How Long Does Pain Under the Armpit Last? Understanding Duration by Cause

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

While many cases of armpit pain are temporary, with minor muscle strains often resolving in about a week, chronic conditions or infections can cause longer-lasting discomfort. The answer to how long does pain under the armpit last? relies heavily on identifying the specific underlying cause, as each has its own timeline and potential need for medical intervention.

Quick Summary

Armpit pain duration varies based on the cause, ranging from days for minor irritations to weeks or months for more serious infections or nerve damage. Understanding the source of the pain, whether from muscle strain, swollen lymph nodes, or a skin condition, is crucial for predicting its timeline and determining appropriate care.

Key Points

Duration Varies Greatly: The timeframe for armpit pain depends entirely on its underlying cause, ranging from a few days for minor issues to several weeks or more for infections or injuries.
Muscle Strain is Temporary: Pain from a mild muscle strain typically resolves within a week with rest, though more severe injuries may require more time to heal.
Infections Cause Temporary Lymph Node Pain: Swollen lymph nodes due to an infection or vaccine typically become less painful within one to two weeks as the body recovers.
Skin Conditions Have Varying Timelines: Minor skin irritation from shaving can resolve quickly, while chronic conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa cause recurrent pain.
When to See a Doctor: Seek medical attention if pain persists beyond two weeks, worsens, or is accompanied by red flags such as a hard, immovable lump, fever, or unexplained weight loss.
Home Remedies for Mild Pain: For minor causes, rest, cold or warm compresses, and over-the-counter pain relief can help manage discomfort.

The experience of armpit pain can be concerning, but its duration is often a strong indicator of its severity. Common culprits for temporary discomfort include muscle strains and minor skin irritations, which typically resolve within days or weeks. However, pain caused by infections or chronic conditions may last longer or recur. Knowing the source of the pain can help you anticipate its course and recognize when professional medical advice is needed.

Common Causes of Armpit Pain and Their Duration

Muscle Strain or Injury

A muscle strain is a common reason for temporary armpit pain, often resulting from overexertion during physical activity, such as weightlifting, or a sudden, incorrect twisting motion. The pain is caused by small tears in muscles like the pectoralis major or latissimus dorsi, which run through the chest and shoulder area near the armpit.

Typical Duration: Pain from a minor muscle strain should begin to subside within about a week with rest and proper care. More severe strains or tears can take several weeks or even months to heal completely.
When to See a Doctor: If the pain doesn't improve after a week of rest, or if you feel a pop, rip, or tearing sensation during the injury, see a healthcare professional.

Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)

Your armpits contain a cluster of lymph nodes that play a vital role in your immune system. When your body fights an infection, these nodes can swell and become tender, causing pain. This reaction is common with viral infections like the flu, mononucleosis, or even as a side effect of a vaccination.

Typical Duration: In most cases related to a common infection or vaccine, the swelling and associated pain will resolve as the illness clears, usually within one to two weeks.
When to See a Doctor: If swollen lymph nodes persist for more than two to four weeks, feel hard and immovable, or are accompanied by fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, seek immediate medical attention.

Skin Conditions and Irritation

The thin, sensitive skin in the armpit is susceptible to various issues that can cause pain. These can range from minor, temporary irritations to chronic conditions.

Shaving or Contact Dermatitis: Irritation from shaving or an allergic reaction to a new deodorant or soap can cause a rash and temporary pain. The discomfort should ease within a few days once the irritant is removed.
Folliculitis or Skin Abscess: An infected hair follicle (folliculitis) or a painful lump containing pus (abscess) can cause armpit pain. The duration of pain depends on the severity and whether treatment, such as antibiotics, is needed to clear the infection.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: This chronic inflammatory skin condition causes painful lumps, boils, and cysts in the armpits and groin. The pain is often recurrent or ongoing, requiring long-term management.
Shingles: Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, shingles can produce a painful, blister-like rash that affects one side of the body, including the armpit. The rash and associated nerve pain typically clear within a couple of weeks.

Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)

Several nerves pass through the armpit (known as the axillary region), including the axillary nerve and parts of the brachial plexus. Damage or compression of these nerves can cause radiating or electrical-type pain.

Typical Duration: Recovery time varies significantly depending on the nerve damage's severity. Minor nerve injuries may heal in a few months, while more serious issues can take longer. Physical therapy is often part of the recovery process.
When to See a Doctor: Persistent nerve pain, especially if accompanied by progressive numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand, requires immediate medical evaluation.

Hormonal Changes (Cyclical Mastalgia)

In some individuals, breast pain can radiate to the armpit due to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

Typical Duration: The pain is cyclical, typically occurring in the week leading up to a period and subsiding once menstruation begins.

Comparison of Armpit Pain Causes and Duration


Cause	Typical Duration	Key Symptoms
Muscle Strain	Days to a few weeks	Dull ache, pain with movement, can follow strenuous activity
Swollen Lymph Nodes	1 to 2 weeks (for infection)	Tender, sometimes painful lump; often accompanied by general illness symptoms like fever
Minor Skin Irritation	Few days to a week	Redness, itchiness, burning, or chafing; can be caused by shaving or new products
Shingles	About 2 weeks	Painful, blistering rash, usually on one side of the body
Nerve Pain	Months, can be longer	Sharp, electric-like, or radiating pain; may include numbness or tingling
Hidradenitis Suppurativa	Chronic, recurrent	Deep, painful pimple-like bumps that can develop into cysts
Hormonal Changes	Cyclical (around menstruation)	Breast soreness that radiates to the armpit, swelling

At-Home Remedies for Mild Armpit Pain

For minor causes of armpit pain, several at-home strategies can help provide relief:

Rest: Avoid activities that strain the armpit and shoulder area, particularly after a muscle strain.
Compresses: Apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce muscle soreness and swelling. For swollen lymph nodes, a warm, moist towel can be soothing.
Gentle Stretching: For muscle-related pain, light stretching can help improve circulation and relieve tightness as the pain subsides.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation.
Good Hygiene: Keep the armpit area clean and dry to prevent infections. Avoid harsh soaps or irritants.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most armpit pain is benign, certain symptoms warrant a visit to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Pain that lasts longer than two weeks without improvement.
Pain that worsens over time.
A new lump or swelling, especially if it is hard, immovable, or growing.
A lump accompanied by systemic symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats.
Radiating numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.

Conclusion

How long does pain under the armpit last? depends on the root cause, which can range from minor, self-resolving issues to more complex or chronic conditions. Paying attention to your symptoms and the duration of your pain is key to determining the right course of action. While home remedies can effectively manage mild, temporary pain, persistent or severe symptoms accompanied by concerning signs like lumps or fever should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional. An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment and lasting relief.

For more detailed information on specific symptoms and conditions, resources like those from the Cleveland Clinic can be helpful.

For more information on this topic, consult authoritative resources:

Cleveland Clinic: Armpit Lump: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Pain from a mild muscle strain in the armpit area usually resolves within about a week with rest. For more severe strains, the pain may last several weeks to months, and a doctor should be consulted if it doesn't improve with home care.

If caused by an infection or a recent vaccination, the pain and swelling from affected lymph nodes in the armpit should subside as the body recovers, typically within one to two weeks. If it lasts longer, a medical evaluation is recommended.

Armpit pain from minor irritation, such as from shaving or contact dermatitis from a new product, should resolve within a few days once the irritant is removed and appropriate gentle care is applied.

You should be concerned if armpit pain is persistent for more than two weeks, worsens, or is accompanied by a new, hard lump, fever, or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms warrant a medical consultation.

Armpit pain related to hormonal changes, like the menstrual cycle, is typically temporary. The pain is most severe just before a period and subsides shortly after it begins.

Armpit pain from a skin condition may be accompanied by visible signs like a rash, redness, itching, blisters (as with shingles), or pimple-like bumps or boils (as with hidradenitis suppurativa).

Yes, nerve pain in the armpit from an injury or compression can sometimes last for months. The duration depends on the severity of the damage and may require physical therapy or other medical interventions.