Lump in the armpit: possible causes, symptoms and what to do

Have you got a lump in your armpit and you don't know what it is? It has happened to many and many of us, and it doesn't have to be anything serious. Everything will depend on the characteristics of the lump and the associated symptoms. Always, however, we must go to a specialist to guide us.

In this article we will know some of the possible causes that explain why this appears lump, plus accompanying symptoms and ideas on what to do (alternative treatment).

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A lump in the armpit: is it serious, doctor?

A lump in the armpit is a small formation, which can be hard or soft, and that is created under the skin. This lump can be of different types and present some characteristics or others: rounded, uniform shape, associated pain, etc. Depending on all this, the causes of it will be one or the other.

Thus, it may be that on some occasion you have had a lump in your armpit. Before getting alarmed, remember that the appearance of one of them can be due to many factors. Let's see them below.

Possible causes

There are different causes that can explain the origin of a lump in the armpit. We are going to see the most common causes.

1. Formation of a cyst

The most common cause is a cyst (also called furunculosis or furuncle). But what exactly does it consist of and how is it produced? It is an infection of the hair follicle or an inflammation of the sweat glands.

That is, it is produced by an infection of the gland that produces sweat, which is what leads to the exit of hair from the armpits. When this gland becomes infected, there is an obstruction of the sweat outlet, which creates a tissue where it is very easy for bacteria to appear and reproduce.

The infection, if it persists over time and does not heal, ends up blocking the sweat outlet. As a result, the lump is formed in the armpit, that is, the cyst. This cyst usually hurts when we touch it or when pressing.

These infections are more common in women, and may also appear more frequently in people who suffer from risk factors, such as: diabetes, obesity and disorders immune.

2. Swollen lymph node

Another possible cause if a lump appears in the armpit, as we have already advanced, is swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes are located in the lymphatic vessels, and they are small structures that participate in the defense of our body.

Its objective is to filter the lymph, as well as to collect and eliminate possible bacteria and viruses (microorganisms) that want to enter the body. But why are the lymph nodes swollen? Because when our body protects itself against infection, the lymphocytes found in the interior of the ganglia, multiply at great speed, and in this way the ganglia are inflame.

So, when the cause of our lump in the armpit is a swollen lymph node, we should Go to a doctor to determine its cause well, since sometimes it underlies diseases serious.

3. Tumor

A lump in the armpit can also be a tumor. A tumor is an alteration of the tissues, which grow abnormally, producing an increase in their volume. Tumors can also appear in the armpits. These can be benign or malignant (cancer). However, it should be noted that this scenario is unlikely, so you should not worry, but you should go to your medical center to find out.

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4. Fat accumulation

The cause of the lump in the armpit can also be an accumulation of fat. This buildup forms under the skin, and is sometimes called a lipoma. In this case, they are solid lumps, and their structure is uniform. They are not infected, because they do not communicate with the outside through any pore.

In this case, it is not something serious, beyond the inconvenience it may cause. It can be removed through simple surgery or by liposuction (aspiration).

Symptoms

The symptoms that appear when we have a lump in the armpit can vary. However, when the lump is caused by inflammation, the main symptom is the pain of the lump (although it does not have to occur always).

Inflammation of the area can also occur. Sometimes pain and sudden swelling of the nodes is associated with an infectious origin of the tumor, and the absence of pain and swelling - with a tumor. But we must be careful, because these criteria are not always met, and only a specialist doctor can offer us a reliable diagnosis.

Other symptoms that may appear are: pain when pressing the lump, earache, rhinitis, skin lesions, discomfort when swallowing, etc. When these symptoms are added to the initial ones, it is likely that the cause of our lump is infectious.

However, when the cause is something else, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, the swollen glands do not produce pain and are accompanied by the following symptoms: itching, severe weight loss, tiredness, night sweats and fever. For its part, a lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in lymphocytes (white blood cells); Hodgkin lymphoma is one type of them.

Treatment

The main treatment used for a lump in the armpit, if it has been caused by an infection, are antibiotic drugs (usually staph). Staphylococcus is a bacteria that appears in clusters, in areas such as the skin or pharynx, in substances such as water, and also in the air.

Another option is to apply a topical antibiotic, always under medical prescription. Also, before the use of antibiotics, you can choose to use disinfectant ointments and hot compresses. Sometimes, depending on the case, it will be necessary to make an incision in the lump of the armpit so that the pus inside it comes out.

On the other hand, If the lump in the armpit does not disappear despite the use of antibiotic drugs, a drainage or surgical intervention is chosen. The goal will be to remove the lump completely. Drainage, for its part, is applied to the structure that always surrounds the bulk and produces a liquid. That structure will also need to be removed.

In addition to treatment, prevention will also be very important; That is why, after having a lump in the armpit, it is recommended to use germicidal or antiseptic gels for a while. It is also recommended to avoid oily and greasy deodorants and maintain proper hygiene.

Bibliographic references

• Amorrortu, J., González de Vicente, R., Gallo, S., Folch, J. and González Martínez, R. (2010). "Doctor, I have a lump in my armpit." Post-augmentation mammoplasty siliconomatous adenomegaly: report of eight cases. Ibero-Latinoamericana Plastic Surgery, 36 (2).

• Sáenz, J. (2009). Lymph node Practical case. XXXII Annual Meeting of the SEAP. Continuing Training Course. Fine needle puncture cytology (FNA).

• Sanitas. (2019). What to do if we detect a lump in the armpit? Health Library: Prevention - Health.