There are lymph nodes in the whole human body. In the body there are more than 150. However, the largest accumulation of lymph nodes is located in places that are subjected to the most frequent attacks of microbes and bacteria. Therefore, in the event of inflammation or discomfort in the groin, armpits and neck, special attention should be paid.
In the normal state of the human body, the lymphatic system does not cause serious concern. However, in some situations, a person experiences pain in the armpits. First of all, this may indicate that there was an increase in lymph nodes (lymphadenitis). It is worth considering in more detail why such formations appear and how to cope with them.
Causes of the disease
If the lymph node under the arm is enlarged, then this phenomenon can provoke a huge number of factors. As a rule, a similar pathology develops due to chronic inflammatory processes that occur in the internal organs. This is due to the fact that bacterial infections constantly penetrate the human body, which must be neutralized as soon as possible.
If we talk about the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes under the armpit, then among them it is worth considering the most common ones.
- Viral disease. As a rule, inflammatory processes in the area of the lymph nodes are caused by ailments of the throat (for example, tonsillitis, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other infections). In order to get rid of the inflammatory process in the lymph node, it is enough to cure the underlying disease, and then all body systems will return to normal.
- Viruses or bacteria. Lymphadenitis can appear in a person against the background of staphylococcus or streptococcus.
- Oncology. If we talk about diseases of this type, then an enlarged lymph node under the arm most often appears against the background of breast cancer. However, in the case of the appearance of tumors in the lungs and throat, the symptoms will be similar. Often, a malignant formation affects the lymph nodes themselves.
- Thrombophlebitis. Lymphadenitis is provoked by blockage, which leads to inflammatory processes in the armpit.
- Toxic poisoning. If poisons get into the human body, then the protective system will try to remove them primarily with the help of sweat glands. Most of them are in the armpits.
- Allergy. In this case, the principle of action will be the same as with toxic poisoning.
- Hyperhidrosis. If a person suffers from very strong perspiration, then in this case the glands in the axillaries are forced to collide with a huge number of bacteria. In this case, the lymph nodes are not always able to perform their main task, which is why their inflammation occurs.
- Furunculosis. If a person suffers from inflammation of the hair follicles, then this also often leads to pathology.
If we talk about enlarged lymph nodes under the armpit in a child, then most often babies suffer from colds. In adolescents, the body is rebuilt, which leads to increased sweating.
Signs of pathology
If we speak in symptoms that indicate a change in the size of the lymph nodes under the armpits, then it is worth paying attention to the fact that each situation is individual. It all depends on the condition of the person and his immunity.
In some situations, lymphadenitis develops very quickly, and in others it proceeds in a chronic form. Symptoms will be less pronounced if a person suffers from the chronic stage of this ailment.
It is worth paying attention to several factors that may indicate that the patient has problems with lymph nodes under the arm.
First of all, you need to pay attention to resizing nodes. It is necessary to make an independent palpation. If a person experiences strong pain when pressing on the armpit area, then this is a serious sign of malaise.
Also, a specialist should be consulted if a person suffers from discomfort when moving with his hands, elevated body temperature, the appearance of edema and redness on the skin in the area of the affected area. In case of loss of limb sensitivity, you should immediately seek help.
Acute stage of lymphadenitis
If we are talking about this kind of pathology, then it is worth paying attention to several stages of the course of the disease. At the first stage, a person observes a slight increase in lymph nodes under the armpit and experiences pain when pressed on them. Some pay attention to the appearance of solid formations, which gradually begin to change in size. If these inflammations do not pass over a long period of time and become larger, then you should immediately consult a specialist.
In the second stage, in addition to the fact that the person has lymph nodes under the armpits, he has a fever. Patients complain of problems with sleep, apathy and chills. Many suffer from severe headaches.
If the pathology reaches the third stage, then in this case pus begins to accumulate in the lymph nodes. In this case, a person will experience severe malaise. Patients complain that they have severe pain in the lymph nodes under their arms and critical body temperature jumps. In this case, you need to call an ambulance. Accumulation of pus is very dangerous.
Lymph node under the arm: which doctor to consult
To determine the presence of this pathology, it is first necessary to visit a therapist. After examining and clarifying all the symptoms that concern the patient, the specialist will direct him to the specialist.
