Fortunately, there are a few home remedies for armpit lumps you can try to reduce the appearance of the lumps. However, if you experience other symptoms such as fever and the lump doesn’t go away, consult a doctor immediately. In this article, we look at some of the causes and symptoms of armpit lungs and a few natural remedies one can try at home.
Causes And Symptoms Of Armpit Lumps
The most common causes of painful lumps under your armpit are swollen lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are part of the lymph system that moves the lymph in and out of the bloodstream from the body tissues. These nodes filter the lymph fluid and can swell up due to the following reasons:
A bacterial, fungal, or viral infection in the arm or breast An infection in the entire body like AIDS or herpes Cancer (usually breast cancer or lymphoma)
Lumps in the armpits can also form due to:
Allergic reactions Benign fat tissue growths, known as lipomas Cysts
The most serious cause of these lumps is cancer. Hence, it is recommended to consult a specialist if they do not subside. The symptoms of armpit lumps are as follows:
Swollen lump in the armpit Inflamed and tender skin over the swollen lump Pain when the lump is touched Pain in the arm or chest area Discomfort while moving the arm
In most cases, the lump due to an infected lymph node or a simple fatty growth can be easily treated at home. Here is the list of home remedies for armpit lumps.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Painful Armpit Lumps
1. Warm Water Treatment
An age-old and simple home remedy to treat lumps is to apply heat to the swollen area. Although there is no scientific evidence, it is believed that this method may help reduce the swelling and pain in the affected area (1).
A small towel Hot water
Repeat the warm water treatment 2-3 times a day.
2. Massage
Studies have shown that massage can help in reducing pain (2). It can also help in improving blood circulation to the affected area and reduce swelling. Olive oil or coconut oil Do this 2 times a day.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E possesses anti-inflammatory properties (3). These properties may help in reducing the size of the painful lump in the armpit. Ensure you consume vitamin E supplements only after consulting your doctor. Vitamin E capsules Take a vitamin E capsule with water. Have one capsule every day.
4. Watermelon
Watermelon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4). These properties may help detoxify the blood, eliminate the lump-causing bacteria, and reduce the swelling in the affected area. Watermelon juice Have a glass of chilled watermelon juice with breakfast. Drink watermelon juice every morning.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (5). This may help reduce the painful swelling in the lump and heal it.
Fresh lemon juice Water Cotton ball
Reapply lemon juice 3-4 times on the painful armpit lump.
6. Nutmeg
Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (6), (7). These properties may help reduce pain and enable the body to fight infection and swelling caused due to bacterial infections.
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg powder 1 teaspoon honey A cup of hot water
Repeat this once every day to get rid of armpit lumps. Caution: Avoid this remedy if you have acidity.
7. Onion
The ever-popular onion may also be used to treat the lumps in the armpit. Onion juice possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (8). This can help in reducing the pain and inflammation in the armpit. An onion Extract the juice of an onion and gulp it down. You can add your favorite veggies to make the onion juice taste better. Drink a glass of healthy onion (and vegetables) juice every day.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties (9). It may help ease painful lumps and reduce swelling. The topical application of turmeric may reduce the urge to itch and fasten the healing process.
1 teaspoon turmeric powder A cup of hot milk
Drink a glass of turmeric milk every day, preferably before going to bed. Repeat the topical application of turmeric 2 times a day.
9. Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a critical role in promoting immune function (10). It helps in T-cell and B-cell migration and activity. It also aids lymphocyte function and has anti-inflammatory properties. When the body does not receive enough vitamin A from the diet, its immune response falters, and this increases the chances of developing an infection in the lymph nodes. Hence, you may increase the sources of vitamin A in your diet to reduce armpit lumps quickly.
A carrot A papaya
Do this daily.
10. Charcoal Compress
Activated charcoal may help reduce pain and inflammation. It absorbs toxins from the body and helps treat the infection (11).
1 teaspoon activated charcoal 1/2 teaspoon flaxseed powder Water Paper towel
Do this every 2 hours every day until the lump goes away.
11. Garlic
Studies have shown that garlic has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (12). Regular intake of garlic may help eliminate the infection that is causing your lymph nodes to swell up and reduce pain and swelling. Garlic is also an excellent detoxification agent.
2-3 garlic cloves A glass of lukewarm water
Do this every morning.
