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Published on: 3/5/2025

How Common Is Right Armpit Pain and What Are the Potential Causes?

Right armpit pain is not very common and often comes from swollen lymph nodes due to infections or other conditions, though there are other less frequent causes.

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Explanation

When you feel sharp or sore pain in your right armpit, one common reason is swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes help your body fight off germs, and sometimes they swell when you have an infection. For example, cat-scratch disease is an infection from a scratch by a cat that can make the lymph nodes in your armpit tender. In other cases, conditions like Castleman’s disease, which affects the lymph nodes, might appear as a painless mass but sometimes cause discomfort. In children and adults, lymph node disorders can lead to pain in the armpit if the nodes become inflamed or irritated. Other possible causes might include injuries, strains, or skin infections that affect the sweat glands and tissues in the armpit. Because each situation is different, if you have pain that does not go away after a week or two, or if you notice other symptoms like fever or swelling, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor. They will help figure out exactly why the pain is happening and choose the best treatment to help you feel better.

(References)

  • Qureshi FG, Newman KD. Lymph Node Disorders. Pediatric Surgery. 2012:737–43. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-07255-7.00057-X. Epub 2012 Feb 17. PMCID: PMC7158302.

  • Papazafiropoulou AK, Angelidi AM, Kousoulis AA, Christofilidis G, Sagia C, Kaftanidou L, Manoloudaki K, Tsavari A, Kranidiotis G, Kamaratos A, Melidonis A. A Palpable Painless Axillary Mass as the Clinical Manifestation of Castleman's Disease in a Patient with Hepatitis C Disease. Case Rep Med. 2016;2016:1970276. doi: 10.1155/2016/1970276. Epub 2016 May 22. PMID: 27313621; PMCID: PMC4893446.

  • Hermansyah D, Al Anas M, Firsty NN, Alianto R. Cat-Scratch Lymphadenitis Presenting with Right Upper Arm and Axillary Masses: a Case Report Mimicking Lymphoma and Potential Diagnostic Pitfall. Med Arch. 2022 Dec;76(6):480-483. doi: 10.5455/medarh.2022.76.480-483. PMID: 36937617; PMCID: PMC10019884.

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