The armpit area is one of the most sensitive areas in our body since there is a large number of blood vessels and neural bundles in this part of the body. A person may be bothered by pain or discomfort in this area once in a while. Very often, these symptoms do not pose any danger, but you need to make sure you consider all the possible options. Let’s discuss some of the most common causes of pain in the armpit area.

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1. Swollen lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are organs of the immune system that help fight against various infectious agents. There are many groups of lymph nodes (cervical, occipital, subclavian, inguinal, popliteal, axillary). The enlargement of lymph nodes is associated with the development of an immune-inflammatory reaction in response to the presence of an infectious agent in the body. The main symptoms of inflammation include edema, pain, redness, and an increase in local temperature.

2. Heartburn

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Heartburn may manifest itself as pain in the left axillary region. This is a burning sensation that occurs as a result of the contents of the stomach entering into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). This symptom often occurs after eating, as well as when in a lying position.

3. Stretched or ruptured muscle fibers

Lifting heavy objects or doing intensive exercise can lead to armpit pain. In this case, the pain occurs as a result of damage to or stretching of the pectoral muscles or the latissimus muscle of the back. If you feel pain, you should stop exercising and immediately seek medical help.

4. Hair removal

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It goes without saying that hair removal is not the most pleasant procedure. If hair removal is done incorrectly, it can lead to the development of folliculitis. For example, using a blunt blade for shaving can lead to inflammation of the hair follicles accompanied by extremely unpleasant sensations in the axillary region. Besides, incorrect hair removal increases the likelihood of ingrown hairs, which also causes pain in the armpit area.

5. Peripheral artery disease

In some cases, pain in the armpits can be caused by peripheral arterial disease, which is characterized by occlusion or obturation of blood vessels that supply blood to the limbs. Often, a decrease in the lumen of the artery is due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The likelihood of this disease increases in patients with obesity, diabetes, and arterial hypertension.

6. Mammary cancer

Unfortunately, in some cases, pain in the axillary region is a symptom of breast cancer. This disease can also manifest itself in palpable formations in the chest, retraction of the nipple, skin discoloration, and ulceration of the parotid region.

7. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an allergic disease characterized by redness of the skin, rash, and pain in response to any stimulus. This reaction can be caused by deodorants and body wash products.

As you can see, pain in the armpits can be caused by a variety of different factors. If you have pain in the armpit area and are not 100% sure what the reason for the pain is, you should immediately consult a certified specialist.

This article is purely for informational purposes. Do not self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for harm that may result from using the information stated in the article