People are gradually getting used to the fact that they should take proper care of themselves to sustain good health and prevent possible diseases. We pay enough attention to body parts but very often, we miss small areas. However, their importance shouldn’t be belittled. For example, the armpit area can hint at having certain diseases.
At Bright Side, we take care of our health and that’s why we want to share a list of symptoms with you that can appear in the armpit zone that that shouldn’t be ignored.
1. Smell
A sour smell in the armpit area is a natural occurrence. It happens due to bacteria that feel free and comfortable to grow in the zones with a lot of sweat. However, we all know that it’s quite easy to fight such a smell — just take a shower and use deodorant. But if your armpits’ smell is steady and strong, it’s the first sign of having potential health issues.
An unusual smell that can’t be removed even after taking a shower can be a signal of a hormonal disorder and thyroid dysfunction. If this smell resembles the scent of “rotten fruit” or “nail polish”, then it could be a signal of ketoacidosis — the loss of the body’s ability to metabolize sugar.
2. Itching
Again, feeling itchy in the armpit area after shaving is normal due to the growth of new hairs. But if the itchiness doesn’t stop, it’s another signal that there is something wrong within your body.
A severe irritation can be caused by the reaction of the skin to the razor, clothing fabrics, and substances that creams or deodorants contain. Red spots and dead cells usually appear together with such itchiness. If this happens, there is a chance your skin has a fungus that should be treated by a doctor.
3. Rashes
It’s always quite warm and humid in the armpit area, creating the perfect environment for reproducing various yeast infections. It’s impossible to learn what infection you’re suffering from without seeing a specialist, which is why you should address a doctor if you suddenly feel itchiness, redness, and small rashes on your skin. Such skin reactions can also be caused by friction from clothing, climate or allergies.
4. Pain
Painful feelings appearing in the armpits are no reason to rush to the doctor right away. This pain can appear due to hard physical labor after intensive training or after carrying heavy things. In these cases, it is temporary and will disappear soon.
However, if your painful feelings last for quite a while (for example, several days), then you should seek a consultation from a doctor. Though it happens rarely, this pain can signal about a formation of tumors in the lymph nodes.
5. Seals and lumps
The lymph nodes located in the armpits are completely invisible. But if you happen to spot some kind of sealing and swelling, it signals about the fact that your lymph nodes are trying to fight some newly appeared infection by themselves. The situation will normalize without outside interference after some time.
However, you should consult a doctor if the inflammation hasn’t disappeared by itself within a week. It can be a worrisome sign because swollen lymph nodes are a signal of a serious infection and sometimes even cancer.
6. Excessive sweating
It’s normal to sweat a lot if you’re doing intense physical activity but not if you’re sitting, walking or sleeping. These signs should alarm you. Hyperhidrosis can indicate a dysfunction in the levels of hormones that can be signaling an onset of menopause. Moreover, excessive sweating is one of the signs of diabetes and gout.