12. Contrast Baths
Contrast bath therapy involves using warm and cold water treatment to reduce muscle pains. The cold treatment may help ease the pain while the warm treatment might improve blood and lymph circulation (13), (14). This method may work as an effective home remedy to treat armpit lumps.
Warm water Cold water 2 buckets or tubs
If it is difficult to submerge the affected area in the tub, use two different cloth pieces soaked in the two tubs and place them on the armpit for the same time duration as mentioned above. Use contrast bath therapy 2 times a day.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that fight the infection (15). It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain and swelling.
Apple cider vinegar Water Cotton cloth
Repeat this a few times in a day. It is important to understand that all lumps in and around your breast are not a sign of cancer. Hormonal changes often lead to the formation of these lumps. If your lump does not subside in a week with these remedies, please consult a doctor. Here are a few pointers to bear in mind when you are dealing with an armpit lump.
A Few Tips For Healthy Armpits
Stay Hydrated – Most problems in the human body arise due to improper regulation of body fluids and blood. It is important to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and ensure proper blood circulation. This may help reduce the painful lumps to an extent since it may provide the necessary nutrition and antibodies. Reduce Caffeine Intake – Coffee and tea are rich sources of caffeine and can cause the lump to grow. Though there are no studies to link caffeine intake to lumps in the armpit, it is best to reduce your consumption of caffeine. Steer clear of aerated drinks and consume fresh fruit juices instead. Avoid Foods That Cause Pain – It is important to make a note of the foods that elevate the pain and swelling in the lumps. Avoid these foods to fasten the healing process. Maintain a food diary and note down any food items that tend to trigger the pain or increase inflammation. You will soon know what to consume and what not to when you have a lump in the armpit. Say No To Oily And Spicy Foods – These foods cause you to sweat more and can lead to more underarm sweating, which, in turn, may cause bacterial growth. The need is to keep the growth in check. Hence, avoiding these foods will help in getting the lumps to heal faster. Stay Clean – The armpits are one of the most active body parts that sweat due to excessive activity of the glands. Keep the underarms dry and clean to heal the lump faster. If the lump is caused due to a bacterial infection as a result of clogged pores, it will go away soon with proper hygiene. Consume fruits and vegetables. Avoid reheated and fried foods. Reduce the consumption of sweets. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep.
Some other tips to keep in mind are:
Do not share towels with someone who may have lumps. Bacterial infections are bound to spread. Avoid using another person’s toiletries. Do not use harsh soap on the lump. Use lukewarm water to clean the area several times a day and also during your bath. Do not pick on the lump or itch/scratch it as the infection can spread, leaving you with more painful lumps to deal with. Do not shave your underarms when you have a lump as it can further aggravate the condition. Do not use any luxury talcs or deodorants until the lump abates.
Visit a doctor if the lump does not subside in a week. They will prescribe antibiotics to control the infection.
When To See A Doctor
Sometimes, armpit lumps come and go without any pain or discomfort. Using the home remedies for armpit lump treatment can accelerate this healing process and not let them aggravate, especially in the case of infections. If the lump doesn’t heal even after a couple of weeks or seems to be worsening, please consult your doctor as you might need an antibiotic prescription. There are plenty of causes that can be responsible for that painful lump in the armpit. However, it is important to monitor it closely and not self-diagnose. Armpit lumps have been associated with breast cancer and lymphoma. Dr. Anna Chacon says, “Cancerous lumps are often huge, hard, and painless to the touch, and they emerge spontaneously. The bulk will continue to increase in size over the next weeks and months.” If you notice tenderness, redness, pain, or irregularity in size, seek medical advice immediately. Can deodorant cause a lump under the armpit? According to Dr. Chacon, “These can be caused by shaving or antiperspirant usage (not deodorants). This is especially common in teenagers who are just starting to shave.” When should I worry about a lump in my armpit? You may need to seek medical attention if your armpit lump doesn’t subside after 2 weeks of using natural remedies, or if there is accompanying tenderness, redness, pain, or irregularity in its size. Can an armpit lump be cancer? Yes, it may be a sign of cancer in some rare cases. It is important to remember that not all armpit lumps indicate cancer. What percentage of armpit lumps are cancerous? An unexplained armpit lump has around a 4% chance of being cancerous in individuals over 40 years of age and a 0.4% chance of being cancerous in those under the age of 40 (16).
