Itchy armpits are likely caused by a non-cancerous condition, such as poor hygiene or dermatitis. But in some cases the itch can be a sign of lymphoma or inflammatory breast cancer.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It can cause swelling of the lymph nodes, commonly in the underarms, groin, or neck.
Lymphoma can cause swelling of the lymph nodes, commonly in the underarms, groin, or neck.
While there are more than 70 types of lymphomas, doctor's typically divide lymphomas into two categories: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
About 30 percent of people with Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 percent of people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are affected by itching. This is referred to as Hodgkin itch or paraneoplastic pruritus.
Hodgkin itch typically is not accompanied by an obvious skin rash.
T-cell and B-cell skin lymphoma can produce a rash that accompanies the itch. This can have characteristics that include:
Breast cancer is cancer that develops in the breast cells. A rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer can cause symptoms that may include itching.
If your breast is tender, swollen, red, or itchy, your doctor might first consider infection rather than inflammatory breast cancer. The treatment for infection is antibiotics.
If antibiotics do not make the symptoms better in a week to 10 days, your doctor may perform tests for cancer, such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound.
Although itchiness, including in your armpit, can be a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer, it's typically accompanied by other noticeable signs and symptoms. This can include:
Your itchy armpits are likely caused by something other than cancer. Common causes include:
If your armpits are itchy, it's likely caused by a non-cancerous condition such as poor hygiene, dermatitis, or an allergic reaction.
In most situations, if cancer is behind the itch, there are other symptoms accompanying it. This can include swelling, redness, warmth, and skin changes like thickening and pitting.
If you think your itchy armpits may be indicative of cancer, talk to your doctor. After a diagnosis, your doctor can recommend treatment to address any underlying conditions that caused the itchiness.