Swollen Lymph Nodes - Breast Cancer Center - Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Breast Cancer Swollen Lymph Nodes A few times recently, I've felt the lymph nodes in my armpits get bigger and become quite sore. Then after a few days, they go down and no longer hurt. Is this just a sign of a virus, or could it be something more serious? By Dr. Orli EtinginReviewed: August 28, 2006Fact-Checked How To Spot Changes In Your BreastsChances are this is not a serious condition, and here's why: Lymph nodes in the armpits are often "reactive" and enlarge as they work to drain infection from the arms or upper chest. If your lymph nodes are painful or tender to the touch, this is usually a good sign that they are just doing their job. And while enlarged lymph nodes can be a sign of a malignancy such as lymphoma, in that case the nodes would be harder and "matted" (nonmobile) and they would not hurt when touched. The fact that your lymph nodes recede and stop hurting suggests that they are reactive and not malignant, as malignant nodes do not disappear or go down significantly over time. So what causes reactivity? Viruses, for one thing, as well as your menstrual cycle, since there is often breast tissue in the armpit area and that tissue responds to hormones as they cycle. In addition, cuts on your fingers, nicks in your cuticles from a manicure, or a simple scrape on your hand can cause your lymph nodes to enlarge as your body fights off infection. Finally, and most commonly, shaving your armpits can cause your lymph nodes to change because hair follicles can become clogged and slightly inflamed. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Breast Cancer How to Avoid Pink Ribbon Pitfalls During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Before you donate to a breast cancer organization this month, make sure you know where your money’s going. By Leona VaughnSeptember 30, 2022 Cancer Me and My Solo RaftBy Denise SchipaniSeptember 13, 2022 Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Breast Cancer— Here' s What You Should KnowThe latest treatments and therapy approaches for metastatic breast cancer are helping patients live longer and offering new hope.By Cheryl Platzman WeinstockSeptember 7, 2022 Struggling With Insomnia During Breast Cancer Treatment Here s How to DealBreast cancer treatment can bring about many sleepless nights. Here’s how to get your sleep schedule back on track.By Carolyn BernhardtSeptember 7, 2022 Finding Ways to Heal in a Complex Healthcare SystemWhen Theresa Brown, an oncology nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she found herself on the receiving end of getting care. The experience...By Lambeth HochwaldSeptember 6, 2022 Navigating Breast Cancer Treatment as a Black WomanWhen Asha Miller was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer 4 years ago, she couldn’t find the support she needed as a Black woman going through the experience...By Kaitlin SullivanAugust 24, 2022 One Woman s Mission to Help African Immigrants Navigate Breast Cancer CareIfy Anne Nwabukwu wants immigrant women in the Washington, DC, area to know that help is just around the corner.By Lambeth HochwaldAugust 24, 2022 Cutting Into Breast Cancer Disparities With Genetic TestingCancer researcher Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, MD, says, 'In the next decade, I predict we’ll see this kind of optimized treatment become available for everyone...By Susan K. TreimanAugust 24, 2022 The Long Day Recovering From My MastectomyBy Denise SchipaniAugust 23, 2022 Olivia Newton-John Pop Singer and Star of Grease Dies at 73Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and later became an advocate for breast cancer survivors.By Don RaufAugust 8, 2022 MORE IN Gender Dysphoria What It Is Symptoms Treatment and More What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis EoE Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Dehydration A Complication That May Arise From Diarrhea