. Pathology is formed during blockage of the ducts. However, the patient feels severe pain already during the suppuration of the atheroma. At this time, tissue swelling occurs and the temperature rises. The disease develops according to two scenarios: pus breaks out on its own or the formation is overgrown with connective tissue, gradually turning into a spherical tumor. It is impossible to say that such a formation will degenerate into a malignant tumor. This happens quite rarely.

A purulent and very unpleasant disease in the armpit area is a boil, when inflammation of the hair follicle and the surrounding connective tissue occurs. At first, the boil appears as a single rash with slight redness. A purulent point, the so-called boil core, forms in the center. The reason why a boil may develop is still not completely clear. It is known that in some people the disease with armpit pain occurs due to contamination and microtrauma of the skin. For others, it is caused by metabolic disorders and decreased immunity.

The inflammatory disease pyoderma consists of purulent skin lesions due to the introduction of staphylococci or streptococci. This condition occurs with microtraumas and severe contamination of the skin, as well as in cases of severe hypothermia or, conversely, overheating. Sometimes it manifests itself due to metabolic disorders. With pyoderma, the inflamed area is very itchy, but there is no fever, aches, or other symptoms of a cold.

Causes

The following diseases and conditions can cause armpit pain in women:

• enlargement and inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• inflammatory process and suppuration of sweat glands;
• cyclical hormonal changes in the female body;
• breast neoplasms;
• atheroma;
• herpes zoster;
• allergy;
• muscle injuries.

Only a doctor can establish the exact etiology of the pain syndrome. Therefore, if discomfort occurs in the armpit, you should urgently seek medical help.

Next, we will look in detail at the most common diseases that cause pain under the armpit on the right side.

Underarm pain and cardiovascular diseases

Both men and women may experience armpit pain due to coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

IHD and heart attack cause pain on the left side, accompanied by the main localization of pain behind the sternum. Coronary artery disease is accompanied by severe weakness, shortness of breath, a desire to take a forced sitting position, and swelling of the lower extremities. Myocardial infarction, in addition to shortness of breath, causes heaviness in the chest, sudden pallor, dizziness and even loss of consciousness. Signs of IHD can be relieved with nitroglycerin, but in case of a heart attack only an ambulance will help.

The causes of armpit pain can be completely different, but only a specialist can diagnose them. This could be a dermatologist, allergist, surgeon, cardiologist, oncologist, endocrinologist, or even a therapist. Choose your doctor's specialty through the 2doc online service. Remember that only a qualified doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Lymphadenitis

With this disease, the lymph node becomes inflamed and suppurates. Pain occurs under the armpits in women when pressing on the affected area. The cause of inflammation is the penetration of infection.

First, a small painful lump appears under the skin. The affected area then turns dark red and feels hot to the touch. The pain syndrome is very pronounced. Subsequently, a white head appears on the inflamed skin. This sign indicates the maturation of the abscess. The abscess usually breaks out on its own, after which the pain disappears and relief occurs.

Lymphadenitis is also accompanied by the following symptoms:

• increased temperature;
• deterioration of general condition;
• chills.

This pathology is treated by a surgeon. Oral antibiotics are prescribed, as well as local antibacterial ointments, which accelerate the breakthrough of the abscess. In severe cases, the inflamed lymph node is opened and drained.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of pain in the armpit, the following recommendations must be followed:

1. Use only hypoallergenic hygiene products (soap, deodorants).
2. Keep the armpits clean.
3. Avoid excessive exposure to heat, as this promotes increased sweating.
4. You need to be very careful when shaving armpit hair. Even small cuts and scratches can become a gateway for infection.
5. During the second phase of the menstrual cycle, you should not drink large amounts of liquid. This will help avoid mastalgia.

Women over 40 years of age must undergo an annual mammography examination and donate blood for tumor markers. At this age, the risk of breast cancer increases. Regular examination will help prevent the development of dangerous tumors.

How to relieve pain

What to do if you have pain under the armpit on the right (or left)? This symptom can be caused by a variety of reasons. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, because pain can be a sign of dangerous pathologies. It is necessary to visit a doctor, undergo all necessary diagnostic tests and cure the underlying disease. After all, pain always signals trouble in the body.

If the pain syndrome is very severe, then at the pre-medical stage the following measures can be taken:

1. Take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever tablet, such as Ibuprofen.
2. For injuries, you can apply cold to the armpit.
3. If the pain under the arms is caused by irritation of the epidermis, then you can apply Bepanten ointment or Rescuer balm to the inflamed skin. However, such drugs are not recommended for use in case of inflammation of the lymph nodes or sweat glands.

Immediately before visiting a doctor, you should not take large doses of painkillers. This can blur the clinical picture and make diagnosis difficult.

Redness caused by fungi

Redness under the arms can be the result of a fungal skin infection called tinea capitis. Most often, this is candidiasis-dermatomycosis, caused by yeast of the genus Candida (most often Candida albicans). They are an integral part of a healthy body, but can cause problems if they multiply excessively. This occurs when the body’s immune defense is weakened (stress, exhaustion, antibiotics).

An important role in the development of these skin changes is played by local damage to which candida easily “attaches.” The fungus then manifests itself as an infection that affects the entire body (systemic infection) or specific parts of it, such as nails, skin, scalp or mucous membranes (vaginal candidiasis, candidiasis of the digestive system, skin infection - ringworm).

Most often, ringworm occurs in skin folds, under the arms, on the chest and in the groin. It begins with mild itching, followed by redness, cracking, and marginal peeling of the skin. It is treated with antifungal creams under the supervision of a dermatologist.

To prevent the development of dermatomycosis, it is necessary to keep the areas of skin folds clean and dry, since moisture promotes the growth of fungi. Fungal infections are also more common in areas where there are large numbers of people, such as schools, daycare centers and swimming pools. Therefore, after visiting public areas, it is recommended to take a shower and dry thoroughly with a towel so that moisture does not get into the armpits and other folds of the skin.