Is a Painful Lump in My Daughters Armpit Serious?

Updated on January 04, 2018
M.B. asks from Anchorage, AK
14 answers

Hello-My 12 year old daughter was in bed and noticed that putting her arm against her side hurt, so she checked under her arm and she had a big marble shaped lump. It was hard to touch and it was hard to move around, it had a little sore on it in the middle. She hasn't started shaving yet, should I seek medical treatment.

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I get a painful lump in my armpit fairly regularly. I've had all the tests. Mine is nothing to worry about. From what you have described - I personally would not be too concerned, however I would still ask about it - especially if it doesn't go away. Mine comes and goes, tends to be with my cycle.

It could be an inflamed lymph node - has she been run down lately, sick, or even cut her arm/hand on that side of the body? It doesn't take much to get a swollen lymph node. My son once had a goose egg lump on back of his neck just from being run down from his allergies when we visited my sister for a day (she had a cat). His went away on it's own in due time. My kids have all had those at one time or another - they pass on their own.

I have a relative who works on the pediatrics team - what she always does with any kind of lump or streak or mark - is to outline it with a marker (sharpie) to see if it grows, and take photos on her phone. That way if she does go in, or if it grows or shrinks, she can compare it and knows what the lump/mark is doing.

Hope it goes away and you have nothing to worry about.

2 moms found this helpful

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M.6.

answers from New York on

I'd have it checked immediately. My girlfriend found a lump under her 3 year old daughter's armpit. It ended up being an extremely aggressive form of lymphoma. I saw the lump and it was something as a parent I likely would have dismissed - but she ended up having it checked that same day (mom instinct I guess).

Hard, non-moving lumps are nothing to fool with. I'd have it checked rather than wonder and be happy when it turns out to be nothing.

3 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

There are lymph nodes all over the body, including the armpit. They are part of the body's immune system, and they can become enlarged when the body is fighting an infection of some kind. They are often painful when pressed or moved around, so don't do that. Usually it's not serious, but there's no way to tell.

I don't know what you mean about a sore in the middle of it - that sounds odd.

What you do is call the pediatrician and discuss it. Don't go to the ER for this - but do call the regular doctor. Perhaps the doctor will want you to come in, or perhaps the doctor will ask you additional questions about other swollen nodes, fever, other symptoms of note. But both of you should leave the lump alone so it's not incredibly sore when the doctor sees your child.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

It sounds like a swollen lymph node but I'd have a doctor check it out asap.
I'd want to know for sure it's nothing to worry about - and if it is something serious - the sooner you start treating it the better.

1 mom found this helpful

D.D.

answers from Boston on

Could be a cyst or a swollen lymph node. I'd probably get it checked out by her ped just for the peace of mind.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.K.

answers from Miami on

Why live with that doubt? A quick visit to the pediatrician will put your mind at ease and confirm what it truly is. Yes, it could be cancer, but it could also be something as minor as an infected hair follicle. Instead of guessing or even ignoring something that could potentially become serious, why not just rule everything out by going to the doctor?

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Atlanta on

it's a lymph node most likely.
yes. she needs to see a doctor.WHY ON EARTH would you NOT take your daughter to a doctor for a lump??

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

Yes, you need to see the doctor. It's TOO BIG for you to try to pop it. DON'T do that. You could cause it to get infected.

Stop waiting on this and get her in to be seen.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

um.
yes.
?
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

when my daughter was 10 months old i found a lump in her leg. i called the dr as soon as the office was open. dr wanted to see her that day. after seeing her they wanted ultrasound of it, then mri, then surgical removal.
so with any lump in my kids i call the dr right away and make an appt to get it checked!

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Just call the doctor and ASK, I'm sure they will advise you to bring her in.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Yes, it sounds like she has a swollen lymph node. This is common but can mean she has a clogged...drain..that's how I think of the lymph system.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Sounds like a cyst and if so once it is lanced and drained it will stop hurting her. Just like a zit you should be able to pop it and drain it at home, you can bring it to a head with warm compresses, but if you have any concerns talk with her doctor. Although breast tumors can form under the arm if it was a tumor or something like that it would not be painful.

S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

It could be a cyst. Have you tried icing it? If she touched or messed with it at all before calling you it could be swollen or inflamed from that. I would either make an in person appointment or a phone call appointment with the doctor. They should know what it is right away. Best wishes

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