When Do Itchy Armpits Suggest Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Marisa Garshick, MD
If you have itchy armpits but don't know the cause, cancer may be a concern. If so, keep in mind that cancer is not a common cause of armpit itching. Even so, itching in one or both armpits is a rare symptom of several types of cancer.
The cancers most associated with itchy armpits are inflammatory breast cancer and lymphoma.
This article will discuss itchy armpits and the accompanying symptoms that might signal cancer. Learn what you should do if you suspect that cancer is causing this symptom.
Siarhei SHUNTSIKAU / Getty Images
Itchy Armpit Symptoms and Characteristics
Itching under the arms can occur with or without a visible rash. It can also affect one or both sides of the body. The underlying cause of this symptom will determine how it presents.
Accompanying symptoms of itchy armpits not caused by cancer may include:
Red or pinkish rash on pale skin
Brown, purple, or ashen gray rash on skin of color
Irritation
Inflammation
Bumps or blisters
Swelling
Common noncancerous causes of itchy armpits include prickly heat, eczema, and Candida yeast infection.
Prickly Heat (Heat Rash)
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikato www.dermnetnz.org 2023.
Your armpits contain thousands of sweat (apocrine) glands. Each sweat gland has a duct (opening) that lets sweat exit the body through a hair follicle. When sweat ducts become blocked, heat rash (prickly heat) and intense itching can affect both armpits.
Prickly heat can also cause itching underneath the breasts, groin area, and in other body creases, such as elbows and knees.
Prickly heat causes an itchy rash of red spots or tiny, clear blisters (cysts). This rash may also cause a prickly or scratchy sensation.
If the cysts caused by prickly heat become inflamed or infected, a severely itchy and painful condition called hidradenitis suppurativa may result. Hidradenitis can sometimes resemble acne.
Eczema
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Eczema is a common skin condition that causes itching, dry skin, inflammation, and swelling.
Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, can cause symptoms such as itching on any part of the body, including the armpits. Other symptoms include dryness, redness, and swelling.
Contact dermatitis, another form of eczema, is caused by contact with a substance you're sensitive or allergic to. Contact dermatitis under the arms can be caused by ingredients in your deodorant or body lotion. It can also be caused by detergent residue on your clothing.
Candida Yeast Infection (Cutaneous Candidiasis)
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023.
Candida is a yeast that lives on the outer layers of the skin. If it penetrates the skin's inner layers, it can cause infection. This is most common in warm, moist body parts, such as the armpits and groin. Candida infection is earmarked by very itchy skin and a bump-filled rash.
Anyone can get a Candida yeast infection. People with diabetes and those with obesity may be more prone to this condition than others.
Additional Noncancerous Causes of Itchy Armpits
In addition to the common causes cited, these noncancerous conditions may also cause itching under the arms:
Intertrigo (an inflammatory rash seen in skinfolds due to friction and moisture)
Axillary folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles in the armpit)
Types of Cancer With Itchy Armpits as a Symptom
Itchy armpits are a rare symptom of two types of cancer.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of this disease. It most commonly affects just one breast (unilateral), although bilateral occurrence (affecting both breasts) is not unheard of.
This condition can cause a rash and persistent itching in one breast. In some instances, the itchy sensation may affect the underarm on the same side of the body as the breast. You may also feel swelling in the lymph nodes of that armpit.
Cancerous lymph nodes feel swollen or hard. If there are few or no cancer cells in the lymph nodes of the armpit, you may not have this accompanying symptom. Breast lumps and tumors are not common symptoms of this type of cancer.
Early signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:
Feeling of heaviness or warmth in one breast
Thickness or swelling
Discoloration over all or most of the breast. The skin may look red, pink, or bruised
Pitting or dimpling of the skin that gives it an "orange peel" appearance
Itchy welts or hives
Pain or burning sensation
Nipple inversion or flattening
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms usually develop over 3 to 6 months.
Lymphoma
Lymphomas are cancers that start in the lymph system. There are more than 70 types. Most are categorized as either Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause itching (pruritus) anywhere on the body. Common sites include the hands, feet, and lower legs, It's also possible to have a full-body itch. The itch caused by Hodgkin's is not accompanied by a visible skin rash.
Accompanying symptoms vary, based on the location of the lymphoma. They can include:
Swollen lymph nodes
low-grade fever and chills
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Feeling of fullness
Skin (cutaneous) lymphoma, which has several types, can also cause itching. Unlike the itch caused by Hodgkin's lymphoma, skin lymphoma itching is usually accompanied by a rash or lumps or bumps under the skin.
In its early stages, the skin rash caused by cutaneous lymphoma may resemble eczema or psoriasis. It can take many forms, such as pimple-like lesions, flat lesions, thickened plaques, or nodules or tumors under the skin.
How to Initiate Testing for Undiagnosed Cancer
If you're concerned that you may have cancer, talk to your healthcare provider. Testing must be done to confirm a diagnosis before treatment, if needed, can take place.
If itchy armpits are your only symptom, a healthcare provider may take a conservative approach to testing and treatment. They may recommend blood tests, such as those that look for tumor markers. A blood smear may also be done. It identifies abnormal blood cells which indicate lymphoma.
Your healthcare provider will check your underarm for swelling that might indicate lymph node involvement. If your lymph nodes feel swollen or hard, they will recommend a lymph node ultrasound (imaging using sound waves) and possibly a biopsy (removal of tissue to be analyzed in the lab).
If you have symptoms that affect your breast as well as your armpit, your healthcare provider will want to rule out mastitis. Mastitis is a breast infection that causes many of the same symptoms as inflammatory breast cancer. Mastitis is common during pregnancy and lactation (breast or chest feeding).
Mastitis is treated with antibiotics. If itchy armpits and other symptoms persist after treatment, your healthcare provider will recommend tests for cancer. These may include a breast biopsy or skin punch biopsy.
Dealing With Stress During Testing for Cancer
Going through testing and waiting for a diagnosis can be tremendously stressful. It can also drain your energy and make it hard to function. So, taking care of yourself during this time is very important.
Self-care looks different for different people. You may benefit from activities that take your mind off of waiting. Reading, watching movies, and exercising may help. Meditation and yoga may also help reduce feelings of anxiety.
Don't isolate yourself. Keep in touch with supportive family and friends. And don't indulge in negative habits like excessive drinking or overeating that may make you feel worse in the long run.
What Happens After Diagnosis
When you first get a cancer diagnosis, you may feel like the world is crashing down around you. Some people experience this as a time of scary unknowns.
Once you have a treatment plan in place, you'll be able to map out what the next weeks and months will bring. It may not be easy, but hopefully, you'll see progress.
It's typically recommended that you get a second opinion. This is never a bad idea and doesn't mean you don't trust the opinions of your current healthcare provider.
After a diagnosis, you'll move on to a cancer team that includes an oncologist who specializes in your type of cancer. Ask questions, and learn as much as you can about the diagnosis you've been given.
You'll want to know what stage your cancer is in. You'll also want to know what treatment options you have and why they're being recommended to you.
In addition to your treatment plan, continue with your self-care plan. You need to maintain your physical and mental health so that you are strong for what lies ahead.
Summary
Itchy armpits have many common causes. Rarely, this symptom can indicate cancer. The types of cancer most commonly associated with this symptom are lymphoma, and inflammatory breast cancer.
If you have an armpit itch that doesn't abate with skin care treatment, see your healthcare provider. They can assess your condition, and recommend treatment options.
If necessary, diagnostic testing for cancer may be done. These may include blood tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