Most often, you need to visit an ENT specialist, a dentist and a mammologist. They will help to find out the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes under the arm. In addition, laboratory tests are carried out, including the study of blood tests. If this is not enough, then the specialist asks for a chest x-ray to rule out the possibility of tuberculosis. An ultrasound will also be required in the rarest situations, a biopsy. The last event is carried out only if the treatment of inflammation of the lymph nodes under the arm for a long time does not give any result.
Therapy
It all depends on the individual characteristics of a particular person. However, first of all, you need to consider the primary disease that causes health problems. When the lymph node under the arm becomes inflamed, what to do is determined by the doctor. If the malaise is caused by a bacterial infection, then the specialist most often decides to prescribe a course of antibiotics.
If viruses are found in the body, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended. If the protective functions of the body can not cope with their functions, then you need to take a course of immunomodulators.
Additional therapy
In addition to drug treatment, physiotherapy is widely used. For example, if the lymph node under the arm is inflamed, what to do is to ask your doctor. He can prescribe a course of electrophoresis. In this case, a person is exposed to insignificant electric discharges of current, due to which drugs penetrate the body cells faster and better. Good results are given by ultrasound therapy.
If a person is diagnosed with the last stage of the pathology, and pus begins to accumulate in the lymph nodes, then in this case one cannot do without surgical intervention. In this case, the affected area is cleaned of foreign masses and drainage is performed. After this, the person undergoes rehabilitation therapy.
Local treatment
If pus does not accumulate inside the lymph nodes, and the pathology itself does not cause serious concern for a specialist, then he may decide to limit himself to anti-inflammatory ointments and other means. Also, such drugs are used as a complex treatment in conjunction with the use of drugs taken orally.
When treating inflammation of the lymph nodes under the arm, Troxevasin and heparin ointment are most effective.
Complications
If lymphadenitis cannot be cured in a timely manner, especially in the presence of pus, then this can lead to serious consequences. First of all, the functioning of the lymphatic system worsens, which affects blood circulation.
If the pus that is in the node passes into the arm or chest, this can provoke a serious condition.
You need to understand that this pathology develops very unpredictably and can affect many body systems. A person may develop thrombophlebitis, general infection and other unpleasant pathologies.
Features of the development of the disease in women
Due to the location of lymph nodes under the armpit in close proximity to the mammary glands, there are several pathological processes that can lead to the development of an ailment in women.
- Mastitis. This disease is diagnosed in nursing mothers in a situation where the milk ducts are clogged. In this case, women suffer from extreme heat, chills, and general deterioration.
- Benign breast tumor. In this case, we are talking about a cyst or fibroadenoma. It must be borne in mind that a tumor can form in a woman’s breast completely invisibly to her. The only weakly expressed sign of this unpleasant ailment is a slight increase in the lymph nodes of the axillary region.
- Malignant tumor. As in the previous case, when this ailment appears, an increase in nodes occurs, only a little more noticeably. If a woman suffers from inflammatory processes that occur in the armpit for more than 6 months, then in this case it is imperative to conduct a biopsy of the lymphatic tissues.
Treatment with folk remedies
First of all, you need to understand what kind of disease led to a similar pathology. If we talk about natural remedies, then it is possible to get rid of lymphadenitis with the help of various compresses, infusions and decoctions. However, it all depends on the stage and neglect of the disease.
- Ginseng tincture. As you know, this plant has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, ginseng improves the immune system. For the treatment of lymphadenitis, it is necessary to purchase a tincture of this plant in a pharmacy and take it 10-15 drops (with a small amount of water) 2 times a day.
- Aloe. If you use the juice of this plant, then you can pretty quickly get rid of the inflammatory processes that occur in the body. You need to drink a teaspoon of aloe juice twice a day. To prepare this liquid, it is enough to cut off one leaf of the plant, grind it and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.
Prevention
In order to resist inflammatory processes, a person must strengthen his immunity. To do this, stop drinking alcohol and smoking. It is necessary to eat only healthy foods, to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is advisable to engage in sports exercises to increase the efficiency of the lymphatic system.
It will not be amiss to periodically take vitamins. This is especially true for off-season periods, when the human body is most susceptible to infections. All inflammatory processes in the body must be cured in a timely manner. The same goes for chronic diseases. It is very important to contact a specialist in a timely manner and undergo a scheduled inspection.