Simon Fearn
Following viral warnings that anyone with a puffed pit could be suffering from a serious health issue, a doctor has spoken out to clear things up.
TikTok has recently become full of people offering close up views of their armpits, comparing concave pits (i.e. a hollow when you raise your arm), to armpits with a more puffy appearance.
Dozens of content creators have warned that you should ‘have a pit, not a puff’, and it could be a sign you need to visit your doctor.
But now Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph, has said that in the majority of cases this is simply normal bodily anatomy - although there are a few telltale signs that something could be wrong.
Dr Merrifield told Tyla that for most people, a puffy armpit is ‘just normal breast tissue or normal body fat distribution’, although it ‘could be a sign of an underlying health condition’.
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Confused as to why breast tissue would be in your armpit? Dr Merrifield explained that breasts are actually ‘not perfectly rounded’, instead ‘shaped like a comma, with the tail angled towards the armpit’.
She continued: “The tail is called “axillary” (another word for armpit) breast tissue.
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“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.”
This fatty tissue under your arm should be included in your regular checks for lumps on your breasts.
Dr Merrifield also says you should ignore influencers ‘advising on lymphatic drainage techniques to help with the appearance of puffed armpits’.
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She said: “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.”
On rare occasions, a puffy armpit could be a sign of ‘enlarged lymph nodes, related to infection, inflammation or cancer’.
Don’t panic though, as this will feel totally different to normal puffy armpits so you should be able to check.
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Dr Merrifield said: “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.”
In some cases, a puffed armpit could also mean a ‘a benign fatty tumour called a Lipoma’, but again this is easy to spot as it only tends to happen on one side.
Dr Merrifield said: “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.”
In the case of axillary breast tissue, Dr Merrifield says 'it’s not possible to make this tissue smaller’.
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She added: “Maintaining a healthy weight and strength training will improve the definition around your armpit and is the best thing you can do for your overall health.
“Like anything that bothers you cosmetically, there may be the option to have surgery to improve the appearance, but this isn’t something to rush into.
“Moisturising, gentle massage, upper body strengthening exercises and things like yoga can help with improving armpit definition.”
Her key takeaway: “If you notice any changes in the appearance of your armpit, or you’re worried about swellings or lumps please go and get checked by your doctor as soon as you can.”