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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Could Cause Sharp Pain in My Left Armpit That Comes and Goes?

Sharp, come-and-go pain in your left armpit could be due to nerve irritation, muscle issues, or, in rare cases, a small mass pressing on nerves. These causes may make the pain feel sudden and temporary.

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Explanation

There are several reasons you might feel sharp pain in your armpit that comes and goes. One possibility is that a nerve in the upper chest or back is being irritated or pinched. Nerve irritation can send sudden, sharp signals that hurt for a short time. Sometimes, a condition called complex regional pain syndrome can occur when a small growth, like a lipoma (a fatty lump), presses on nerves. Even if you do not feel the lump, it might cause brief bursts of pain. Stretching or movement can also put pressure on sensitive areas in that region, leading to temporary sharp pain. Another possibility is that the pain is linked to a general nerve issue without a clear lump or injury. Most of the time, these conditions are not serious, but they can be annoying when they happen. If the pain continues or worsens, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider who can make sure that there isn’t an underlying problem that needs treatment.

(References)

  • Rubin DI, Shuster EA. Axillary pain as a heralding sign of neoplasm involving the upper thoracic root. Neurology. 2006 Jun 13;66(11):1760-2. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000218165.93659.6c. PMID: 16769959.

  • Mikolajczyk AE, Zhang L, Zaman A. Atypical cause of axillary pain. _Am J Med_. 2016;129(2):e29-e30. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.09.039

  • Patel RH, Sheth R, Hus N. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Caused by an Axillary Lipoma. Cureus. 2020 Dec 25;12(12):e12280. doi: 10.7759/cureus.12280. PMID: 33510987; PMCID: PMC7828746.

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