swollen lump under arm pit

[Sally B]

I am having a bump that appears once a month now for two months.  It is at my arm pit.  When it appears, it hurts and can hardly put my arm down to the side.  If I take motrin and put a hot moist cloth under my arm it goes away. Could this be serious?

[SHESHE61]

I HAVE A SWOLEN LYMPH NODE UNDER ARM PIT , NOW SHOTTY PELLET TYPE IN UPPER LEGS BACK, WAKE UP WITH UPPER LEG CRAMPS HIGH PLATLET COUNT, HIGH WHITE COUNT, BEEN ON 4 TYPES OF ANTI BIOTICS EXPERIENCING HAIR LOSS, ALSO ALWAYS TIRED. MY ARMS ITCH AT ELBOW JOINT AREAS INFECTED BY SCRATCHING DUE TO ITCHING. WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ARE TALKING OF BIOPSEY AFTER THIS DOSE OF ANTIBOTICS HELP, SHESHE61

[Duchess47]

Could be a cyst from shaving under arms, or swollen lymph node or from monthly period.  I have been told (regarding lymph nodes and cysts), if they are painful then they are generally not harmful.  Next time it flairs up see a doctor.

[charley1986]

It could be some kind of cyst as well.  I had one removed a few years ago in that area.  Putting hot/warm moist compresses on it helped to alleviate the pain - along with ibuprofen. I had to have it removed b/c like the person before me posted, it was in a spot where the underwire in my bra irritated it.  Hope this helps - Good luck.

[glad2bamom]

Do you notice that it relates at all to your menstrual cycle, either while you're on your period, or while ovulating?  It is not uncommon to have displaced breast tissue under your arm, and it can swell during hormone surges, etc.  Mine went crazy after my son was born, and I was lactating.  
Could be that is what you have.  My surgeon called it a "lipoma" which is another word for a fatty growth.  It wasn't a big deal, but I had mine removed b/c it rubbed against my bra and was constantly irritated and sore.