What are these painful lumps under armpit?

Question

I have had these painful lumps under my armpit that are not going away. I have an appt. w/ a doctor tommorrow, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had these? If so, what was the outcome?

Answer 1

Lymph nodes are glands that play an important part in your body's defense against infection. They produce lymph, which travels throughout your body in the lymph system, and filters impurities from the body.

Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:

Groin
Armpit
Neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes on either side of the front of the neck, both sides of the neck, and down each side of the back of the neck)
Under the jaw and chin
Behind the ears
On the back of the head
Lymph nodes can become swollen from infection, inflammatory conditions, an abscess, or cancer. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are rare. By far, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.

When swelling appears suddenly and is painful, it is usually caused by injury or an infection. Enlargement that comes on gradually and painlessly may, in some cases, result from cancer or a tumor.

Common Causes Return to top

Infections that commonly cause swollen lymph nodes include mononucleosis, German measles (rubella), tuberculosis, mumps, ear infection, tonsillitis, an abscessed or impacted tooth, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), mouth sores, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes include rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. Cancers that can cause swollen glands include leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the type of problem and the body parts involved. Identifying the location can help determine the possible cause.

Swollen lymph nodes may also be caused by some medications (like phenytoin for seizures) or certain vaccinations (namely, typhoid).

Answer 2

There are lymph nodes in your underarms called your axillary lymph nodes. You may have noticed in the past that the lymph nodes in your neck have been swollen and painful when you have a sore throat or the flu. Basically, your immune system is trying to fight off the disease and it kills the bacteria in the lymph nodes. So during that time, the lymph nodes may feel swollen and painful and you may have a fever since increasing your temperature can help to kill of the bacteria. Some people just will always have lymph nodes that are easily felt at the different locations of lymph nodes around the body and some only when they are sick or have been sick. There are other causes that that will make lymph nodes swollen, too, such as cancer, but it is very rare. Most likely it is just an immune response. Just go see your doctor and don't worry too much beforehand. Just listen closely and make sure to take any medications they might give you consistently and for the whole time period.

Answer 3

Don't panic. Whenever I shaved my underarms - which is a great deterrent for guys with a strong odor - and put on deodorant right after, I would get that lump that you're talking about. I wised up to what was going on, stopped doing it and haven't had these lumps ever since. If you're not doing this either, it may be something else. Take control of your health-- most doctors really know very little, that's why they call their "businesses" a "practice". Do some more research on the Internet, library, with people, etc. so that he/she won't be able to frighten you into some bullsh*t prescription toxin, I mean drug, or some other service that may not even be needed. Ok, good luck with that!

Answer 4

Dont take alternative medicines dont listen to quacks and friends who say oh its nothing. Imediately go to a doctor and ask for help. Youll need a mammogram and more then likely a medical procedure fo some type. But first and foremost go to a doctor and get checked out. it is possible that the lump may be nothing more then an infected cyst or similar, And I hope and pray thats all it is for you. But should it turn out to be more serious then a doctor can hep you. Especially with a family history of the illness. Be with family and friends as well should the worst case scenario come to pass. It is always helpful to have people close to help deal with the bad stuff. I wish you the best of luck and my thoughts will be with you.

Answer 5

Hi there!, I have had these painful lumps as well. I went to the doctor, and he explained to me that they were probably just swollen lymph nodes, and to watch them for a few weeks. After about a week they went down and I haven't had any problems with thtem since! Go to your doctor, it will give you piece of mind!

Answer 6

Perhaps enlarged lymph nodes or maybe abscesses due to systemic infection or friction. The doctor will fix you up tomorrow, so try not to worry! :)

Answer 7

Do you shave and then put deodorant on right away? You will get lumps if you do that. Best idea would be get to your doctor and ask him.

Answer 8

Wendy, those bumps could be a skin irritation brought on by deoderant, shaving or hives. Try switching deoderants and not shaving for a week and see what that does.

Answer 9

I am glad you are going to the doctor...its hard to say, try not to worry right now about it.

Answer 10

In grown hairs.