January 7, 2025, 4:07 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Itchy armpits are unpleasant – and can actually have dangerous causes. Often, there is a harmless skin problem behind it, but there are also some types of cancer that can cause itching under the arms. FITBOOK author Sandra Will reveals which symptoms you should look out for.
Sometimes, it itches under the arm on the left; sometimes it’s on the right: if you scratch your armpit occasionally, you don’t have a problem yet. It becomes problematic when the itching persists or the scratching does not lead to the itching subsiding. Only very few people know that this can also be a symptom of rare types of cancer. However, anyone who notices itchy armpits should first check their own hygiene habits. Only if the itching is more noticeable should you see a doctor.
Overview
Rather Harmless Causes of Itchy Armpits
If you have itchy armpits, you probably have a dermatological problem, i.e., a skin condition that has various causes and can also be temporary. Contact dermatitis, for example, is usually caused by allergens or an irritant that leads to redness and irritation on the skin. However, sometimes dermatitis (inflammatory skin reaction) is also atopic, i.e., a person cannot tolerate harmless substances from the environment. Otherwise, dermatitis is often triggered by chemicals that are sometimes found in soaps, deodorants, or detergents. If you want to find out whether it is due to certain substances, you can stop using all suspected products and gradually reintroduce them.
Another, more harmless reason for itchy armpits is bacteria that grow in areas where dirt and sweat easily accumulate due to a lack of hygiene – armpits, therefore, provide the perfect breeding ground, especially after sports and other physical activities that cause you to sweat. However, hyperhidrosis, a disorder of the sweat glands, can also lead to excessive sweating and, therefore, itching. If you have a rash in the skin folds (intertrigo) that is not treated, this can also lead to a bacterial or fungal infection.1
Women should also check their bras, sometimes the nickel, rubber or latex they contain can also lead to this. Irritation and dryness can also be caused by a blunt razor blade or razor burn. It can help to stop shaving for a few days.
Itchy Armpits As a Symptom of Lymph Gland Cancer
Researchers have found that itchy armpits can indeed be a symptom of certain cancers, including lymphoma and breast cancer. Lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, can cause swelling of the lymph nodes, commonly found in the armpits, groin, or neck. Although there are over 70 different types of lymphoma, doctors distinguish between two main types:2
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Although this cancer type is rare, about 30 percent of patients experience itching. In this type of lymphoma, malignant cells, known as Reed-Sternberg cells, invade the lymph nodes or other tissue. The resulting itching is not usually associated with a visible rash and cannot be relieved by scratching.3
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Around 15 percent of patients with this type of lymphoma struggle with itchy armpits. This type of cancer involves T-cell and B-cell skin lymphomas that lead to a rash accompanied by itching. The rash may present as small, red skin patches, called mycosis fungoides, resembling conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis.4 However, the skin can also thicken and harden in certain areas and papules can develop, which enlarge over time and become nodules or tumors.
Itching As a Sign of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
A rare form of breast cancer – known as inflammatory breast cancer – can cause itchy armpits.5 Unlike other types of breast cancer, where a lump in the breast or a change in the tissue are the first symptoms, inflammatory breast cancer causes inflammation of the skin over the affected breast.
The breast often becomes painful, swollen, red, or itchy. These are symptoms that doctors may initially mistake for an infection and treat with antibiotics. If these do not help, tests for cancer are usually carried out, such as a mammogram or ultrasound. However, itching is not the only symptom of inflammatory breast cancer; other signs may include:
- Skin changes such as thickening or dimpling,
- Swelling that makes one breast appear larger, warmer, or heavier than the other,
- Redness and discoloration of a breast that affects more than a third of the total breast area.
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When Should You See a Doctor?
Since underarm itching is frequently harmless, individuals may consider skincare products or friction as potential causes. However, if the itching persists for a longer period of time or is accompanied by severe discomfort, a visit to the doctor is advisable. Swelling and severe redness, in particular, may be caused by another condition that requires medical attention.