What Causes Lump In Underarm After Delivery?

Posted on Fri, 7 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 7 Nov 2014 Answered on

Mon, 1 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Just had a baby, four days ago, however there is lump about the size of an almond under my right armpit that seems to have developed overnight, during the ate stage of pregnancy there was a slight swelling there but this looks like it just came overnight, already breast feeding .. Scared silly whats going on?

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us about it.

There are so many causes of your symptoms like boil, lipoma, mastitis, lymphangioma, cancer and so on

Before giving my opinion to you I want to ask a few questions from you.

Are you experiencing any associated symptoms like fever, pain and discharge?

Is lump associated with lymph node enlargement?

Any abnormal discharge from nipple?

Please revert back to me with my answer so I am able to impart my opinion to you.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (21 minutes later)

Ok thanks,to answer your questions. No there is no pain, fever, or discharge, and I do not know if its associated with lymph node enlargement, like I said just discovered a slight swelling under the right armpit late stages of the pregnancy, and put it down to hormones, no abnormal discharge from nipples, I checked cos I wanted to be sure nothing is coming out of the breast that will affect my baby, the only other thing though is my feet are still swollen though my doctors say that will clear out soon as the body gets rid of excess water, my blood pressure was normal during pregnancy it's still normal. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wait and watch for 2-3 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Nice to hear from you again though.

I have worked through your history and if you are not having any pain or fever, then chances of infection are very less in your case.

As you said before, it appears in late trimester of pregnancy, it can be a normal symptom of pregnancy because after second trimester breast tissue getting enlarged and prepare for lactation ( due to hormonal changes) and there tail produce lump in the armpit.

It can be a clogged sweat gland, lymphoma or blocked breast duct.

You can wait and watch for 2-3 days if it will not resolve then consult your treating doctor and get it examine by your doctor and get ultrasound examination done to rule out the cause.

Hope it is useful, feel free to ask more.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju