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Published on: 7/14/2026
Sharp pain under the right armpit is often caused by swollen lymph nodes, infections, muscle strain, or skin conditions affecting sweat glands and nearby tissues. Common triggers include viral or bacterial infections, overuse of the shoulder or chest muscles, ingrown hairs, cysts, or irritation from deodorants and shaving. In some cases, the pain may signal a more serious issue such as hidradenitis suppurativa, nerve compression, or, less commonly, breast tissue changes that extend into the underarm area.
Because armpit pain has many possible causes—ranging from minor to more urgent—identifying the source quickly helps you decide whether home care is enough or if you should see a doctor. The fastest way to narrow down what's happening is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. It takes just a few minutes, is backed by physicians, and gives you personalized insight into likely causes and recommended next steps—so you can act with confidence instead of guessing.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026
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Submit your own QuestionThere are a few things that might make you feel a sharp pain under your right armpit. One cause is swollen lymph nodes—a condition called adenopathy. Lymph nodes can become painful when they swell because your body is fighting an infection or dealing with an autoimmune condition like mixed connective tissue disease or psoriatic arthropathy. When the lymph nodes are enlarged and tender, you might feel a quick, sharp pain in your armpit. Another possible reason is a skin issue affecting the sweat glands, such as axillary osmidrosis. Although this condition usually changes how your skin smells, if the bacteria balance on your skin is disturbed, it can sometimes lead to irritation or even infection, causing pain. Also, besides these, injuries or strain in the muscles or tissues around your armpit may cause similar sharp pain. If the pain continues, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms like fever or swelling, you can use a free symptom checker to help identify potential causes before speaking with your doctor, who can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the best treatment to help you feel better.
(References)
Li P, Chen S, Li P, Xu D, Tang X, Liao J, Xie H, Li G, Kuang Y, Su J, Tang S, Zhou J. Treatment of Axillary Osmidrosis by Rebalancing Skin Microecology With _Lactobacillus bulgaricus_. Front Microbiol. 2022 Apr 14;13:821696. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.821696. PMID: 35495721; PMCID: PMC9048734.
Giambersio E, Magni V, Sardanelli F. Bilateral lymphadenopathies on mammograms: a case of mixed connective tissue disease and psoriatic arthropathy. BJR Case Rep. 2023 Jan 23;9(2):20220077. doi: 10.1259/bjrcr.20220077. PMID: 36998332; PMCID: PMC10043603.
Maini R, Nagalli S. Adenopathy. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558918/
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