Is an itchy armpit a symptom of cancer?

Most people might suffer itchiness on the armpit due to excessive sweating or bacterial infections. However, health practitioners say that an itchy armpit could be a symptom of lymphoma or inflammatory breast cancer. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes could swell, which is then seen in the armpits, hips or around the neck. There are more than seventy types of lymphoma. But, they have been mainly classified into Hodgkins Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Swelling in the lymph nodes, fever and chills, excessive sweating at night, rapid weight loss and lethargy are some of the symptoms of lymphoma. Meanwhile, inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of cancer that has itchiness as a major symptom. Tenderness in breast, swelling, reddish colour and itching are some of its symptoms. These are some of the other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
1) Changes in skin texture as the skin on the breast becomes thicker and orangish in colour.
2) One breast may appear bigger than the other due to inflammation.
3) One breast may be thicker and warmer than the other.
4) You may notice colour changes on one third part of a breast.
5) Nipple retraction.

In a 2022 study conducted in more than three lakh subjects, it was found that itching on the armpit without any specific reason may be a symptom of lymphoma. However, only 0.4 per cent of the subjects who participated in the study were diagnosed with cancer. If you feel itchiness on the armpit along with other initial symptoms of cancer, then do not hesitate to seek medical help. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute recommends seeking treatment if there is itching all over the body that lasts for more than two weeks. You should consult a doctor even if you suspect an itchy armpit as a symptom of skin diseases or infections.

Here's how to soothe an itchy armpit
There are many methods to prevent fungal and bacterial infections on the skin
1) Keep the skin dry
2) Always take a shower after working out
3) Pat dry your armpit after taking a shower
4) Wear sleeveless undergarments and loose t-shirts
5) Wear loose cotton outfits