What could be the cause of pain under my right armpit?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain under the right armpit can stem from many causes, ranging from minor issues like muscle strain, skin irritation, or swollen lymph nodes to more serious conditions such as nerve compression, infections, or underlying illnesses that require medical evaluation.

Because the armpit contains muscles, nerves, lymph nodes, and blood vessels, identifying the exact cause on your own can be difficult—yet knowing the source is key to getting the right treatment quickly. Rather than guessing or waiting to see if it worsens, take a few minutes to complete a free, instant, online symptom check. It's a fast, private way to better understand what may be causing your discomfort and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

When you feel pain under your right armpit, it might be caused by something as simple as a muscle strain or tightness, but it could also be linked to issues with nerves or other internal causes. For example, sometimes pain in the right arm or armpit can be connected with the heart, as one study found that understanding where pain travels can help tell heart conditions apart from other causes. Other research has shown that consistent pain (more than a few weeks) in the armpit might be related to problems involving the nerves that come from the upper back or neck, which can sometimes be due to tumors or other growths. There is also a form of pain called "Web Axillary Pain Syndrome" that doctors have described, which could be related to how nerves or muscles work in that area. Because so many things can cause this pain, you can start by using a free symptom checker to help identify possible causes and determine if you need to see a healthcare provider for a careful examination and tests to find out what is causing your pain and get the right treatment if needed.

(References)

Berger JP, Buclin T, Haller E, Van Melle G, Yersin B. Right arm involvement and pain extension can help to differentiate coronary diseases from chest pain of other origin: a prospective emergency ward study of 278 consecutive patients admitted for chest pain. J Intern Med. 1990 Mar;227(3):165-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1990.tb00138.x. PMID: 2313224.
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.
Agostini F, Attanasi C, Bernetti A, Mangone M, Paoloni M, Del Monte E, Mammucari M, Maggiori E, Russo D, Marzo RD, Migliore A, Paolucci T. Web Axillary Pain Syndrome-Literature Evidence and Novel Rehabilitative Suggestions: A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 2;18(19):10383. doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910383. PMID: 34639683; PMCID: PMC8507961.

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