What Causes Armpit Pain?

Swollen Lymph Nodes

The presence of enlarged lymph nodes may cause armpit pain. In the beginning, patients might not find any swelling or visible lumps. In some cases, swelling might occur on one side while in others it might happen on both armpits. However, lymph nodes can become large due to many reasons, such as infections (both viral and bacterial), autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. If infections occur on the arm, chest, hand, upper abdomen, and the chest they can also drain into the nodes and cause swelling and pain. Additionally, when different cancers spread to the axillary lymph nodes, they cause lymphomas. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can be an indicator of early cancer. The enlarged lymph nodes caused by infection are mobile, soft, and tender. Those resulting from cancer are fixed, firm, and non-tender.

Get the details on more potential causes of armpit pain.