Doctor warns to check whether your armpit has a ‘puff’ instead of a ‘pit’

Doctors are encouraging people to check their armpits in case of any underlying health conditions

A puffy armpit can be "just normal breast tissue" or "body fat distribution", but doctors have warned people to check them in case of an underlying health condition.

Some TikTok creators have claimed that if you have a puff, your pit's lymphatic fluid must be drained.

Tyla spoke to Dr Claire Merrifield, who said this is not the case, and having a puffy armpit would likely suggest something else:

“It would be extremely rare for a healthy person who hasn’t had any lymph nodes removed to experience swelling due to lymphatic fluid, and it would usually indicate an underlying health concern.”

Why would our armpits be puffy?

Having a puffy armpit is “just normal breast tissue or normal body fat distribution”, according to Dr. Merrifield.

Your breast tissue is shaped like a comma, with the tail angled towards the armpit.

“Some people have more of this than others, and it may appear like you have a puffed armpit, but when you raise your arm, there’s still a concave hollow bordered by your arm muscles.”

So, what should we look out for if we have a ‘puff’ instead of a ‘pit’

According to Dr. Merrifield, a puffy armpit could suggest “enlarged lymph nodes, related to infection, inflammation or cancer”.

However, this is only on rare occasions.

Dr. Merrifield also notes that a normal puffy armpit would feel completely different:

“Lymph nodes tend to be quite firm, so wouldn’t feel like fat or fluid, more like a small ball under the surface of the skin.”

Dr. Merrifield says a puffy armpit could also be a sign of a Lipoma, a benign fatty tumour, but they are easy to spot as they only tend to happen on one side.

How to do a self-check on your breasts and armpits

According to the Irish Cancer Society, you should look out for these changes:

• A lump, any size, or thickening in your breast or armpit
• A change in size or shape – it may be that one breast has become larger
• A change in the skin of your breast – like puckering or dimpling
• A breast abscess (infected boil) – this may appear as a red, tender area on your breast
• A change in your nipple, like pulled-in, sunken, or flattened nipple
• An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples – the discharge may be blood-stained or watery
• A change on or around the nipple, such as a rash, or flaky or crusted skin
• Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone

To check your breasts:

1. Look for changes by using a mirror so that you can see the breasts from different angles.
2. Feel for changes: An easy way of feeling your breast is with a soapy hand in the bath or shower. Some women prefer to feel for changes while lying down.

Dr Merrifield says: 

“If you notice any significant changes to the size or shape of your armpit, or feel firm swelling, pain, asymmetry, or notice that the skin looks abnormal over the armpit, it’s vital you speak with your GP as soon as possible.”