Causes
The causes of lymph node swelling in the armpit are manifold. In most cases, these lymph nodes react to an infection, for example a flu-like infection of the respiratory tract. The immune system defends itself against the pathogens and kills them, resulting in the reactive enlargement of the lymph nodes.
In both bacterial and viral infections, the lymph nodes can show this reaction. Examples of such infections are Pfeiffer’s glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis, EBV), measles, rubella, tuberculosis and syphilis. Other pathogens can also cause such an immune reaction, for example in the context of malaria or toxoplasmosis.
After a vaccination against infectious diseases, lymph node swelling can also occur. Pathogens can also enter the body through small skin wounds or other traumas and cause swelling of the lymph nodes. Finally, there are rheumatic diseases, which are often accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes.
For example, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Benign systemic lymph node swelling causes sarcoidosis. If lymph nodes in the armpit are enlarged, malignant diseases must also always be taken into account, such as breast cancer or lymphomas (Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma).
Malignant diseases such as breast cancer or lymphomas (Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) must always be taken into account when considering lymph node enlargement in the armpit. In the course of a cold, it is not uncommon for some lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy). The lymph nodes of the neck are most frequently affected in this case.
There may be swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, above the collarbone, on the neck and in the area of the lower jaw. Less frequently, lymph nodes in the armpit area are affected. The lymph nodes are well movable against the surrounding tissue and the swelling subsides after a few days.
The swelling is caused by the viruses that are often present in the body when a cold comes, and as the cold progresses they enter the lymph nodes. If the cells of the immune system in the lymph nodes come into contact with the pathogens, they multiply.This leads to a swelling of the lymph nodes. It is not uncommon for the lymph nodes around the vaccination site to swell after vaccination.
After a vaccination, the lymph nodes in the armpit may become swollen because the body produces so-called antibodies against the injected vaccine. This is due to the fact that partially killed or inactivated pathogens or pathogen components are injected into the body during vaccination. Especially when vaccinating with live vaccines, such as measles mumps rubella vaccination (MMR vaccination), chickenpox vaccination and yellow fever vaccination, such a vaccination reaction can occur because a small amount of live pathogens are injected.
This is similar to a real infection, so that the body reacts to the pathogens as in a real infection. Since there are many immune cells in the lymph nodes, they enlarge reactively. This in turn means that it is not unusual for the lymph nodes to swell slowly shortly after vaccination.
The swelling can last for several days, even weeks. However, it should have reached its maximum within the first 1-2 days, otherwise the swelling is more likely to be caused by another cause. The swelling of the lymph nodes after vaccination usually goes down by itself and has no disease value.
It is often accompanied by symptoms such as exhaustion and tiredness. They are reduced after a few days. Nowadays, vaccination is usually administered to the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
This muscle is located in the direct vicinity of the armpit, which is why the lymph nodes there often swell up following vaccination. This is therefore not unusual and usually disappears again after a few days. The lymph nodes in the armpit can also swell during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This is usually not a sign of a serious illness, but often occurs in the context of infectious diseases, for example, a cold. The swelling indicates that the body reacts to pathogens and fights them. If additional symptoms of the disease persist or worsen over a longer period of time, a doctor should be consulted as a precaution to ensure that the pregnancy and the baby are not exposed to any danger.
The arbitrary taking of medication should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it can be harmful to the unborn child or infant. If the lymph nodes in the armpit swell up without any apparent reason, i.e. without any symptoms of illness, this should be observed and also clarified by a doctor. For example, the doctor may order an ultrasound examination of the armpit to further clarify the swelling of the lymph nodes.
Some women occasionally complain of swollen lymph nodes before the start of the female cycle, especially in the armpit area. This does not seem to be unusual, but the cause is not entirely clear since lymph node swelling is not actually related to hormone levels. If the swelling persists over a longer period of time, a doctor should be consulted.
Lymph node swelling is also often a sign of infection in children. Sometimes harmless colds are the cause, but more serious infections such as scarlet fever, measles or rubella can also be the triggering cause. All three diseases have in common, however, that the lymph node swelling mostly occurs in the neck area and rarely in the armpit.
Lymph node swelling that occurs after shaving is a very common phenomenon. Shaving often results in small lesions in the area of the skin surface. These lesions allow bacteria to enter the body.
These bacteria then reach the lymph nodes where they trigger an immune reaction. This means that the body’s defense cells in the lymph nodes perceive the pathogens and react with increased cell production, which leads to a swelling of the lymph nodes. The lymph node swelling is usually unilateral on the side of the lesion and lasts for several days.
It then disappears by itself. Lymph node swelling in the armpit is not usually related to the use of deodorants. However, if the armpit is shaved, germs can spread into the tissue through micro-injuries.
The lymph nodes located there react to the invading pathogens and combat them. This can lead to swelling of the lymph nodes.Swelling can also occur in the case of an intolerance reaction to a deodorant used, but in this case it is more likely that the tissue in general swells and not just a lymph node. Deodorants containing aluminum are also the subject of current debate.
This is suspected of promoting the development of breast cancer if it penetrates the tissue in the armpit through small shaving injuries. Breast cancer, in turn, can spread to the axillary lymph nodes and thus cause an enlargement of the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes can also swell after insect bites.
Either because the insects themselves were carriers of a pathogen (this is rather rare in Europe) or because the bite or sting causes a tiny skin lesion that can be penetrated by the bacteria. These then lead to an activation of the immune defence cells in the lymph node and thus to a swelling of the lymph node. In rare cases, a swelling of the lymph node can be a sign of cancer.
The lymph nodes collect the lymph fluid from various parts of the body to examine it for toxins, toxins and pathogens, filter it and prepare the body for them. Besides pathogens, malignant tumor cells can also enter the lymph fluid and be transported to the nearest lymph node. The cells can multiply there and form so-called “lymph node metastases“.
More rarely, the lymphocytes present in the lymph node can also undergo malignant changes and lead to lymph gland cancer, which develops in the lymph nodes themselves. In both cases, the lymph nodes swell up after a while and can spread to all surrounding lymph channels and lymph nodes. The lymph node is typically not painful. Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can often represent metastases from breast cancer, which often manifests itself in this region.
- Symptoms of lymph gland cancer
- Lymph node involvement in breast cancer
