Underarm Symptoms

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Introduction

What are the signs of underarm problems?

Underarm symptoms include any symptom that appears under your arms or on the sides of your torso. Symptoms that may appear under your arms include bruising, skin changes, pain, a rash or itch, tingling or burning, or underarm lumps.

The anatomic term for the underarm area is axilla. Underarm symptoms vary widely in severity and underlying cause. Because of the wide variety of possible causes, it is important to determine what is causing any underarm symptoms that last longer than a few days.

The causes of underarm symptoms can vary from infections, such as shingles, to swollen axillary lymph nodes from an infection, to a cancerous tumor. The treatment and possible complications for any underarm symptoms depend on the cause of those symptoms.

Seek prompt medical care for any serious symptoms, including the appearance of painless lumps or nodules under your arms, a severely painful rash under your arms, or unexplained numbness or tingling under your arms.

Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with underarm symptoms?

Underarm symptoms may accompany symptoms in other areas of the body, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.

Common symptoms that may occur along with underarm symptoms

Underarm symptoms may accompany other symptoms including:

Fatigue
Malaise or lethargy
Muscle weakness
Numbness in the same or nearby area
Pain in the same or nearby area
Rash, especially a rash that occurs in a band on one side of the torso
Seizures or convulsions
Sudden change in vision, loss of vision, or eye pain
Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, underarm symptoms may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have underarm symptoms along with other serious symptoms including:

High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
Inability to move the arm or shoulder
Muscle weakness
Severe pain
Skin or underlying tissue abscess with spreading redness

Causes

What causes underarm symptoms?

Underarm symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Common causes of underarm symptoms include fungal infections and mild inflammation of the skin, because that area of the body is hot and moist. Other causes of underarm symptoms include head and neck injuries, shingles (herpes zoster virus infection), vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and serious conditions such as stroke.

Compression-related causes of underarm symptoms

Underarm symptoms may be caused by a compression injury including:

Fracture or dislocation that compresses a nerve or other tissue and causes underarm pain or tingling
Herniated disc that compresses a nerve and causes numbness or tingling under the arm
Neck, shoulder or back injury that compresses or injures the spinal cord or a nerve, causing tingling or numbness
Pressure on a nerve from a growing mass or tumor inside the body that causes pain or tingling

Disease-related causes of underarm symptoms

Underarm symptoms can also be caused by a variety of diseases or conditions including:

Cancer of the skin or soft tissues under the arm
Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm that are a result of local or metastatic cancer
Fungal or bacterial infection of the underarm skin
Hidradenitis suppurativa (cyst-like sweat gland abscesses)
Infection of the hair follicles under the arm
Infection that leads to enlarged lymph nodes under the arm
Infections such as shingles (herpes zoster)
Multiple sclerosis (disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing weakness, coordination and balance difficulties, and other problems)
Seizures or convulsions
Stroke
Transient ischemic attack (temporary stroke-like symptoms that may be a warning sign of an impending stroke)

Other causes of underarm symptoms

Underarm symptoms can also be caused by a variety of other conditions including:

Allergy or sensitivity such as contact dermatitis, especially to something applied directly to the underarm such as deodorant
Heavy metal poisoning
Medication side effects or interactions
Radiation exposure or radiation therapy
Trauma to the area under the arm
Vitamin B12 deficiency (as in pernicious anemia)

Questions for diagnosing the cause of underarm symptoms

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your underarm symptoms including:

What underarm symptoms do you have?
When did you first notice your underarm symptoms?
Where exactly are your underarm symptoms located?
Are you experiencing any other symptoms with your underarm symptoms?
Are you taking any medications?

What are the potential complications of underarm symptoms?

Underarm symptoms vary widely in severity and underlying cause. Mild causes of underarm symptoms, such as an ingrown hair follicle or a rash from a deodorant allergy, will often resolve with no permanent complications. More serious causes of underarm symptoms, such as enlarged lymph nodes due to breast cancer, can have much more serious complications and may even be life threatening.

Because underarm symptoms can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

Adverse effects of treatment
Amputation
Lymphedema (swelling caused by blockage of the lymph channels)
Paralysis
Scarring and skin disfigurement
Spread of cancer
Spread of infection
Unconsciousness and coma
Weakness (loss of strength)

If your underarm symptoms are persistent or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.